And that is easier to do in Europe when America is paying more for your defense than your own country. U.S. taxpayers have been subsidizing European defense for decades. This has also allowed some countries to dole out more benefits to their citizens.
Wow. I won't say your comment was idiotic, even though I am a war-mongering American, but I wonder if you are a victim of the America-hating propaganda machine. It certainly doesn't sound like the America I know. It's true that in our history we have been guilty of horrible atrocities, including our treatment of the native American Indians and 300 years of slavery, but we also have a history of coming to the defense of many people outside our country who were, and are, victims of horrible atrocities. Here we see a lot of problems coming out of the middle east with radical Muslims (personally I think Islam is a radical religion), and not only because of the 9/11 attack. Maybe we are victims of the middle east-hating propaganda machine? And notice I didn't say anything derogatory about Europe?
@@jamesgeers309 Another idiotic comment from you. 9/11 had nothing to do with muslims but everything to do with Israel who was responsible for the false flag attack. Well, I will say something derogatory about Europe, a continent that shames itself by allowing European countries to be vassals of Washington.
As an American it is very strange that we let our government spend trillions of dollars in wars, foreign entanglements, we are afraid to ask for a better medical system, a better education system, we do not complain, we sit quiet and just take the abuse. Our political system is corrupt...we have accepted the fact that our politicians can be bought at will by corporation....and the answer is "go get a second job to make it to the end of the month"
The answer I get when I suggest even the slightest improvement is "If you don't like it, get out". That about sums up the intellectual level of the common person, proudly defiantly fighting against any change that might make their lives better because it might be (gasp) socialism (which Americans visualize as Stalinist Russia). Right wing media has really driven America nuts.
"As an American it is very strange that we let our government spend trillions of dollars in wars, foreign entanglements, we are afraid to ask for a better medical system, a better education system, we do not complain, we sit quiet and just take the abuse" As an european, I can't understand that neither ? We are dealing with high state corruption in France too though..
For a Dutch person it's a bit weird that Americans often begin and end their video's with "don't get me wrong, I love America and I am not political " if they want to address things that could be different/better in their own country. I'm Dutch and when I don't like something about The Netherlands, I will just go out and say it. Free speech and all... No worries. Not like you Americans obviously, who live in "the land of the free and the brave " You must admit, it's a bit weird
H00P0N0P0N0 - my first thought as well. Because the US was a nation of mixed migrants the schools introduced a programme of nationalist propaganda, making every kid salute the flag, sing the anthem, etc. They also introduced the idea that anyone who wasn’t openly patriotic was a traitor. Then in the 1950s the US was the worlds richest and most powerful country and made Americans very proud. They have yet to get to grips with the fact that America is no longer nos 1.
In the words of the great and fantastic Jeff Daniels (or Aaron Sorkin- I’ll watch *anything* by Aaron Sorkin) ......... ua-cam.com/video/ML3qYHWRIZk/v-deo.html
@@H00P0N0P0N0 I'm from the US and also a big Aaron Sorkin fan.....interesting observation you've made. I believe the reason YT videos often begin with a disclaimer of sorts is that our country has become extremely divided over the politics of the current administration, so much so that people are afraid of being attacked if they are seen to be the slightest bit questioning of their country or government. I think this has been borne out just by reading the comments under this video by the "My country, love it or leave it" nuts. What used to distinguish us was the encouragement of dialogue and debate. Now people are afraid to speak for fear of being attacked. Freedom? I don't think so.
I think one reason he says he's not against America and not pushing for any particular politics is so he can cater to an all inclusive audience and not have his ideas shut down by bias.
I’ve really noticed that just on social media comments and it’s not all about the big stuff either it can be everything from I can’t let my cat out she will be murdered by a psycho or eaten by wolves or even i can’t have a cat with claws it may scratch me and then i will get a terrible infection. To posts about handicrafts you can’t use that paint because...... or you can’t use that design somebody 50 years ago had this thing happen. All you hear is the fear. It seems to me that people in the US are just brought up to be constantly afraid in a way that we in Europe don’t even think about. I wonder what happened to cause it?!?!?!
@@Bonglecat Liberals. Liberals happened. You're never safe unless you let the government do everything for you, that's the mindset they're trying to promote.
Every first world nation in the world except the US has either free or heavily subsidised universal health care. Pretty much every second and even third world nation also has it. The idea that the US cannot afford to do it is ridiculous. You do realise that the rest of the world is utterly baffled by this, right ?
Healthcare is not free .. you just pay for it differently. You pay for it in every purchase you make and every service you take. The US chooses not to pay for it like that .. has nothing to do with ability to pay.
We do have free healthcare for the impoverished and means-tested health care for the working poor. Do you think the thousands shot and injured in our cities every year are turned away from the emergency rooms? No, absolutely not. Each and everyone receives top rated free medical care. Do you think impoverished pregnant woman are giving birth in back alleys? No, absolutely not. Each and everyone receives tops rated free medical care. Do you think the children of impoverished families go untreated for illnesses or injuries? No, absolutely not. Each and everyone receives top rated free medical care. Absolutely free for them as they have no income to be taxed to pay into the system that provides for their top rated free medical care.
Riiigth. I'm sure that the healthcare provided in free clinics is top rated, and exactly the same as for people with the most comprehensive insurance. I'm sure that the health care provided to those with insurance is only what they actually need and at reasonable prices. I'm sure that your for-profit doctors don't charge outrageous prices for even the most basic thing, and tack on extra services and medicine to bump up their profit margin. I'm sure that people don't go bankrupt from insane medical bills. I'm sure doctors are not bribed with kick-backs and free trips to 'conferences' in exotic locations to push a company's drug on as many patients as possible. I'm sure the pharma companies do not gouge hospitals and clinics on prices. I'm sure people are not trapped in jobs they hate because leaving will lose them their health insurance. Maybe you should look into how health services in Europe work directly and stop believing political propaganda. Maybe you should look at just how international health organisations rank US healthcare and how far down the list the US actually is. Also saying that free healthcare is not free because it's paid for by taxes is like saying free samples are not free because the company just passes the cost onto the consumer through raised prices. It's just a political word game.
You stated "Every first world nation in the world except the US has either free or heavily subsidized universal health care." The concept that it is free is a misnomer by those who push utilization the European economic model. If you do not want to be criticized about the use of the word free, don't use the word free in describing your healthcare system. And while the European model appears to be good for maintaining health over broad populations, it is not as good at innovations. Hence, we would prefer it if you just said thank you and enjoy your free healthcare.
Trevor. This is the problem. The US broadcasts it's politics and internal problems all over the world. I get most of my news online and am likely more familiar with what is happening in the US than what is happening in my own country. Also most people you come across in places like UA-cam threads are going to be Americans. Combine that with the general ignorance and disinterest of Americans of things that happen outside their borders that do not directly concern them and it limits the topics somewhat. At least topics where both sides are informed. As for pushing a European economic model, what do you think the US uses? Sure you have put your own spin on it, but most things in the US are based on, or emerged from European culture. Capitalism, Democracy, Republics, Science and technology... all from Europe. Of course now the flow has reversed. The US is the worlds cultural hub and Europe, and the rest of the world, are being changed by US culture much more than the US is being changed anymore. But then, that is the fear. I have no problem adopting positive American culture. I just don't want all the negative stuff to come along with it. The for-profit healthcare industry, the for-profit education system, the gun and drug culture, the worship of celebrities and glorification of gang culture and vigilantism, the complete corruption of the political system, the anti-intellectualism and rejection of science, the religious extremism that we got rid of long ago.
@@dionnakemp4291 Never triggered. I'm a little to centered for that. Just a realist. Got friends that are native and they look around at friends and often feel their lives are being waisted by the usefulness they are subjected to living.
@@michaelmontana5566 *too *wasted Also, what in the almighty hell kind of word salad is "their lives are being wasted by the usefulness they are subjected to living"?!? Were you having a stroke when you wrote that?!
@@michaelmontana5566 None of that I true. I lived in Germany when I was a child and teen; my entire white half of me lives throughout Europe and live a good life. I have cousins there that never went to college, but have high paying jobs there that in the US would require a college degree, but because of Germany's educational programs-- it's not that uncommon. I have family there that are chefs and live well, yet work far less hours than the average chef in the US. You can still own a business and be rich as a have an aunt that owns a family business that sells automobil parts and has been around since the 50s when her father (my uncle) started it and she has more money than the rest of the family along with nice cars and two homes. I have a cousin with severe cancer and is getting quality healthcare for little to no cost. I know some Americans that chose to go to Germany for their education (I wish I had done the same in hindsight); you can go to a private university and spend only a few hundred dollars on tuition for each semester and have the benefit of a stipend. Food is also cheap in Germany. When I go visit family there, it really is a great time as we just have cookouts almost every night, drink good liquor till the sun comes up, indulge in the nightlife, and it all reminds me of the good times I have in the US with people here. It's not that different than the US actually, but it does have some programs that the US really could benefit having themselves. I encourage you to visit Germany, of you haven't already, and see how most people like their lives there. Thank you for taking the time to read my testimony.
@iconoclast I don't think you know anything about Americans and just watch media. I agreed tht it's a good idea to look from the outside. We are more opened minded than you think, the media makes everything look bad. Travel america and educate yourself, dont just come here and see places like new York and LA, meet the other citizens throughout the country as a whole. Our government is horrible and us as citizens are trying to speak out towards this. Out government and media makes us look bad.
Indeed. People who see things for the first time without any preconceptions can open one's eyes to both the best and worst in a place or situation you see as 'normal'.
I have lived abroad since 2015. As much as I love being American, I don't really feel like I belong with them anymore. I cannot relate to the mentality.
I’m a European (Belgium), male, 41 years old, and don’t own a car and I bike 30 km to work every day. I don’t think an american could even imagen this.
@@oliveraparicio8464 Mate, if it takes you 14 days to bike across Belgium (west-east 260km - north-south 220km) you'd make roughly around 16km=10miles/day ... so California->South Carolina would indeed take you 250 days ... dont ask what I wanted to say with this ... I just enjoy to calculate crap like this ;-)))
Here in Norway there is a lot of oil, and some years back our far right "progress party" tried to tell us global warming was not a real thing. They had to bring in someone from the US to talk about it because nobody here would. The whole thing was ridiculous and everybody just laughed their asses off, so soon after they tried to just quietly forget about the whole thing and pretend it never happened. Some years later though we did get a right wing government, and even though they don't deny climate change, they are increasing our oil and gas production with the reasoning that there are dark days ahead and we need that oil to look out for number one. It's hard to believe sometimes how blind our population is to this, everyone recycling, buying electric cars, producing clean energy and so on, while in reality we can only really afford that infrastructure because we're selling tons of oil, it's very hypocritical. It's a lot like with Sweden who produce and sells a ton of weapons then just goes "well, we're not the ones using them, we just sell them, so not our problem".
