Sweden’s Lessons for America

[Nakosis]

If Sanders and Ocasio‐Cortez really want to turn America into Sweden, what would that look like? For the United States, it would mean, for example, more free trade and a more deregulated product market, no Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and the abolition of occupational licensing and minimum wage laws. The United States would also have to abolish taxes on property, gifts, and inheritance. And even after the recent tax cut, America would still have to slightly reduce its corporate tax. Americans would need to reform Social Security from defined benefits to defined contributions and introduce private accounts. They would also need to adopt a comprehensive school voucher system where private schools get the same per‐pupil funding as public ones.

If this is socialism, call me comrade.

So why is it that so many people associate Sweden with socialism? For the same reason they associate it with ABBA and free love: their perceptions are stuck in the 1970s. At that time, it was reasonable to say that Sweden was moving toward socialism. But that was an aberration in Sweden’s history — an aberration that almost destroyed the country.
Sweden’s Lessons for America

Sweden anyone? Yes, let's move away from the socialism of the 70's

 

[Shadow Wolf]

They would also need to adopt a comprehensive school voucher system where private schools get the same per‐pupil funding as public ones.

One of the problems with that in America is it is basically a rally cry so parents can shelter their kids from Non-fundamentalist/Evangelical thoughts and opinions and laws (of science) and facts, and it amounts to tax paying funds to these American Taliban religious institutes.

 

[sun rise]

The Left looks at Sweden and sees something completely different. For example, since Sweden has strong unions a minimum wage is not necessary.

§ Family Care: Day-care and preschool programs are almost free, with fees based on family income:

§ Education: Kindergarten through high school is free, as are school lunches. Undergraduate college/university tuition is also free.

§ Medical Care: Medical and hospital care are basically free until age 20. After then, doctor visits cost Swedes $10 to $32, or up to $38 for specialists. After people meet a $119 annual deductible, all care is free.

§ Housing Subsidies: Local governments subsidize low-income and elderly Swedes’ rental housing and also help them find it.

§ Wages: Sweden doesn’t have a minimum wage. Instead, unions and employers negotiate wages/salaries. This is particularly important for low-income workers: A cashier at a Swedish McDonald’s earns $15 an hour

§ Income Equality: Although Sweden is one of the world’s most equal societies, the gap between rich and poor has grown in the past 30 years. Still, based on the Gini coefficient (which measures income inequality, with zero meaning perfect equality), Sweden scored a 29 in 2015, while the United States scored 41.

§ Taxes: The obvious question is: How can Sweden afford such benefits? The obvious answer: Through relatively high taxes. So how much do Swedes fork over?

Swedes pay income tax to both national and local governments. In fact, in 2017 Sweden had the highest top marginal tax rate among OECD countries, followed by Denmark, Japan, Greece, France, and Canada. In all these countries, the top rate is over 50 percent.

Even Conservatives Support Sweden’s Welfare State. Here’s Why.

 

[sun rise]

But my bottom line comment is that since the American left and right both like the Swedish model, let's implement it here. I'd vote for that.

 

[leov]

If Sanders and Ocasio‐Cortez really want to turn America into Sweden, what would that look like? For the United States, it would mean, for example, more free trade and a more deregulated product market, no Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and the abolition of occupational licensing and minimum wage laws. The United States would also have to abolish taxes on property, gifts, and inheritance. And even after the recent tax cut, America would still have to slightly reduce its corporate tax. Americans would need to reform Social Security from defined benefits to defined contributions and introduce private accounts. They would also need to adopt a comprehensive school voucher system where private schools get the same per‐pupil funding as public ones.

If this is socialism, call me comrade.

So why is it that so many people associate Sweden with socialism? For the same reason they associate it with ABBA and free love: their perceptions are stuck in the 1970s. At that time, it was reasonable to say that Sweden was moving toward socialism. But that was an aberration in Sweden’s history — an aberration that almost destroyed the country.
Sweden’s Lessons for America

Sweden anyone? Yes, let's move away from the socialism of the 70's

i like Swerige.

 

[Nakosis]

i like Swerige.

Apparently there is a lot to like.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

If Sanders and Ocasio‐Cortez really want to turn America into Sweden, what would that look like? For the United States, it would mean, for example, more free trade and a more deregulated product market, no Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and the abolition of occupational licensing and minimum wage laws. The United States would also have to abolish taxes on property, gifts, and inheritance. And even after the recent tax cut, America would still have to slightly reduce its corporate tax. Americans would need to reform Social Security from defined benefits to defined contributions and introduce private accounts. They would also need to adopt a comprehensive school voucher system where private schools get the same per‐pupil funding as public ones.

If this is socialism, call me comrade.

So why is it that so many people associate Sweden with socialism? For the same reason they associate it with ABBA and free love: their perceptions are stuck in the 1970s. At that time, it was reasonable to say that Sweden was moving toward socialism. But that was an aberration in Sweden’s history — an aberration that almost destroyed the country.
Sweden’s Lessons for America

Sweden anyone? Yes, let's move away from the socialism of the 70's

You're colouring things like minimum wage and private schooling in ways that mean the reality of the (Swedish) position might be misunderstood by those unfamiliar with specifics though.

Not suggesting you're doing that deliberately, but it changes the discussion none-the-less.

 

[leov]

Apparently there is a lot to like.

Swerige is not in NATO.

 

[Nakosis]

You're colouring things like minimum wage and private schooling in ways that mean the reality of the (Swedish) position might be misunderstood by those unfamiliar with specifics though.

Not suggesting you're doing that deliberately, but it changes the discussion none-the-less.

Does that mean you like Sweden's economy or not?

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Does that mean you like Sweden's economy or not?

I like Sweden. Her economy has some issues moving forwards, and how sustainable current social programs are (in their current form) is dubious.

Which is hardly unique to Sweden.

 

[Nakosis]

I like Sweden. Her economy has some issues moving forwards, and how sustainable current social programs are (in their current form) is dubious.

Which is hardly unique to Sweden.

I'm fine with it. I really see no threat to capitalism by moving in that direction.

 

[metis]

Sweden anyone? Yes, let's move away from the socialism of the 70's

Swedes are strongly encouraged to be pragmatic, thus "whatever works best and is basically moral" is the way we have gone in the recent centuries.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

I'm fine with it. I really see no threat to capitalism by moving in that direction.

Surely you're not suggesting the only way of judging an economy is by whether it is an inherent threat to capitalism, though?

 

[Nakosis]

Surely you're not suggesting the only way of judging an economy is by whether it is an inherent threat to capitalism, though?

No, but I think we can safely ignore any claims that it is.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

No, but I think we can safely ignore any claims that it is.

Ahhh...gotya.
Yes, I agree (in simple terms).