If Sweden were a US State, it would be the poorest state in the union

yahoo! finance ^ | 5/4/02 | reuters wire

[bourbon]

I hope this wasn't posted earlier. I don't think it was.

[Beep]

The Swedes over there would kick them out! No self-respecting Swede would have a thing to do with JJ and Sharpy. Swedes are a proud people, and believe in hard work -- not handouts. We have nothing in common with JJ and Sharpy.

Tiny rant before I go to sleep!

Tack sa myckett,
Sharon Johnson Mason Palmer

[LarryLied]

Few years back, Sweden decided to revitalize their economy by helping small businesses expand. When they looked around, they discovered they had killed off almost all of them off and there was no base to revitalize. One third of the people worked for large corporation, one third for government and one third did not work at all.

[Cold Heat]

LOL! And the democraps continually say, "Well, they do it in Sweden and look what it has done for them!"

[XBob]

I don't know how the Swedish economy fared vs the US economy at the time,but I do remember in 1971, a new Volvo in Sweden cost $18,000. While my income as a captain in the Air Force was $12,000, and my home in Florida was $15,000.

[sleavelessinseattle]

Deny human nature, go to the bottom of the list and work your way back up...Bump...The Demoroids...HA! Star Parker could straighten the Swedes out in 5 years, Ah tell ya what...Dang Ole Capitalist fireplug, nowhatamean?

[lewislynn]

If Sweden were a US State, it would be the poorest state in the union

I know but like they all have guns though...that would be kewl, right?

[sistergoldenhair]

ping

[patriciaruth]

This is huge news that we probably won't see anywhere else.
I remember some articles in the Los Angeles Times back in the eighties about New Zealand, the world's oldest socialist system, how they were having trouble financing their socialism because the third generation had no initiative to better themselves or work hard to help support the system that gave them cradle to grave "security."

I never saw any follow up information on this or any real news on how the socialist countries are actually doing. I would very much appreciate anyone who could direct me now or in the future to further solid information on this subject.

[patriciaruth]

FYI ping.

[Dales]

Is any nation that has ABBA truly poor?

[XLurk]

Socialism Rules!
They should all move to France.

[Sen Jack S. Fogbound]

Socialism works! Ask any Indians or Swedes!

[XLurk]

...New Zealand...were having trouble financing their socialism because the third generation had no initiative to better themselves or work hard to help support the system that gave them cradle to grave "security."...

As I remember it, the Kiwis had their chance back in the 80s, and blew it.

New Zealand is not only the oldest socialist country, but the ONLY one to every significantly roll back their socialism Non-Violently.

How it happened (as best I can recall, without rooting around on the hard drive) - back in the 80s, the Kiwi government piled up SO MANY LAWS AND REGULATIONS on commerce, that they actually brought the entire national economy to a STANDSTILL.
Regulation-Constipation.

Severe economic double-plus-ungoodness.

The President/Prime Minister (whatever - the head leftist goof) went on national TV and delivered a weepy, drunken, resignation speech that stands in history as New Zealand's greatest humiliation.

Many of the brainless laws were rolled back. But global economic conditions (and stupidity) caused the Kiwis to go back to their socialist ways after several years. (the exact time frame eludes me at present)

Within the past three years I remember reading an article that said that the Auckland area had the highest suicide rate among teenagers (or people under 25 - I don't remember exactly) in the WORLD.

It is tragic, but New Zealand appears to be (for the time-being) hopeless - as far as moving AWAY from socialism is concerned.

Feel free to correct me on the details here - this is the best I can do at 4:42AM without further research.

And don't they have that transexual person as their Head Goof down there now? At the swearing-in ceremony the parliment sang: "For She's a Jolly Good Fellow".
I kid you not.

Horrible, horrible...

[Sen Jack S. Fogbound]

Socialism works! Ask any Indian or Swede!

[livius]

One third of the people worked for large corporation, one third for government and one third did not work at all.

That's not an economy, it's a nightmare!

[michaelt]

Interesting article. Thanks for posting it.

One thing bugs me, though. Is it true that blacks are the most economically deprived group in the US? How about Native Americans? Mexican Americans? African Americans have made great strides into the middle class in the last 20 years.

I just can't help but think that the writer of the piece assumes that blacks here are all still poor, and everyone else is white and rich. I hope at least the researchers did their homework.