@@beautifulwaterfall222 Something which is now basically a myth then keeps being propagated and people have no idea things might have changed. The American Dream is dead people: "US social mobility fell by more than 70% in the past half-century."
I definitely feel less stressed living here in Europe compared to when I was in the US. Over there it felt like ‘I live to work’. Here in Europe it’s more like ‘I work to live’. Thanks for sharing!
Yes, some of what you say is true, but in many European countries the unemployment rate if very, very high, and in these countries the people who work are supporting way too many who don't. Quite a few of the European countries make it very difficult for their citizens to start businesses, and if they do, the taxes eventually close them down. The restrictions for foreigners to start businesses are also very severe in my opinion.
Odd, as I feel the exact opposite. Europe is shat for entertainment, shat for getting things like computer parts, car parts, house stuff. And they have almost no freedom, except a few countries.
Unemployment rate is only high in southern and eastern Europe. This video is talking about Sweden which is in the richer zone like UK, Netherlands, Germany etc.
frostfire65 who are you trying to fool? The huge majority of americans work 60 hours a week at thankless, unfulfilling jobs just to pay the bills. If you love your job, enjoy it while you can. I've had jobs that I loved too, until I didn't. Besides, you misinterpreted what the OP is saying - Pinay mom's blog contributes by working, then lives and enjoy adventures, people, learning, hobbies, etc. I heard a Swede say when asked about their rather minimalist house, "Less stuff, more living!" Americans typically have huge houses crammed with things long forgotten, remodel every 5 years or less, and are stuck with a huge mortgage for 30 years. Then take out another for the remodeling. And work until they drop. "But look at my stuff!"
It depends where in Europe you live. My family lived in Germany before moving back to Croatia and my mom always tells that when my siblings and I were littler they went to work to live, nowadays it changed in Germany. People I know say now that they live to work. But in Croatia for example it is different. The lifestyle overall is a bit different, and especially at the coast people know how to live even if the work they do is sometimes very stressful and hard. But I also think it is all about the perspective an individual has. That is just the way I see it or my family in general.
I live nextdoor to Sweden...The peace of mind you get from knowing you will have access to healthcare, education and other safety nets, despite the higher taxes...is SO worth it.
Last time Sweden was homogeneous was in the 1950's after that immigration has been growing steadily. In fact Sweden's current living standard would have been impossible without all the immigrants working to make it possible.
I experienced it the other way around. I came from the Netherlands to live and work in the U.S .First i was so happy making more money and paying less taxes for doing the same job...Until i noticed i had hardly any free time. I was used to a month of payed vacation days, and loads of paid holydays. In the U.S it was even hard to get unpaid days off, and often overwork was not paid extra, but seen as a kind of 'loyalty gesture' towards the company. So yes, though i loved many things in the U.S, i did not had the time to truly enjoy them.
In my experience it's less about employees being workaholics and more about being working slaves for the companies. Most jobs in my area are part-time with no benefits but they demand that you are available to cover all three shifts if they need you to fill in. So a person that might be able to survive on two part-time jobs can't work two jobs because they are locked into one employer. Full-time jobs require travel and in many cases 10 and 12 hour days as well as weekends. Many don't offer sick days, if you miss work you lose wages as well as get threatened with dismissal for being off work. As always, some areas have things much better but it's not so great for a lot of people and it's not their choice. If they had options I think they would take them.
Gemarkeerd antwoord +Disenfranchised Realist: Indeed. It's like the saying, You should work to live, not live to work. Why the hell should you bother to work so hard for a nice house if your never there? Now I had could afford to take some unpaid leave now and then. But many people worked even two jobs to get by. It's not all doom and gloom, but a lot changed for the worse when i visited the states the first time in the early 90thies. And i hear it's even worse now , compared to when i was there ( 2000/2002).
The minute you say the word "tax" to a US citizen you have lost them to any logical debate. If you mention the word "socialism" they conflate that as communism, but then you simply have to ask them what is "social security" or "unemployment insurance" or "medicare" which are all socialist programs. Us citizens for the most part don't know the difference between Socialism, Communism or Fascism, they only spout the word Capitalism because they have had it pushed down their throats by large corporations and bought-out politicians.
Terry Benge, as someone commented above there are few US Americans commenting here. We don't need to comment; you guys are doing a great job by yourselves. We have a lot of work to do to fix this broken system of ours.
Thanks, Tom, but no thanks. Last thing in the world I'd do. I'd like to figure out how to help change our system, though -- one issue at a time, starting with health care and moving forward.
You are correct. Considering half of all Americans pay little to no income tax, they would balk at having to pay 40-50% income tax. First main point of fixing health care is getting control of everyone’s diet, Swedes eat less and healthier than most Americans.
It used to be illegal in America for drug companies to advertise on TV. Congress changed that because of pressure from the drug companies. It absolutely does not have to be like this.
On the bright side, someone forced the drug commercials to give the down side of all the possible side effects. When you know the possible down side, the drug no longer seems very attractive.
People in the US will not understand these points unless they leave their bubbles and experience it themselves. I lived in Korea, Germany, and when I returned to the US it felt like I had gone back to the 1800s mentality.
For some reason, I find Americans, who lived abroad (Europe) are so much more likable. I don't think they become anti-Americans - they still love their own country. It's just their perspective becomes much more inclusive, friendly, open-minded. So I think that channels like this one does great service to us all. One small advice (or wish) would be to see more rather than hear more. Visual examples would be more persuasive (especially to people in USA, who never visited Europe).
There's a huge difference in opinions of US citizen who traveled world, and the one who doesn't.. Us is big beautiful country with great services and infrastructure, but i can't imagine my life there.. 2-4weeks per year as a tourist- great place to visit..
I wish I could afford to live abroad. I am American, but I feel out of place. I find the obsession with guns and ignorance about universal healthcare to be contrary. We could benefit by taking care of our people like Sweden does. Even having never been there, I know and understand that.
martinko40 I’m not sure it even matters what country you’re comparing to. Living/traveling abroad changes your perspective and helps you better see how someone can live differently from you and still live well. (Or if they’re not living well, it gives you a greater appreciation for what you have, and perhaps greater empathy towards those in your own country who struggle to find the same quality of life.)
We don't have to pay more to get universal healthcare in America. We actually pay more than twice as much as the next most expensive country (Switzerland). We could actually SAVE money by switching to universal healthcare.
And you forgot to tell, Swiss medics are paid at least as in the us or maybe more, and quality of medical infrastructure are i think even better, and all that for all the population , not only for the only one who can afford
@@MajkaSrajka because there then is just one non profit insurer. That can demand a hospital to deliver services set by the insurer. Both at minimum quality and for a maximum price. Don't want to do it at that price? To bad and you will do no business in the country until you do. Prices will go down over time instead of up. It is called leverage. Not to mention the cost savings involved by running just one insurance company and the profits skimmed off by for profit companies. It does save billions
When I moved to Denmark almost 10 years ago from New Mexico, I expected to learn about Danish culture, but what I didn't expect was seeing my homeland with 'new eyes'. 10 years ago I could not conceive living life at such a casual pace and that I would be 'allowed' to prioritize my family and personal life equally or even higher than my job. The first time I told my kids they could go outside unsupervised, they looked at me like I had just recommended playing on the freeway. It has taken us a while to realize that we are safe here. Now that we are settled in, it's hard to imagine living any other way. I hope we are never forced to go back.
@@villevirtanen00 well we have a little PTSD from a home invasion where we were almost murdered. That shit stays with you a while. That kind of thing just doesn't happen here. Or if it does, I am happily oblivious.
Every American I have ever known that have had any contact with European healthcare systems have always immediately become supporters of universal healthcare and say they are even ready to pay more taxes for it. :D
My daughter had a child in Canada under their health care system. She was a high risk pregnancy and the whole experience was horrible. Her first child was born in the US same issues, better care. She moved back to the US as quickly as she could.
@@ambercollins654 I live in Finland. We have the second lowest infant mortality rate and the lowest cancer mortality rate in the world. With a universal healthcare system. By the way US is 32nd on the infant mortality rate with 6.5 deaths per 1000 live births, Canada is 28th with 4.9 so I would say it is still better to give birth in Canada. Or pretty much any Eurpean Country because we all have universal healthcare and lower infant mortality than US. And what about if you cannot afford insurance in the US? Still getting that excellent care?
It's so much better to öppna the one fönster in the one room and ett annat window in the motsatta sidan of the house/lägenhet than to have AC. #TVÄRDRAGFTW
I think that, as Europeans, we find American attitudes to healthcare and work baffling. It appears to us that a lot of people are making a ton of money out of ordinary Americans by working them to death and refusing to take care of them when they buckle. They are kept in this state by being told ridiculous fairy stories about nations that offer these services . Stories about people being reduced to eating rats in the street (Sweden) , routinely leaving elderly people to die on trolleys ( Britain ) etc because of the supposed costs of having universal healthcare. Laughable scare stories. Of course America could and should have universal healthcare and Yes, you can afford it. Too many people are making too much money out of you, to offer it. All we can do is keep telling you how it really is. Yes, we do have universal healthcare in Europe.It's not free but it is affordable.Tax is 20% in Britain, The key is Travel. If more of you travelled you would see for yourselves and make your own mind up what you want to pay for them you would go back home ready to demand a better future. We like you guys. Good Luck.
Linda West I’ve traveled to Europe before. I’m an American and I prefer their lifestyle over the United States. Old people don’t have to worry about debilitating health issues due to being inactive most of their lives. Public transportation is affordable and accessible. Food is better. I want to move over there, but that will take time. I’ll probably be dead before the United States changes for the better.
I mostly agree with you. The only part that I disagree with are the "fairy stories" that you mentioned. As an American myself I haven't met anyone who believes that Swedes eat rats or that Brits leave their elderly to die on trolleys. My guess is that you met an American that actually believed this nonsense and you were quick to judge that all of us think that way.
@@spelcheak Why, because European countries are doing better then the US? If you read trhough the comments you will see a lot of posts from people in Europe stating a lot of facts about us.
As an American who travels extensively and is sitting in France right now, I can say that traveling and speaking foreign tongues is definitely eye opening but given that, I would certainly not prefer to live as an average European as opposed to an average American. Europe has much to offer and I love it every time I come here but in terms of quality of life, I prefer the US.
@@thomassenbart no doubt. We all do prefer what we grew up with. Im aussie and i had a great time in the states. But a few things seemed silly and too large.
If they just could ever leave that country... Seems like a lot of them don't see any other country in this world worth even knowing the names of or knowing that they even exist, let alone GO there
As a Swede living in the US for the past 9 years I can say this, the older I get, the more I value the Scandinavian way of living. The US is a great country to live in when wealthy but al lot harder when poor. The far end extremes between wealthy and poor are further apart here than they are in Sweden. It's also interesting that when Americans speak of travel, they almost always mean domestically, as if the outside world didn't exist. Great video!
