Ping to the Swedish Ping List.
Posted on 06/18/2007 5:34:09 AM PDT by RogerFGay
STOCKHOLM -- Imagine a life where work is optional and the state guarantees a minimal standard of living regardless of employment or effort. Such a cradle-to-grave entitlement system has been the centerpiece of Swedish politics since 1932.
Last September, a political earthquake shook the Riksdag (parliament) here in Stockholm when Swedish voters decided to cast off former Prime Minister Goran Persson's venerable Social Democratic government in favor of a more market-oriented political alliance led by Moderate Party leader, Fredrik Reinfeldt. "They [the Social Democrats] were stunned," says Riksdag official Yngve Borgstrom, of the 2006 election. "They really didn't expect to lose their powerful positions."
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Ping to the Swedish Ping List.
"What a coincidence... we have no poverty among swedes in America either."
Milton Friedman.
---- To Sweden's credit, some of its economic reforms have already surpassed the United States. Its social security is partially privatized, the inheritance tax is eliminated, and most people no longer pay any primary residential property tax.---
I was in Stockholm in April. The cost of everything is outrageous. And this is why.
“I was in Stockholm in April. The cost of everything is outrageous. And this is why.”
Stockholm is expensive, but not to people from Stockholm.
Stockholm is very rich compared to most parts of Europe and the US.
Average US wages seem laugable to middle class inhabitants of Scandinavian cities like Stockholm, Oslo and Copenhagen.
Yeah, no. Swedish salaries are low compared to the US and other European countries. Well — people with “low income” jobs are sometimes better off in Sweden - at least relative to the rest of the Swedish population.
Although incorrect (because of tax burdens, etc.) the group Invest in Sweden Agency, has actually tried promoting investment in Sweden by characterizing it as a low wage country. Although wages are relatively low, the cost of employing is not. That tends to make improving overall employment following economic downturn quite difficult in Sweden (certainly compared to the US).
(Actually, I felt like choking them but that sounds mean)
I think you are talking out your @$$ here, FRiend.
There’s been a serious “brain drain” in Sweden as educated professionals experience life outside of Sweden and decide not to return. The solution proposed by the former Social Democrat government seemed to accept the phenomenon. They suggested the long-term need for greater immegration from third world nations that produced educated workers - who would be thrilled by the higher standard of living in Sweden. It’s part of what’s produced some disturbing political reactions in Sweden. The notion of preserving the current flavor of Swedish social democracy as a great alternative to third world poverty; actually switching out the population to a more appreciative bunch to do it; I guess that’s what “progressive” politics is all about.
Lived there two years.... great experience.... makes being back home in the USA that much sweeter....
Had tough problem hiring high tech Swedes to fill positions. None out there...all liberal arts types... always catching %ell for needing to recruit foreigners to do the jobs....
And lets NOT talk about taxes and the cost of stuff... hauled empty suitcases to the States and brought them back full - clothing, shoes, electronics, etc...
So happy my great grandparents had what it took to up and leave there in the 1800s.
No wonder they’re changing now... what is it? Maybe 30% of the population works and pays the outrageous taxes to support the other 70% (Old people, children, and Muslim immigrants)?
“In 2005, the median income for an individual age twenty-five or older in the labor force was $32,000 while the median income per household member was $24,000;”
(Quoted from Wikipedia. This info has been there for quite some time. If it had been erroneous, it probably would’ve been eradicated by now)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usa#Income_and_social_class
A median Swedish wage (including people of all age segments of the workforce) is today around $40 000 (according to different sources of statistics, like SCB and the unions). In this context, it ought to be remembered that “illegal” incomes (people often cheat the tax system) probably is way more common in Sweden than in the US.
In Stockholm, wages are considerably higher than in the rest of the country and in cities like Danish capital Copenhagen and Oslo, the capital of Norway, wages are even higher than in Stockholm. I recently read that local bus drivers in Copenhagen earn around $52 000 a year.
However, taxes are higher in Scandinavia compared to the US, but not as high as some people seem to think. Gas, groceries and clothes are also more expensive, but housing is comparatively cheap and building standards are often very good, especially in Sweden. Child care, education and health care is very affordable.
It’s always difficult to compare standards of living between different countries. One aspect is that currency exchange rate vary a lot over time.
People who claim the Swedish/Scandinavian Model is a “failed” societal concept or claim The American way is a less well functioning economic system often do so out of ideological reasons.
Both systems actually work very well and economic growth is way better in both Scandinavia and The US compared to 6 hour work day countries like France and Germany (I hope Sarkozy and Merkel will bring about great changes in these great nations).
Correction:
I wrote ‘income date’, naturally it’s ‘income data’.
Sorry.
Isn’t that median HOUSEHOLD income?
I’m comparing median WAGES.
These things must not be confused.
In places like inner London, Manhattan and inner Stockholm, a lot of people live in small condo’s/apartments despite being well off.
No doubt a lot of things are cheaper in the US than in Scandinavia, but from what I’ve found out (among other things from listening to Swedes who’ve lived in the US), the costs of housing are ridiculous compared to Sweden. I’ve also heard Americans saying our apartments seem quite affordable to them.
My point here isn’t that Swedish living standard is higher than that of the US (it’s more or less the same), my point is that Stockholm is a rich city with a lot of corporate HQ’s, therefore services like hotels and restaurants etc tend to be rather expensive compared to many parts of The US as well as Europe.
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