Denmark: paradise or the ultimate totalitarian state? Article.
You'd think it would be easy to tell the two apart, wouldn't you? Seems not.
[From one of my comments:]
I always wonder about that about immigrants who live in one country, but always talk about how wonderful their own country is...
Brian said:
You do that a bit sometimes. Except you do admit that England's taxes are kinder than Denmark's.
Yes, I guess I do that.
And I think except for the taxes I'd never have moved out.
But the funny thing is that the more I live abroad, the less super-special does Denmark seem.
The article does have a good point, it's a really pervasive belief in Denmark that it is the best country in the world in almost all ways. And it's very hard to get exterior to such a belief.
Update:
monsieur beep said: "I can recommend J A Pugsley: The Alpha Strategy for more basic info."
TTL intoned:
Pugley's book is one of the clearest introductions to economics I have read. It is so clear that it is downright entertaining due to its clarity. By the way, Eolake blogged it on 2007-09-07.
This point is kind of odd:
ReplyDeleteThe food variety and quality was nothing like as good as in the UK.
I have only been to England once, but the food there is not that great. I'm not talking about in pubs or anything. And I'm not saying it's bad, just certainly no better than a lot of other places. I haven't been to Denmark so I can't comment on the food there.
Then there is the much vaunted Danish Medical System. Again according to Danes `the best in the world`. But that's just the thing, it wasn't/isn't and the standards are dropping continually, whilst the costs of prescription medicine and Dental care, even on the back of this `public health service` are out of control.
The best in the world?! Ha ha ha ha ha ha. HA. I don't think so.
Every Dane, or foreign resident here has a `personal number` and unlike the `National Insurance` number in the US or UK, it must be quoted in order to do almost everything.
I am not a number! I am a free man! ...Oh wait, I'm 02343596!
Danish women and girls have with a few exceptions, become almost androgynous in appearance, and most are fiercely feminist in their views, actions and manners. Danish men are for the most part emasculated.
Of the few Danish men I have met this seems to be the case. I would use the word "whipped" even if they aren't married. I'm not sure about the androgynous appearance of the women, though. Danes are not anywhere near as good looking as they seem to think they are, though.
Overall the article seemed like he had a real chip on his shoulder, but a lot of it rang true. They do seem to think Denmark is the best country in the world when there are others that are at least as good, if not better.
Yes, that's very true. I believed that totally. But if you don't hear anything else, how can you not.
ReplyDeleteThe guy does have *some* points.
It's all very hard to evaluate without both a very wide experience and knowledge, and a non-partisan viewpoint. Both are rare at best.
My big problem with DK is the taxes. They go from 50% to 70%. It's evil. And most of them apparently just go to interest paid on loans from international banks, not spent on the country!
If that retired Brit policeman is so terribly unhappy in Denmark, then I have to wonder why he doesn't pack it up and move back to the U.K. - or
ReplyDeletewas there some other reason he left?
Did he jump, or was he pushed? Questions...always questions...
- Ray.
Yes indeed.
ReplyDeleteEven more I always wonder about that about immigrants who live in one country, but always talk about how wonderful their own country is, and live immersed in their old culture. Surely there must be something good in their present country, or they wouldn't live there.
I always wonder about...immigrants who live in one country, but always talk about how wonderful their own country is,
ReplyDeleteYou do that a bit sometimes. Except you do admit that England's taxes are kinder than Denmark's.
Yes, I guess I do that.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think except for the taxes I'd never have moved out.
But the funny thing is that the more I live abroad, the less super-special does Denmark seem.
There's someone who runs a business, and he makes a good living with his enterprise. He gets regular monthly payments, he is even allowed to fix the amount of these payments. In case of someone neglecting his monthly duty to pay, this fine businessman can even impose a fine. Ha! - He doesn't have to pay any taxes at all. The quality of his products and services doesn't matter. He gets always paid. He has ENORMOUS debts in the bank, yet everybody's happy to lend him more money.
ReplyDeleteWhat a business.............
Who dat?
ReplyDeleteYou really haven't got any idea?
ReplyDeleteNot to worry, this sort of business is so widely accepted, nobody seems to care that it exists.
Why?
The more I think about it the more I crave.
Just to make things clear:
ReplyDeleteI was talking about the business of the state, and its tax system.
I can recommend J A Pugsley: The Alpha Strategy
for more basic info.
monsieur beep said: "I can recommend J A Pugsley: The Alpha Strategy for more basic info."
ReplyDeletePugley's book is one of the clearest introductions to economics I have read. It is so clear that it is downright entertaining due to its clarity. By the way, Eolake blogged it in 2007-09-07.
Eolake,
ReplyDeleteIs this true? One of my friends in Malaysia ( a very clever one) says that Danish ppl are ' b***es' and they're too much of it. They are the hardcore. They're liberal, therefore non of them are virgins. The best country to him is Japan as there're hot bitches but not as btchy as the Danish ppl. Is it true? Are Danish ppl bitchy?