There is a lot to see in the US and many Americans haven't even been to half of the states within their own country. It can be almost a cultural shock for a New Yorker to visit Texas for the weekend because the people and environment is entirely different for a New Yorker. So, it can be exciting for Americans to travel domestically and we can always visit the south for when it's cold and snowy in the north.
I have lived in Germany for 23 years and I have no intention of ever moving back. The reason, healthcare. Last year I was diagnosed with breast cancer and treatment in the US would have bankrupted me. Here I am getting exceptional care and could not return even if I wanted to because I am now a 'pre-existing condition'.
The ACA destroyed the pre-existing condition problem but Trump is trying to destroy the ACA. Once Trump is destroyed we will probably end up with a single-payer system like the rest of the world has, so stay tuned.
"Of course quality of life in Sweden is higher that in the US. This is freaking Europe :)" wich europe ? mine likes Sweden system and i never ever heard a single critic about Sweden from here (France) or coming form EU policies. Sweden is allways, allways shown as a model to follow. Even more than germany.
@@philv3941 haha yes. Here in the Netherlands, I feel like, we have it very good. But still often Sweden is mentioned to be better in some social facilities like school
The only Americans I’ve met who really understand America are those who have lived in Europe for several years and had their eyes opened. America is the most ignorant country on the planet. Sweden is great and it’s not even the best country in Europe.
@Georg Bergsten Depends what you mean with ”better”. I’d say that Switzerland, Norway, Austria, The Netherlands and Denmark are as good or better when it comes to living standards. There are more countries that are richer per capita as well.
I"m from New Zealand originally, and now live in America - and I totally agree. Quality of life here is SO LOW! It's ridiculous. There was actually several studies done on health care, and universal health care is WAY CHEAPER than the Medicare model we currently have. Because you are not paying mark ups for profit. There's no reason we can't have 6 weeks off per year - it's just that we prioritize share holders profits. I love America, but there are so many things we could do better here - and we would all benefit from it. AS for the media, they disgust me. The level of propaganda and lies on CNN, FOX and MSNBC is just sick.
Yes, in America, you're just beholden to shareholders and making other people richer while you never get a raise. You get depressed and buy stuff on Amazon and eBay thinking - "at least I have stuff". Then people go around forcing fake smiles on their faces to try and make up for their misreble lives. Americans fake happiness, which is why they're so nice - because they don't want to talk about the truth because it hurts so much and there isn't anything one can do about it.
Jay Tee YOU poor idiot , you do not make anybody richer, you are burden to our society , taking benefits and contributing nothing ! YOU do not deserve ANY raise you lazy stupid ass . Speak for your self you Loser. why are you NOT a shareholder or business owner ?? People come to USA without money , without speaking English and many find a GOOD job and many become successful and happy , like me . MOVE out to Venezuela or CUBA , I do not want you-/ LOSER / around here .
@@martinko4086 calm down man, he was just saying that new Zealand has an higher quality of life and that capitalism is not the only thing you should think about, and you should take some qualities from socialism. It would help everybody. He just didn't express kindly, but you didn't do better
giovio, there are NO qualities in Socialism . #1, you and MS Costello do NOT know WHAT socialism IS !! # 2 , NEW Zeeland DO NOT have Socialism as economic system, . #3 Social programs are NOT socialism , they exist in Capitalism and are funded by CAPITALISM . # 4 MS Costello got shitty education in NEW Zeeland, because he do NOT know a basic differences between socialism and social democracy . # 5 if you want to help EVERYBODY, than start from yourself, pull the money from your own wallet and start giving to ANYBODY and EVERYBODY !! etc ..
New Zealand has more sheep than people. You can’t compare the 2. Also, your defense doesn’t exist. If the US didn’t provide it who would? I’m not for American based everywhere, but you’ve got to compare apples to apples on this.
It's funny that in the US people seem to use coffee as a "booster" to go faster and stress out even more but in Sweden coffee is a symbol of "relaxation". Coffee = Fika, take a break, collect yourself and then work more focused.
I remember when I was a young teenager always dreaming of moving to the US, now I'm so so grateful to live in Europe and I couldn't even properly consider migrating to the USA
Europe (with a couple of exceptions): We care about our citizens and want them to be able to be healthy and work productively so we give them (mostly) free healthcare, enough vacation time to relax from the good work they've done, pregnancy leave to get parents to take care of the new little citizens when they need it the most, good education because we want a smart, well-educated population to drive forward innovation and a decent living wage because we believe nobody who is willing and able to work should be living in poverty. USA: WE LOVE OUR CORPORATIONS. They need to do everything for us. Fuck the government! (Meanwhile) The government: hahaha yes yeeees! Give us more money you sweet sweet corporations! Fuck the poor and the sick! As long as we get our money!
"just don't be poor" was a shock to me. The president represents their people... I really feel for the smart Americans suffering from this and without realizing there are other 200 countries out there.
@@agnes7369 makes me sick how many flag waving boot lickers we have in the US. If you make any intelligent argument about how many things we are doing wrong, you get called a communist or some other nonsense.
@@bw1955 I’m a flag waver, and I agree with the above post. The problem is here in the USA our politicians hate us and the more power we give them the more they’ll waste, our corporations are also wicked and care nothing for the citizens. Also a major reason the Europeans have been able to spend on social programs is because they don’t spend on military, with China growing more and more aggressive I don’t see how we can shrink our military any time soon. If our politicians could be trusted maybe we’d be able to spend more on social programs but they seem to be getting more and more devious every year. I love the USA but I agree, it’s a mess here and not getting better, we live in a very nasty culture, I’ve considered moving my family to Europe recently.
I live in Finland. I too am American. It took a long time but I finally stopped looking over my shoulder. I agree and have said the same things as you are saying now.
+Donna Raitanen There are a couple of things I do here in Switzerland (a country with a lot of guns) and would dare to do in Iceland (another country with a lot of guns; I don't know what it looks like in Finland) but would not dare to do in the US because I'm afraid someone might shoot me. (It's not like I do illegal or even just douchy things - but I do there to stand up for myself in a lound way if someone else for example almost runs me over on a street and not even bothers to actually step on the break.)
I had the same experience in the UK. In America we need to get corporate money out of politics. I no longer look over my shoulder, I love having 4 working weeks off each year which only Military get in USA and overall quality of life is way better. Things aren't perfect and the wealthy in the UK seem desperate to follow the failing American model. Let's hope that an ultra small wealthy minority don't subjugate the rest of us and we can continue to experience a decent quality of living.
chaacbze: I agree corporate money has 'bought' too much influence in America. However, I got 4 weeks off with pay each year in the U.S., after working 10 years for the same company. One week after one year, two weeks after two years, three weeks after five and four weeks after ten years.
I live in the part of the country where people work to have a good life . Sure there are those who have to work maybe 9 hours instead of 8 everyday. But the most I know feel like why work 100% instead work 75% and have more possibilities to do the things you like . We have a very low cost on living here . But then if you don’t like nature or want to live in the deep wilderness it’s not a place for you to be . I study distance after a work related illness and I still can enjoy my area and hunt . That is live quality I never had while I worked in the south. There I worked myself to death just to pay rent .
The mentality in the west is the polar opposite By law here I am allowed to drive transport truck [ in a resource based industry ] for 15 hours a day. This adds up to ZERO life.
Which is cool, we have that with a company in Sweden I work for, but it's very common to get extra days off mid week due to this. It is pretty highly regulated, so I guess if people work way to much to follow or overtime without pay or benefits, it's their choice?
I am a US citizen living in France and everything you say about Sweden also holds for France, where the health care system is rated the best in the world. In my experience, the entire health system costs about 60% of US health care costs, and drugs cost 1/8 of what they cost in the States (they're "free" anyway) because the health care system can bargain with the pharma companies. People have a lot more free time (5 weeks a year) and are a lot less stressed than Americans. People here eat more than Americans, but better; so they are much less often overweight. Consumption in general, like Sweden, is much lower but mainly because advertising is strictly controlled for its truth.
Despiser Despised Only very rich people fly to America to pay full American prices for health services. Most Americans, like 99.9 percent of them would benefit from French style universal healthcare.
Despiser Despised It's true , there is really good expert care in the US but you have to be a millionaire to use it!!! Where's the liberty in being too poor to buy any health care....americans people are sold a lie.... this guy here...he's seen what its like to live in much more chilled societies. In general, they are better, France, Norway, Sweden, the quality of life is great. I'm glad this guy is bringing new ideas back to america...you can keep the liberty without resorting to greed and spread the wealth around a little!!
@@adnanjusic4890 no is an economical thingh for every 1 dollar spend to the military they can print 2 more and the value o dollar si not going don cause they got the guns too back it up
Americans hate anything that is given seemingly free, even if it’s paid in a residual manner, such as social security. “ free stuff” is a catch phrase they use to denounce anything that is not earned through back breaking labor, unless you are wealthy, then you are rewarded handsomely.
Just have a coffee anywhere in South Europe - from Portugal to Bulgaria. There is something that could be named a coffee culture . One of the most relaxing and enjoyable things you can adopt :)
South Europe does have the lowest rates concerning suicide rates in the EU and is among the countries with low suicide rates in the so called western world. People need some fun in their lives. Not sure how the nerves caused by caffeine help that, but southern europeans would know. ;)
So true, I am from Portugal and the coffee culture is one of the most enjoyable things in life. It means hanging out with friends, talking about everything and anything, meeting new people, experiencing new places, relaxing in a beautiful terrace in the morning or watching a beautiful sunset late in the afternoon. When a friends calls and says lets go out for a coffee, you know a good and sometimes important moment is about to happen.
If you ask 10 Americans why they never go on holiday outside the US, 9 of them will answer because there is nothing outside the US worth leaving for. It's hilarious and very sad at the same time.
" there is nothing outside the US worth leaving for." It's true though. We've got 48 countries right here - and 2 more if we really wanna go far afield.
@@NotANameist Thank you for proving my point. Have you ever left? If not, how could you say it's true. Ive been to the US several times and i loved every single trip. But to suggest there is nothing outside the US worth leaving for is ridiculous. There is nothing quite like walking through an old city in china and watch people live the way they did 100 years ago. There is nothing quite like walking through the narrow streets in italy that leads to an amazing cathedral.
Plenty of US Citizens travel abroad. They might say they don't want to, that's what they say simply because they can't afford it and it will never be an option or they don't receive enough vacation. Its much easier to lie to yourself and others and say I don't want to go when in reality you cant afford it or when you will never have the time.
mike a, you have a very low opinion of your fellow human beings, don't you. Good social safety nets are a plus, not a minus. People aren't as bad as you think. Your comment is quite racist and negative.
Gaso Meter, that’s very true in general. Luckily though, at least the stance on universal healthcare is changing. The latest Reuter poll showed that 70% of people (84% or 86%-I forget the exact number-of Democrats, and an astounding 52% of Republicans) are for universal healthcare.
Gaso Meter We already have a lot of socialist programs in usa. medicare, medicaid, ss, food stamps, unemployment, list goes on. Problem is America wastes a ton of out money like repaving the same damn road 10 times in a row.
When he “tried” to name the pros of living in America and all he could come up with is us having Amazon is when I knew it’s time for me to immigrate elsewhere
So glad to see this! Sensible talk & honest, & brave too coz it takes courage to admit the truth. Change is strange to most Americans who have been stuck in the habit of the American ways but I have no doubt there are many who want the change. The US government is one big obstacle too.
A big problem in the US is that it's impossible to have an open debate about these things. They will just group you in the left or right camp and then they don't have to take you serious anymore. They would just say that Sweden is the rape capitol of the world, even though that's very debatable. It's also worrying how carefull you have to be talking about global warming. Even though the overwhelming majority of scientists agree on it. I generally avoid debating Americans every now and then, a lot of them think one liners equal facts.
The Captain Umm we do have conversations about this, then the bill comes in and we reject it. Most Americans don't want to pay for other people's things.
If the mind is stuck in something then nothing can come in & change it - thats the American mentality reality, thats why useless to have a discussion. There's this mental incapacity & on top of that is the emotional state of "America or American pride" that keeps a defensive mode coz easily gets offended. The US government wants to be top dog of the entire world, that alone fuels ego thus the military spending priority, the fear & the stress, politics& corruption, imbalance & neglect, etc. etc. etc.
We can easily have no out of pocket cost universal health care in the USA. We simply need to take the money that employers and individuals are already paying for healthcare and shift it to a universal system. We would actually SAVE money.
Ah, you are going broke. America gives away morw money to all of you non paying European Union saps than anyone. That would.soon end and we will see how well you do paying your own way
I lived in Germany for six years. Bicycling and public transportation are big factors in the relative healthiness of the Europeans. Public transportation forces you to do a lot of walking. When summer comes around and the weather gets hot, the women wear pretty sun dresses to keep cool. The Trumpists just gave the top 1% of the richest Americans and corporations a $1.5 trillion tax cut; they just upped the military share of the national budget to $761 billion. No one can say we can't afford national health care.
Stuart M. We could easily afford universal health care but would have to raise taxes on the 1% and you know how all the poor people hate that for some reason you and I and other sensible americans will never understand. Oh wait. Racism. And the 1% is more republican than ever, even determined to do away with Social Security and Medicare. Republicans won't even spend the money to keep russia out of our elections, they are so eager to put all the money into the hands of a few and get rid of every social program we have while they have the power.
elgie swift: The four pillars of the Republican Party strategy: 1) Billions of dollars in corporate campaign contributions 2) Voter suppression tactics like voter ID laws 3) Gerrymandering of districts 4) Russian bots and trolls in social media. The "Reputin Party" can't win without help from the Russians! I hope you are gearing up for the November midterms. We've got to take back America.
Trump didn't give nothing. Trumpists just stole $1.5 trillion less. Now if you want to create a company in USA the American government will steal less money from you than before.
Thank you for your honest opinion. I am german and as you might know, europeans often see the US much more negative than they see themself. One reason may be that you are raised with a enormous amount of pride that you have to show on every occasion. A friend once told me there has to be a kind ceremony to honour the flag before each and every public event, what would be really creepy for a european. And she told me, that public transport is regarded as dangerous, so she was afraid to use the train in germany, but after she did she loved it (well, if its in time, hehe) Nomad Chick also said the pressure to consume is high over there, what starts to develop in europe as well, but we do not feel that much of a need to have that much things and riches the industry wants us to have. I am so glad there are people like you and the Nomad Chick, who really give different opinions a chance. I hope there will be a day to come, when an american can freely criticize his country without the need to apologize. Such cristics are necessary to evolve and progress. Americans seem to suppress self criticism, what is not healthy for a society. There is a difference between pride and arrogance, and people like you show so well that there can be love and pride for your country, even if you see some of the things that could be improved. Cheers!
I lived in Germany for 6 years. It is the best experience I have ever had. Germans respect law and order; Americans are almost the opposite. Education in Germany is twice as high quality than the US. I am an Artz medizin (doktor) and I have two college degrees, 2 masters and a doctorate. I learned the German language and found it to be more expressive and exact than English. The only thing I dislike about Germany is the Weather ("wetter"). Cloudy and lots of rain. But, rain makes your country so green and beautiful.
I dont really like hot weather , makes me feel like Mr Freeze :p Norway is too costly to live in and they force you to have electricity device installed in your house , too much rules and bs regulations
After Germany murdered tens of millions of people the American tax payer rebuilt and defended Germany from the Soviet Union. You can criticize America all you want, but at the end of the day America is a nation of imperfect but high character; the Europeans are people of generally low character, the British excepted. We have every reason to feel pride in our nation, founded and built by the poor Europe rejected.
@@kevinkent6351 We learned from our history - you don't even know yours. You did not rebuild Germany, you took advantage of the rebuilding process. Germans worked hard for it, I am old enough to know it. And Germany was always a buffer state for the USA. All tactical plans provided to fight wihtin Germany and destroy it by atomar bombing. But we all have low character, of course, because you have the bombs.
I spend time overseas myself and you had me until got onto that amazon and other corporate nonsense. Amazon is a horrible predatory corporation that lowers the quality of life.
So, I'm a New Yorker living in Austria, have also visited Sweden tons of times, and I both agree and disagree with some of your arguments. First mistake a lot of Americans make when they come to Europe is to believe that healthcare, college tuition, social services, etc. are free. They are not. This is a very common misunderstanding, even I made that mistake when I first came to Austria. All of these services, just like in the U.S., are paid for with taxes - VERY high taxes. Europeans gladly pay these high taxes however, because they know that when their time comes, the state will take good care of them. This is the type of mentality that needs more encouragement in the U.S. Saying that it's free however, gives the wrong impression and leads to baseless accusations of "socialism". Another mistake I find that many Americans make when they come to Europe is to indulge in overly broad generalizations about life in the U.S. We forget that the U.S. is made up of 50 autonomous states, each with their own economy, laws, culture, etc. Coming from NYC I'll agree with you that life there is way too stressful, that the elderly there aren't active enough, that consumption is through the roof and that my quality of life in NYC is lower than my quality of life in Vienna. HOWEVER, I also lived in upstate NY for several years where much of this situation was exactly reversed. I actually had a higher standard of living in Binghamton (upstate New York) than in Austria, life was a LOT less stressful, old people defiantly walked up and down the streets at any hour of night and people were far more environmentally conscious than in NYC. I once got a hefty fine for carelessly discarding my milk carton in the wrong garbage bin. Sweden would seem like a hillbilly boondocks in comparison to progressive towns like Ithaca, NY. This is a similar situation you find all over the U.S. Finally, and this is another mistake I made when I came to Austria, Americans tend to cluster around the major urban centers in Europe and assume that the rest of Europe has similar standards of living. That might be true in some cases, but more than often it is not. In the case of Sweden, most visitors and most Americans probably never travel much beyond Stockholm , Malmö or Gothenburg. Of course these are the most glamorous, clean and well-developed parts of Sweden. My eyes were really opened though when I spent a lot of time in the outer suburbs where my friends live - empty, dirty, dilapidated buildings, poor public services, bad infrastructure, limited public transportation, dangerous ghettos, not at all what you see in those glossy tourist brochures. I was also made to understand that people in the major urban centers, mostly native Swedes, live very comfortable lives blissfully unaware of the poor circumstances of people living in the suburbs, i.e. mostly immigrants and other "undesirables". This phenomena tends to skew our view of European society, especially if we never leave the more developed urban centers. My point is, and something I constantly remind myself to do, is that we need to be very much on guard when making generalizations and be very nuanced when making country comparisons.
As a Swede i agree about the suburbs, it is Crime ridden and drug infested and dangerous if you are an outsider without knowing anybody from there. But you are wrong about the rest of the country dont know, that is incorrect. We now have murders and bombs(!) on a daily basis here. Way to many immigrants have turned my country in to Two countries in one. The most of the Blame falls on politicians who dont care about us, only what their friends in brussells wants. I grew up in a place who even at that time had problems with drugs and crime, but now? Forget it, one murder yesterday for example and no police presence or any service at all. It is a dump.
" All of these services, just like in the U.S., are paid for with taxes - VERY high taxes" Depends on where in Europe. In the UK we have the NHS and our taxes aren't that high - compare with many states in the US and remember to include all taxes - local, state, and federal. Some other countries do have higher taxes, but they also get a lot more for that. "and leads to baseless accusations of "socialism" " It is socialism though, that's what it means. Too many people think Socialism is communism, but it actually covers a range of "mixed economy" systems, that all first world countries live by - even the USA. Its just where each country decides to draw the line within that mixed economy that matters.
@@stevehansson2221 Immigrants coming to Sweden will help the country if we make sure everyone gets a chance, and aren't forced into being criminals because they need money. Jävla högersvin ffs. Jag bor i utkanten av Malmö, och du blir inte inblandad i skit om du inte är kriminell och det är mycket mindre farligt att bo här än i typ florida. Det har aldrig hänt mig något dåligt här. Kriminalitet finns överallt och du skyller på fel saker eftersom du vill se en lösning på dagisnivå. Prata inte om saker du inte vet något om. Hur kan någon tro att högerns politiker bryr sig om att sänka brottnivåer? Det blir bevisat om och om igen att det som håller folk med svår social situation borta från brott är utbildning, men istället för att satsa på det som är bevisat hjälper människor, vill högern in med fler poliser. De blåser bort röken men släcker inte elden.
I live in Sweden and i've tried to talk to US citizents online for weeks during election times. I don't wanna be bad or try to insult. Just blunt and honest. I felt like i could NOT connect with americans. I just got called a commie all the time. I talkt about a-kassa, healthcare and some consequences Europe was put thru cause of your wars since 2001. About right wing extremists getting big in Europe. I got really scared cause for me it felt like i was talking to ignorant zombies from another planet or sumthing. Just people that didn't know ANYTHING about the outside world. People were climate change deniers and didn't believe in evolution. Hopefully you can listen to one of your own.
Hah, how do you think it feels when those zombies are friends you have known all your life or even your own relatives. I would not have believed they could change so much if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes. It’s like a disease of ignorance and hatred is sweeping the country and you never know who is going to catch it next.
@@aliannarodriguez1581 I relate it to Jim Jones and feel they've already drank the Kool-Aid and you can't turn them away from the precipice. The only country in the world that cannot defeat this virus because many think wearing masks is an infringement upon their precious freedom. Freedom to struggle, stress and die young with no holidays.
I don't understand people who say "I'm very proud to be *insert ethnicity*" as if it were an accomplishment. How can you be proud about something you didn't get to choose?
JNostro I think you can interpret it as saying I am not a shamed of my heritage. On the other hand, your point is well taken, particularly when decisions, bigotry and war, etc., are based on pride in heritage. Then you also have people that just run their mouths to join a club or resist another. Culture is quite interesting.
Well I'm embarrassed and ashamed of my country at the moment so it would make sense that if it got it's shit together by and large that I might be able to feel pride again. It's not the lottery of where you are born. It is the work you put in trying making things better that makes me feel pride and when I fail I also feel shame like I didn't do enough. I know this is not how most people see it, but it is another perspective.
@dlee t I think democracy started to die in our country even before Reagan and Nixon. In a way, democracy never properly got started, because of slavery, which the authors of the Constitution tried to legitimize by way of the 3/5 clause. I'd say that clause planted the seeds of our democracy's downfall.
@Fred Jansen There are countries who give right to own guns, not just America. Basically America is fuck** up, opiod & drug crisis, mental health issues, low education, racism, homelessness, no affordable healt care, partisanship. America needs to stop war, stop funding Israel and starts fixing its own problem.
ED Tos lies about US are coming from people like you, NORMAL people KNOW that US is NOT the best in EVERYTHING , where are you getting your brainwash ?? IT is well known that the best RAPE in today world is in SWEDEN , CHINA has the BEST death penalty in the world, THE best socialism is in CUBA, N. KOREA, and Venezuela is also on the top of the list . Russia is the best in ALCOHOLISM . you just do not have a clue.
No health care, no parental leave, 17th in the world in math and last world cup of soccer ⚽ didn't qualify. People die everyday for the lack of medicines and medical treatment and if you do not pay out of your packet for insurance you are penalized. You eat GMOs everywhere. NO THANK YOU! Canada is better! Germany is better, France is better. That's why there are regulations against american imports in the developed world and you don't see Chevrolet in Germany. FUCK YOU!!
The US does have health care and the vast majority of people are pleased with that care. We do not have a universal health care system, you ought to be more precise. We do poorly in math that is true and no one of quality gives a shite about soccer, one of most boring sports in the world, right behind cricket actually. Who dies everyday from a lack of medicine or treatment? What is your source here? Everyone pays for insurance, this is also true in most European countries. GMOs are great and save and have saved millions from starvation. Also the science is very clear on this subject, there is no danger from GMOs. Read a bit I would urge. Canada is fine though too cold and also becoming increasingly anti free speech. Germany is beautiful but also a bit regimented for my tastes and also very expensive to live in. France is great but has a perpetual 10% unemployment rate, constant strikes and transportation issues and is way expensive. You may not see Chevy in Germany but you certainly see a lot of American owed vehicles in Europe. But Germany does make great cars. I own a Porsche, myself.
i love America to ,had so much fun on my trips and the people are super friendly ,the service is spot on . i find Americans to be real open and fun to hang with .but to live there is harder than most people think it is 90% work and if you loose the grip you are out on the streets in no time
That's bullshit. The vast majority of homeless people in America are in large cities and either mentally challenged or drug users. Or both. People like to work in the US. That's a bad thing?
Chuck Cribbs I'm happy for you you've had such a blessed life. After a minor concussion at work, I had a late-20's crisis that led to years couch-surfing and sleeping in my car before I was able to secure a job that paid enough to cover rent- and I was still barely scraping by what with paying for student loans, the birth of my daughter, and 950 per month in daycare until she was 5 years old. All of these extra expenses don't exist in Europe. Americans who've never lived abroad have no idea how hard life is here and the struggle has made people so angry and bitter that they're not willing to fight to make it better for the next generation, saying things like- "if I suffered and managed to survive, so should you." It's attitudes like that make me really loose hope that this country will ever change.
no it is not i have worked since i was 17 construtions "concrete and steel" only one break the time in the army ,but a big city or not ,when i saw that lady in her 70s or more out on the streets camping outside a hospital under a tent made of sticks and plastic and flies buzzing around her it broke my heart ,it was LA..and a good area
but you are right ! it is a good spot for people that dont like to work ..and we who works pay tax after tax after tax ,,and i must loose it all to get any help if that happens ..all savings ,sell the house and get back to zero ,,and then you get some help ,so in the end the system you have might have been better for me
I enjoyed this video, I especially appreciate that you took the time to learn that socialism is not communism, which is something many Americans seem to struggle with, and therefore resist. Tack for filmen, har et bra!
iGotTalent Socialism är däremot bättre än kapitalism iaf. Kapitalistisk politik främjar korruption eftersom dom som roffar åt sig, klättrar högre. Kolla bara på usa och deras lagliga mutor via lobbyister. Nu sitter dom med Trump i ett sådant system. Det är det sämsta som hänt usa på länge. Detta är såklart bara min åsikt, och folk får tycka som dom vill. Jag skulle kunna motivera min åsikt med mer information, men orkar ärligt talat inte diskutera politik. Det är ett bottenlöst hål man helst inte går för nära.
I agree with you, no political system is perfect but of the ones available, I would choose socialism over the extreme capitalism we're expected to embrace.
Thanks for your interesting video Andrew. This and other similar videos have opened my eyes much more about how life is in the USA. I'm sorry for you guys. I live in Finland, it's not perfect but it's a paradise compared to the nightmare you seem to have. I hope more people in your country will be disillusioned and you will find a way to make it better TOGETHER. What i feel you American people have is optimism, confidence and activeness, you can use it to make good changes. It's also important for Europeans to hear these stories, because there are unfortunately forces in Europe that want to make Europe exactly the same as America. We ALL need awareness and cooperation to keep and make our world a dignified, good and safe place for everybody.
I am European born and raised. I have traveled and lived in Korea Italy Japan Germany Czech Republic Englang Irak Slovakia, Poland and others. I love all people and each country has something special to offer. But there is no country like good all USA where people from all countries could live in peace and harmony choosing their own lifestyle with high or low stress. This is the place for people that like to atcheave ultimate fulfilment it is not for comfort seekers.
In the UK 4 weeks paid holiday is usual. 5 is not uncommon. I cannot imagine what “stuff” you could offer me to give up more than half the holiday I enjoy. What good is it to have a tv in every room, 3 cars etc when you don’t really have time to enjoy even simple pleasures? I am in the process of buying more holiday time at work, which will give me 32 days plus public holidays, plus we have free healthcare. It’s not perfect but as much as I am wowed by mountains of goods in US stores, you have to ask whether it’s a good and health trade off. As they say, not many people wished they had spent more time working. I enjoy my work, but enjoy free time more.
Thanks Andrew. I am an Australian living in The Netherlands for many years. The thing that actually strikes me is the lack of differences between Oz and NL. Sure, the language, but most other things...universal healthcare, holidays, social security, education, freedoms, etc, are pretty much the same. Slight differences. Taxes are lower in Oz but benefits perhaps not as generous. More public holidays in Aust. Balances out in the end. Never sure why citizens of the US always get so worked about about the word “socialist” and link it to universal healthcare. I think it is more bizarre the US accepts paying 17% gdp on healthcare, while most other developed nations spend 10%. As indicated in the thread below, a lot of health indicators show the US really lagging in many areas. So from a purely “capitalist” perspective, paying a lot more money for poorer result. One more thing, Aust 27% of our population born overseas. US 12%. To say the US says has greater costs as it deals with a “non-homogenous” population. Load of bull.
Great comment. Could you, if you do not mind, expand more on the differences / features of Oz and NL in contrast with Netherlands? I would be highly appreciated. Cheers
NanBahlam Hi Nan. There are very few differences I can think of in terms of how government services are structured and what societal goals have been set. Costs are higher in Australia, in general (food, alcohol!!!, utilities, clothing...I think). Somethings in Australia are cheaper. Almost anything to do with a car, petrol... Going out to eat, is about the same, as is health insurance and general healthcare. I think education standards, in general in NL are higher. Still ashamed Australia is so monolingual. Think the food, in general, is better in Australia. Fresher and less processed. There are definitely some character differences. The Dutch aren’t worried as much about personal space, like to put everything in and agenda and are more traditional. Australians like their personal space, people drop in without an invite and are a little more laid back. Dutch are much more tolerant of people being sick. You have the “right” to be sick and there is no shame about it. Australians expect you to pull your weight more. Being sick is not tolerated as much. There is more social control in Aust. You are expected to behave and follow rules. We line up for buses. If you try and push in, You will get told off by numerous people, especially old people. Will think a bit more and add some more comments later.
Proton. Why all the weird conspiracy sh#t? Third World takeover! Are you really so delusional? Get a grip. And where did you pull that number for the annual Californian state budget for healthcare, or yearly spending? I think you’ve added a few too many “0s”. Do your damn homework and stop watching Fox for your info.
You live in the Netherlands. I would say BIG difference in terms of transport. Cycling, public transport. But off course thats mostly due to size of the country and population density.
Lived in Germany for nearly 4 years... same experience as what you've outlined. I was capable of living off of about 1,100 euro a month, which if I didn't have student loans or other debt from back in the US, it would have been plenty and not really even being that terribly frugal. I still ate out a fair bit, but also I cooked at home a lot. It was more affordable to cook for a single person there than it has been since moving back to the US. I still dream of the public transportation and the much higher amount of exercise I got over there because that was the norm... walking around everywhere. The lifestyles that get naturally reinforced here vs over there are just vastly different.
Aleksanteri_XIII did I say that? But yeah, other things make Sweden stick out compared to other notdic countries. Animal care for example, the way pigs and cows are treated in denmark for example is illegal and animal torture according to the law. :)
120 dollars in healthcare payment is the maximum in sweden. after that you get a card that covers everything for the rest of the year! yes, EVERYTHING!
And for that you get a pretty unaccessible health care system with little regard to you as a patient when you, after a struggle and long wait finally recieve care. People are literally dying in queues waiting to get care.
Carol Alm, this is very true. I watched friends of mine, husband and wife in Australia, have to decide who should have surgery first after their surgeries were scheduled in the same week. This after waiting a year for their surgeries. They were left with the stress "how will we take care of each other" and "Which surgery can wait 6 more months out" (Because the next available surgery date was 6 months out). It was a long and painful almost 2 years. On the other side in America, my friend in college had to have open heart surgery. Being that he was an over 21 student with no health insurance, the hospital did the surgery, of course, and the payments they worked out with him was 50 dollars a month for a year! Everyone receives care in the US! But we need to get the cost down for everyone and I think that can be achieved through associations.
Paying for care you will not be getting does not really seem like a good deal, if I need a simple appointment with a nurse I have to wait a hospital for half a day, a loss of income I cannot afford, If I book an appointment the waiting time is usually 2-3 weeks, because of that I have to get private health insurance which costs med $1100 per year to guarantee me an appointment within 24 hours, Swedish Healthcare system would like many other things in Sweden be awesome if it was actually true.
Total health expenditure per capita in US dollars 2015 Finland 3984 France 4407 Germany 5267 Sweden 5228 Canada 4608 The United States 9507 Poland 1704
Maternal mortality ratio (2015) deaths per 100,000 live births Data gatheret WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group, and the United Nations Population Division. Sweden 5 Norway 5 Finland 3 Iceland 3 Denmark 6 Poland 3 United States 28 Under-five mortality from the World Bank per 1000 live births.(2016) Sweden 2.9 Norway 2.6 Finland 2.3 Iceland 2.1 Denmark 4.4 Poland 4.7 Unite States 6.5
Those numbers certainly are "shocking," but further investigation offers several explanations for the gap. One explanation is how the numbers are counted. Infant mortality is defined as the death of babies under the age of one year, but some of the differences between countries can be explained by a difference in how we count. Is a baby born weighing less than a pound and after only 21 weeks’ gestation actually “born?” In some countries, the answer is no, and those births would be counted as stillbirths. In the United States, on the other hand, despite these premature babies’ relatively low odds of survival, they would be considered born-thus counting toward the country’s infant mortality rates.
I'm an older person, still not old enough to retire, and I've traveled a lot abroad, less so in the US, which I plan to do when I retire (I hope). I think more Americans need to go out of country more and release whatever paranoia inhibits them. But it's also expensive to do so. If people have kids, with attendant concerns about paying for sports and then college, edifying travel is going to take a backseat. So I guess I'm making your point, too: the US IS a stressful place. People come here because there's still more opportunity than in many places, but the cost for playing is high. My mother saw this back in 1970, when we went to Italy as a family. She saw some downsides over there, too, but overall thought they had it good in many ways, and she told them so. The US is very economically driven. As such, many of the recommendations that you make will likely not occur. Things have worsened since so many companies became publicly traded. All they care about is producing results for investors, not about environmental impact, what's best for the consumer, etc. I get a lot of time off, but I'm in the nonprofit sector, and I make less money. That's the trade-off that many people cannot or will not make due to needs, wants, raising kids, etc. However, I don't have enough money for retirement. Now what? Yep...welcome to America. Not exactly a bed of roses.
I have a solution for several of the problems you bring to the table. Basically, we should have laws that establish that every government official on the nation gets paid minimum wage and only allow them to have the basic healthcare, with this done you will start to see how politicians will start doing their jobs thinking the same way, and with the same struggling problems to resolve, that a common middle-class citizen. Politicians don't know the everyday sacrifice that a normal person has to go through to bring food to the table, and I don't think they care.
That's such an interesting idea. The minimum living standard would go up so much. I can see it leading to a lot of corruption, though. Government officials who are barely able to get by must be quite easily corrupted. At the moment, the US seems like a corrupted mess anyway, so it may still be better than the current situation.
I am US born (Dutch immigrant parents), raised in The Netherlands and moved back to the US for adulthood at age 22. And I can sound the same as this UA-camr and often do. It is true, in the US we have been losing our middle class and decent representative well functioning government and it shows in ways that many UA-cam expats express because they now have different perspectives and other countries to compare to. When I express my criticisms of the US it comes from a love for the US, being so frustrated with the country that I love and knowing that we can do better and wanting fellow citizens to know. I think that most people who criticize their own country are the same way. There is one beef that I have with all these Europeans, and American expats who ALL point out the short work weeks and long vacations in Europe as if it's a great thing, I disagree! First, we have the same in the US, every American working, can make whatever agreement about hours per week and vacation time they want that is agreeable between employee and employer, you can work 5 hours per week and take 48 weeks of vacation if that's what you want. And, no, I am not creating some unrealistic scenario. I have been with countless employers and have been one myself. I see women who have to leave work each day at 2:00PM to get their kids out of school. They make an agreement with their employer, it often gets resolved. I see people working only 4 days because they have a second interest, because after age 50 they decided to slow down, because they have a hobby that they are passionate about, and it gets resolved. Ahh, but you say, what about those low income-ish workers who are forced to work so many hours for financial reasons? They SEEM to exist but is it the whole truth? Didn't this UA-camr say that we American all consume more than we need to, our cars are huge (don't need to be), I see every other person in the US with a $1,200 phone which they replace every two years for a newer one, where as I see, still lots of $30 Nokio flip phones in Europe. Point is, whether Americans are aware or not, they make choices which they are not forced into that cause them to have to work so hard. In Europe often, the choice does not exist, it's made for you. Second, there a truth that you guys have to come to terms with, I am a Chef and in The Netherlands I worked 70 hours per week, there were others who didn't but they were not called Chefs, kitchen helpers or what have you. The truth is that, often, if you are so intent on your 18 hour work week and 30 weeks of vacation, you are stamping and labeling yourself as a NON ESSENTIAL worker. CEO's and directors don't work 30 hours a week, easily replaceable people do!!!! Of course this is not for every scenario; if you are a doctor, in a sizable city, in a hospital, schedules can be made resulting in more reasonable hours because you are not the only doctor in the place, but what if you are the only doctor in a small rural town? People just going to be without medical care for 8 weeks every year because the doctor is sunbathing on a beach.........for 8 weeks!! I think what all these people making such a deal about the short work really mean, is they want to work less and have someone else pick up the bill. , like the government. Governments don't have money, the only money they have is what they take from us. Make the employer pay? Only large employers have the overhead to do so. The starting and small company can't. This is why large companies are agreeable, they can afford and it prevent them from facing competition from small businesses because they don't start up for the same reasons. There is no magic around this, you work less, you're less productive, some one will pay. Technology and advancements do make people more productive and brings us back to the same start; with the new technology, you work less, you're less productive, some one pays.
4? .. no.. As far as i know every swede has at least 5 weeks. Some have 6 weeks. For several years i have had between 5-9 weeks vacation every year.. Vacation days + child care days + overtime compensation leave (maximum 2 weeks).
I have lived in 5 different countries this year and I'm so much happier after leaving the United States. I'm a proud American also but what you said about fear is so true. I have been all over Asia, South America, Europe and the Middle East and had zero problems in any place I've been to and my family has been so afraid for me any time I go anywhere. I'm no longer afraid of Muslims, or living in any other country. I love people and life so much more now. I'm not sure if I'll ever live in America again. Life is so easy in other countries
I am USA. Here we have multiple levels of government and they all have a requirement of taxation. Local govt. County govt. State govt. National govt. Sales tax, gas tax, excise tax, I am going to google this. I am certain that I have barely scratched the surface.
I live in Texas...we run a/c almost all year here because it is way hotter here than Sweden. Public transportation isnt safe...and my state is way bigger than many countries in Europe so walking everywhere or taking trains just are not feasible..the DFW metro area by itself is as big as the state of Connecticut...and there are about 5 million people here...and about 30 million in my state...the numbers and climate and size could not be more different than a small country in northern Europe....different needs for different places.
One size fits all policy doe snot work at all. The free healthcare will cost more than 36 trillions dollars in next10 years while we have 22 trillions debt. Mike sure to use commonsense. In addition, you guys pay very high tax that is unbearable.
5 років тому+4
4 of the top 10 countries in the global quality of life study are SOCIALIST countries such as Sweden, the focus of this vlog. America ranked 19th in the last study, and is dropping every year. Our education and healthcare ranked in the high 30s.
SWEDEN IS NOT A SOCIALIST COUNTRY. For the love of God, learn what words means, and especially the word "socialist." In a Socialist country, the government owns the means of production. That is NOT the case in Sweden. Sweden. Sweden is a constitutional monarchy and has a parliamentary democracy with a vast social welfare system that is becoming increasingly more expensive. The people who live there pay extremely high taxes and inordinately high prices for everyday items from soap to lightbulbs to food. Additionally, there are far fewer choices for goods there as it is a very small country with a population of about10 million.Comparisons to the US are somewhat ridiculous, as obviously what works for 10 million isn't necessarily going to fit a population of 330 million people.
There isn't a "lack of resources" in the USA, it's just that you prioritize the military, and it's gone to an absurd level. 54% of your budged goes to the military, that's INSANE. Sweden has around 7% to healthcare, while the US has around 5%, so you would only need to lower that 54% down to 52 % and you could have the same "free" healthcare system as in Sweden.
.. and increase sales tax to 25% including on clothes and 12% sales tax on all food purchases along with a long list of other taxes. It is never free (which I get the sense that you know which is why you said ''free''). Sweden works better because it has less irresponsible people but with its open borders policy and by allowing non-taxpayers and non-citizens to benefit from the welfare system they will eventually go into a financial crisis.
Actually no, they would only have to change their priorities. In Sweden the government spends 10437 dollars per citizen, the US government spends 12225 dollars per citizen. So basically the US is just using money "less effectively" than Sweden (when talking about health care and school systems, hard to say if it's really less effectively since it's hard to estimate how effective the US military is and that's where the majority of the money goes). If you find this strange (since Sweden pays a lot more taxes than the US) the reason behind this is simple, the US is in debt and taking more and more loans every year while Sweden has a surplus almost every year.
The government will spend $4.407 trillion in 2019. Most of this, about 62 percent of expenditure, pays for mandated benefits such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Interest on the U.S. debt is $363 billion. The U.S. Treasury must pay it to avoid a U.S. debt default. The United States has been fortunate because interest rates have been low. A worldwide flight to safety increased demand for Treasury notes, lowering rates. Now that the global economy is strengthening, Treasury yields are rising. So will interest payments. Interest on the $21 trillion debt is already the fastest growing federal expense. The remaining 38 percent of the budget pays for everything else. It's called discretionary spending. The U.S. Congress changes this amount each year. It uses the president's budget as a starting point. The discretionary budget is $1.203 trillion. More than half goes toward military spending, including the Department of Veterans Affairs and other defense-related departments. The rest must pay for all other domestic programs. The largest are Health and Human Services, Education, and Housing and Urban Development. There is an emergency fund of $111.4 billion that's not included in the budget process. Most of that, amounting to $88.9 billion, goes to Overseas Contingency Operations to pay for wars.
Huh, you're right, I only looked at the discretionary budget, looking at the whole thing around 25% goes to healthcare. Soo... wait what, the US is just using it's money extremely inefficient or why is health care so expensive there? Sweden uses 7% of it's budget for healthcare, and Sweden's budget is less per capita than the US so where is all that extra money going :S Does it just cost that much more to run a larger country? :S
All I can say is W O W.. I would surely sink in to depression if I barely was able to have 3 weeks of vacation every year. Sure in Sweden you have a legal right to have 4 weeks of coherent vacation but that entirely depends on how much vacation you have to spend. In my current employment contract I have the right to 25 vacation days which can be used freely during the entire year. Any unused vacation days are stored and can be used during a period of 5 years. Government employees even have 6 weeks of vacation time.
+yaimavol 1. There's an election in like a month so we'll see who's gonna be the government then. 2. It's not even near that bad. Yes, welfare might be worse than it has previously been as a result of badly managed institutions and imigration, but the far right's fear-mongering propaganda about a Sweden in free-fall is absolutely incorrect.
25 days is the minimum by law. You have a right to 4 weeks coherent vacation during the months of June, July and August, unless otherwise agreed upon. Unlike what Funkywallot claims, there is no change in the amount of vacation days. What he probably is referring to is the agreement that the state made with their corresponding unions that gives 31 days from the age of 40 and 32 days from the age of 50. Many companies follow that, it is not in any law tho.
yaimavol Sorry mate, but our economy is booming, and have done that for awhile! But the only fears we have now is your president’s trade wars against all your allies and friends, it’s gone fuck up your economy and ours in the long run. Maybe you should get your information from some other places then Infowars, Breitbart or Faux News!
Very interesting perspective. I've also noticed how stressed we are in America, and I've never even lived in any other country, so I have no baseline to compare it to. I like what you said about the simple act of drinking a cup of coffee. I see places that would make a great location for a coffee shop, like down by a harbor, for example. I mentioned that to a guy who owns several coffee shops in the area, and he said that in America, that wouldn't work because Americans don't drink coffee for the enjoyment of it. A coffee shop in America has to be on a major route that many people take to work, and the process of ordering it has to be fast and convenient. I'm sure in Europe, people will sit and enjoy a cup of coffee in a nice quaint shop, the way we would go out to a nice restaurant to enjoy a meal. I've also thought about living abroad, but I'm concerned there might be a language barrier. Do people in Sweden speak English, or are you expected to speak Swedish? I understand Swedish is a difficult language to learn. Has anyone had any experience with language while living abroad?
Yes, most sweetish people can communicate in English. Also you can find a lot of written info in English in addition to Swedish. Although if you were planning to stay there for a longer period of time you would probably like to invest the time and learn the language. It may rather be subjective (English not being my native tongue) but I don’t think it would be much harder to learn than English.
Ula Yee Good to know. Thank you for the information! I agree that if I were to live in another country, I would learn their language. But it's nice to know that I wouldn't be completely lost in the beginning.
Hello, BooBoo Bear, I am an American living in a European country and my first comment is that if you make this choice it is a matter of respect and the ability to function normally, that make it very important to learn the other language, even at the most basic level. Just as we require in the USA. All of the countries have language schools and people open up to you on a much friendlier and helpful level if you are at least trying to communicate in their language. An attitude of arrogance is very much frowned upon. As far as I am informed, every country in Europe teaches English from primary school thru high school. People here realize the importance of being bi-lingual, although they very often will study 2, 3 or 4 languages. It is typically a very short distance between borders here!! French is still very popular in most of the countries, and German has gained a very rapid momentum in the past 10 years. This, of course, is largely due to where graduating students are able to find jobs.
BooBoo Bear No, you would not only not experience a language barrier but I’m sure you would also find Swedish people being extra kind and helpful in finding your way around. Although it was never my experience, it came to me as a shock to find out that in the USA when you ask someone for directions you may be given a wrong info intentionally just for fun of sending you the opposite way.
Actually, we ran out of toilet paper. Some people in our country hoarded all of it for themselves and we were stuck without it for at least a month. I remember empty shelves and you can only buy 1 per household if a shipment came in. Weird couple of months.
Though I can understand your sentiment and as an Australian that does benefit from a publicly funded healthcare system that has not had any experience outside of that healthcare system, I could not imagine providing healthcare to a population of 324 million people that equals that of Sweden without a MASSIVE tax increase. Also the United States is not a socialist nation and does not have a socialist government in power, if anything, they should reduce the cost of medical care and medicine in the US so that more people can afford basic medical attention without having to remortgaging their house.
I totally agree with you about the high level of consumerism being at the root of environmental issues. Sweden over consumes certainly but I think the USA is the world's best at it. Lots of people in Sweden are turning more towards a minimalistic way of life now, as are a very few people in the US, hopefully a growing movement!
I agree as well. However, even though Sweden is sometimes perceived as a progressive country, 90% of the political establishment is against consuming less and will jump at any opportunity to ridicule those who speak about it.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and ideas. I will never forget when I went to the Dominican Republic, I was shocked at the poverty and how everyone was so happy even though they had very little. Americans are just miserable people. It's disturbing how some citizens can support a political party that offers them nothing in return. We are working ourselves to death and dying sooner than most other developed countries. I hope to be able to leave this country in the near future.
Infant death is also very high in the USA. I was shocked to find that we are very low on the ranking of nations on infant mortality. Good lord. We cannot even keep babies alive.
@@jackcapone4375My comment was no generalization. Research concluded that the United States ranked 18 in the world for happiness. It fell four spots in just one year while the top ten countries remained in their spots. So while I can't speak for everyone, I can speak for the research that say that the majority of Americans aren't happy. This is also a comment section and as of right now, we have free speech in America so I'm exercising my right to comment. If you don't like it, move right on past my comment.
@@jackcapone4375 Anyone with a bit of intelligence would look at the murder and violence rate in the US and know that Americans are "just miserable"...Wow, using those quotation marks made me feel more intelligent. "Thanks"
I moved to London from the US and man i am NEVER going back. The way of life here in Europe is just amazing. Not perfect, but a lot better than the US. The education system, healthcare, and work/life balance is makes you enjoy life so much more.
I'm English and now living in the USA, so I can see pretty much everything you've described but from the other perspective, and I agree with nearly everything you've said. The USA is a strange place. I love it and I love the people. I live in the Midwest, so farming country, and people are honest (well, mostly - assholes are everywhere. No country has the monopoly on that...), hard working (mostly), generous and friendly (mostly), but the USA seems to be in it's own little bubble universe where every other country on the planet is seen as a caricature, and no-one here believes they're actually real. The American media is to blame (imo) and it's very scary, and people seem to lap it up and actually believe them. If anyone who isn't American has seen FOX news, then you'll know what I mean. Words like "socialism" are seem as Communism, when it actually means "what is best for society". A Liberal is seen as some sort of hippy sponger when one of the definitions of Liberal actually means free & open minded, and was the whole foundation of the USA in the first place - Liberal/Liberty - it comes from the same word. When I hear some of the things people here say about how universal healthcare and a legal requirement for a company to provide 5 weeks paid vacation is socialism/communism I just have to face-palm. Anyway, I'm closing in on 2 years at my current place of work, so I'll get a whole 40 hours of paid time off. Yeah, fuck this shit.
Why in hell are you in the USA? If I had a choice, I wouldn't be there. I hope you can return home to a much more sane nation although the UK seems to be America's lap dog.
jipster2020 Mass Media are categorised as the 4th authority with the other 3 being government, justice system and police. The last 3 are considered mandatory for a country with democracy as it's political system (any kind of democracy), yet it is highly believed that the 4th authority is actually the one that has all the power because it forms opinions.
@ArizonaWillful Well, the UK has it's weirdness too in all honesty. The media is almost as bad, especially the ones Murdoch owns (who also owns Fox) but it's not quite as sensationalist and most people realise that he is a total c**t so don't really take any of his media outlets seriously. On the whole people also hate our politicians, rather than support them, because they can be trusted about as much as the media. When you say that the UK is America's lapdog, I'd say our government is willing to be a lapdog yes, but the rest of the nation thinks differently. You can't blame a nation for what it's government does. The UK also has a high cost of living (primarily for transport), housing is expensive, the weather is pretty crap, Brexit has pretty much screwed everything up and the people moan a lot - about everything, but we do know how to party ! Despite that I'd move back in an instant but my wife is American, and I'd rather be here with her than have free healthcare, a minimum of 28 days paid vacation (by law) and actually be able to drive a proper car with a gearstick. America is a great place, and I love it, including because of it's natural "F*** You - we do what we want-ness" (which I actually admire) - but it doesn't hold back on the weirdness, that's for sure. @Astrid I don't doubt that for a second, as sadly scary as that is. We cancelled satellite in the end because I have no patience for all the commercials bombarding me with shit I don't want, don't need and don't want to hear about. And the media. I'd say thankfully the Internet provides me with what I need to know, but thanks to Trump, even that might now start to cost extra if net-neutrality gets squashed.
jipster2020 I'm sorry about your experience here in America. 😞 I completely understand, though. We *are* bombarded with sensationalized news, drug commercials, and have America talked up *so much* like we're the greatest thing ever, that I had to cringe at my young co-worker's recent comment that America is "a Utopia". 😲😒 *He* would be an example of someone who wouldn't even consider "life" outside of the U.S. The brainwashing is *real* . But not everyone is like that. Personally, I'd rather live in the UK (a Nation I've never been to yet, but have been long drawn to). It just resonates with me more. Even if that never happens, I think it's very important that one visits countries outside of their own to get the "complete picture" (for better or worse). It can only enrich your life and either make you better appreciate where you live, or make you want to leave.. 😉 Cheers! 😊
FabFour Fever I've been to the US, had a great time and I'm mediterannean, which is slightly different from the UK where US citizens find usually more in common with them than in other European countries. But I've traveled in Europe, too, and I can relate to many things with other europeans. What we see as differences hasn't got to do with all americans, just the typical way of thinking of the typical "american" who thinks US is the best place in the world, with the best political and social system (and no, social isn't communist) and calls himself american and his country America, even though America is a continent, downsizing the existence of everyone else in this continent, which sounds a bit racist. Still, I haven't visited many places in the US I'd like to, ie New Orleans which is a great mixture of cultures and many other places and I'm still planning to do it. I just hope the next time I'm there you'll have a bit more of that freedom you so much talk about and we europeans don't think you have. Have a nice day ;)
What I have noticed is that in many European countries this quality of life thing is so ingrained into society. Shorter work weeks, more vacation time, having a 2 hour lunch break to go home and eat meals with your family, and more are just expected. And even with all of this, the people are more productive and happier at their jobs and lives. And most employers are of the same mind...Happier employees makes for more productive employees. I highly recommend the Michael Moore documentary "Where to invade next" as it covers some of the best things from Europe that could be taken back and used in the US.
Michael Moore and his propagandistic documentaries are not to be taken seriously by any objective person. The European life style is absolutely more laid back than in the USA but they are also considerably poorer, far less productive and much more dependent. These are considerable trade offs. I understand the European mentality as I do the American one. Both have merit and pitfalls. It all depends on what you want and how you want to live.
As an Australian who has visited America multiple times, I totally agree with everything in this video. America’s a great country, but their population is so fearful and paranoid of things outside its own borders.
It's a cliché (although clichés become clichés for a good reason) that Americans live to work, whereas Swedes (and plenty of other nationalities) work to live. I was in Chicago in the mid-90s, as part of a month-long trip around the US when I was in my early 30s, and locals I got talking to couldn't believe that everyone in Sweden got at least 5 weeks off work each year - and actually got paid MORE during that period for the privilege! Sweden isn't perfect, but I know where I'd rather live.
I have to agree with him on the quality of life being better and not just in Sweden but most of western Europe then it is in the US. I've traveled and lived around Europe and America over the years, New York and San Francisco in the US and Milan and Manchester in the EU. I find stress levels are lower when in Europe then the US and not just of myself but other people as well, I also find working conditions to be better in Europe and I feel the overall system does a much better job of looking after the poor and middle classes better then what the US does. But don't get me wrong, we have good and bad in all countries but having lived in many, I perfer European countries. Also, I know Europeans consume less then Americans but that doesn't mean we are worse off because since moving back to the UK about 10 years ago, I made a promise to myself to become more eco friendly without reducing my quality of living, I know it would take many years of replacing things in the house but over time, almost everything has been replaced and now I'm using about half the energy I was 10 years ago whiles not downgrading my living standards and in fact I have more tech items around the house then I did 10 years ago. What I'm trying to say is that you can reduce your foot print without reducing your quality of life if you put some thought into in when buying things over the long run and it does wonders for the energy bills. I think what we should remember on why Europe went the path it did and why America went it's own path is down to world war two, it was a major wake up call for Europeans and we saw first hand how bad it was whereas for most Americans, it was a distance war in another land, that allowed Europeans to do major changese in the social system that would have been much harder to do otherwise. So even thought I think the US would benefit by adopting many Europeans standards, it wont be easy to do because of the profit nature we see in the US and that wont change anytime soon. Anyway, I think what really stands out between the two is that Europe have a more social system that looks after it's people better with more of a safty net whereas the US is every man for themselves, the problem is with the US model is that it allows too much wealth into fewer hands at the expense of everyone else. Also, higher taxes are not a bad thing if used right, Europeans pay more in taxes then Americans but we get so many benefits from them and what I like about that is that it looks after everyone, rich or poor. One last thing, I remember when living in the US, patriotism was off the scale in the US and in a way that I thought was negative in the sense that it seems to blind a lot of Americans of whats really going on around the country and world, it also makes it difficult to criticize bad things in the US without being seen as un-american and that to me is the real problem in the US, change is hard at the best of times but if people can't admit there is problems that others are doing a better job at, change never really happens and I find that to be the case in the US with how they dismiss a lot of the social system we see in Europe out of hand because it's not American, it feels to me that most other modern countries around the world are leaving the US behind and maybe thats why Trump got elected, the problem is that blind patriotism isn't doing Americans any favors because it's blinding them to how things are developing elseware around the world.
Indeed, many Americans, even professionals with higher educations, assume America is best at everything. That phrase, "We got the best [insert here] in the world," seems hardwired. What's even more maddening is that any solutions to America's problems are always treated as theoretical, ignoring existing examples by the rest of the world.
Right-wing American economists believe America has the highest standard of living based on the fact that we have the money to buy the most stuff. What they fail to realize is all the most important basics healthcare housing and education have become unaffordable but we can buy smart phones all day long. What Europe provides is security in the basics and as it turns out security equals happiness. Buying less stuff and affording the basics is what makes a happy people. So the question is what metric you use to determine what a standard of living is.
You really ought not believe all the propaganda you are getting. We have great health care, housing and education and though the education is more expensive than in Europe, the USA still dominates at the University level. Certainly education at the lower levels varies highly in the USA but it is also public and paid for by taxes. Our health care also is world class and in many areas superior to European care, depending on the nation and service. Before Obama care some 85% of Americans polled said they were satisfied with their health care. Also in terms of housing, American housing is clearly superior to anything going on in Europe and is substantially cheaper unless you are in San Francisco or New York or coastal California, where prices are similar to European levels. European systems do provide the basics but they also intervene a great deal in personal lives and markets, which makes everything more difficult and more expensive. The average American prefers more individual choice and control over his or her life; prefers to keep more of his own income and likes spending themselves, rather than have the govt do so for them. Certainly there are various trade offs but overall the US is vastly wealthier than Europe and this translates into more opportunity overall, though not for each individual, depending on their personal choices and circumstances.
Your last sentence already says it all. In most of Europe it doesn't matter how or where or in which family you grew up in, you get free education and healthcare anyway, so basically everyone has the same opportunities in life and this is the meaning of real freedom to me personally. But apparently US-Americans are just very egoistic. I'll gladly pay 40% of my income to the state if that means me, my family and everyone around me don't have to go bankrupt if we get sick or want to got to college.
What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, but lose his soul? o true, we put money before ourselves, and other people, and our higher power, its sad! whatever happened to love of God, and neighbor!
writerconsidered, you forgot to add, Americans can’t afford to buy those goods, it all on credit cards, coz each wants to create the illusion of success. They’re a national culture of debt.
It's always so nice to hear an American who is not calling European style health care socialist or communist. Most Americans are disgusted by the idea and feel it is akin to being mugged at gunpoint and that using it will most likely kill you instead of heal you. In Britain, the health care system has been in trouble for a few years, but this is because it is under attack from American drug companies, and an influx of migrants and health tourists are not helping the situation. But before all this started happening it was fantastic just as it is in Sweeden and other countries. Imagine if you paid a little bit more on your tax, less than what you pay for your insurance and you no longer have to pay your insurance, so your better off straight away. And you will never have an insurance claim turned down.
No offense, but health care here in Sweden is NOT fantastic. Yes, we have the competence to create wonders, but the work conditions are so horrible no one wants to work here. And those who do have to do 3 peoples' work and burn themselves out and have to go on sick leave for a year and those left get even more work to do. The queues are ridiculous, people literally die on the emergency waiting for care. There is never enough time, doctors dismiss you because you're not deadly ill, they are rude and do errors all the time. The Swedish health care is horrible, and the psychiatric care is a joke. I have a chronic illness, so I've been in the health care system for 15 years, so I know what I talk about. HUGE improvement needs to take place, and until then people are sent home to die.
To provide national health care in the United States, to be affordable, people would have to pay as much as 50% of their income, and maybe even more, in taxes. It won't work here. Ask any economist instead of a politician looking for votes.
@@purplenights1 What if the US just cut their military budget by two thirds? The US would still massively outspend the rest of the world. They'd have 400 billion extra to spend on healthcare. If we can have good healthcare that doesn't bankrupt sick people in many European countries, why can't the US?
@@Anna133199 Because small European countries are much easier to provide healthcare for than the massive United States. And people in the United States would never agree to allow half their income to be taken up to provide health care to the masses. Most people prefer their private insurance companies and do not want to see the government manage a failed healthcare system. The Veterans' Health Care Program here in the US has cost much more than originally anticipated, and the level of healthcare is low for the benefit that it gives. Most of the elderly do not even like Medicare, and it is costly even at a reduced price.
I agree with you. As an American who has lived half my life in America and half in the Netherlands (over 30 years), I have also noticed that my countrymen thrive on fear and could certainly learn greater social lessons by traveling/living abroad themselves more often.
I am not sure that thriving on fear is possible. We are diminished by it, especially by fear of one another. Yes, I am American, and have travelled abroad. I am in my 50s, and do remember a warmer friendlier America, that tried to live up to its ideals. I want to see us find our way out if the present morass, where so many people live in poverty or in fear of it, and in fear of one another. We could do so much more in terms of health care, and treating all people as humans regardless of income, but there is fear of the poor, even as more and more fall into poverty. And people vote against their interests. It feels insane.
America was very good to me when I lived there. I had the opportunity to meet people who became lifelong friends & I experienced the life of the very wealthy & also the very poor. My home is New Zealand & I was horrified that the basic human right of Free healthcare was not available. It was the 80's and I saw my 1st homeless person in Santa Monica CA. I have never forgotten the 1000's of homeless people who were ignored & left to rot in allies with cardboard boxes for shelter. When my son was born I discided to return to NZ so that he would be raised in a country where people care about each other & it would never be Normal to see homeless sick people sleeping in doorways. The US is a fantastic place to live if you have $1000,000's but for ordinary people, life is extremely 3rd world.
I'm great believer in moderation in all aspects of life. Eat less, work less, own less. Lower overhead more freedom it's simple. Keep healthy, exercise regularly by walking, cycling on short journeys. Eat fresh food with lots of fruit and veg. Keep slim and watch your weight. Try not drink much alcohol. Expensive in Sweden.
As a European, I would say that in America you live to work, in Europe we work to live.
And that is easier to do in Europe when America is paying more for your defense than your own country. U.S. taxpayers have been subsidizing European defense for decades. This has also allowed some countries to dole out more benefits to their citizens.
Wow. I won't say your comment was idiotic, even though I am a war-mongering American, but I wonder if you are a victim of the America-hating propaganda machine. It certainly doesn't sound like the America I know. It's true that in our history we have been guilty of horrible atrocities, including our treatment of the native American Indians and 300 years of slavery, but we also have a history of coming to the defense of many people outside our country who were, and are, victims of horrible atrocities. Here we see a lot of problems coming out of the middle east with radical Muslims (personally I think Islam is a radical religion), and not only because of the 9/11 attack. Maybe we are victims of the middle east-hating propaganda machine?
And notice I didn't say anything derogatory about Europe?
@@jamesgeers309 Another idiotic comment from you. 9/11 had nothing to do with muslims but everything to do with Israel who was responsible for the false flag attack. Well, I will say something derogatory about Europe, a continent that shames itself by allowing European countries to be vassals of Washington.
I went to your home page and saw you posted something from cnn. That tells me everything I need to know about you.
@@jamesgeers309 And I don't need to visit your homepage to know that you are a shill, a troll spreading disinformation, just from the way you write.
As an American it is very strange that we let our government spend trillions of dollars in wars, foreign entanglements, we are afraid to ask for a better medical system, a better education system, we do not complain, we sit quiet and just take the abuse. Our political system is corrupt...we have accepted the fact that our politicians can be bought at will by corporation....and the answer is "go get a second job to make it to the end of the month"
Very true
The answer I get when I suggest even the slightest improvement is "If you don't like it, get out". That about sums up the intellectual level of the common person, proudly defiantly fighting against any change that might make their lives better because it might be (gasp) socialism (which Americans visualize as Stalinist Russia). Right wing media has really driven America nuts.
"As an American it is very strange that we let our government spend trillions of dollars in wars, foreign entanglements, we are afraid to ask for a better medical system, a better education system, we do not complain, we sit quiet and just take the abuse" As an european, I can't understand that neither ? We are dealing with high state corruption in France too though..
Work 2 jobs and do illegal stuff to survive. That’s the majority of poor Americans. I moved to Canada.
martin crespo 😢
For a Dutch person it's a bit weird that Americans often begin and end their video's with "don't get me wrong, I love America and I am not political " if they want to address things that could be different/better in their own country.
I'm Dutch and when I don't like something about The Netherlands, I will just go out and say it. Free speech and all...
No worries.
Not like you Americans obviously, who live in "the land of the free and the brave "
You must admit, it's a bit weird
H00P0N0P0N0 - my first thought as well. Because the US was a nation of mixed migrants the schools introduced a programme of nationalist propaganda, making every kid salute the flag, sing the anthem, etc. They also introduced the idea that anyone who wasn’t openly patriotic was a traitor. Then in the 1950s the US was the worlds richest and most powerful country and made Americans very proud. They have yet to get to grips with the fact that America is no longer nos 1.
In the words of the great and fantastic Jeff Daniels (or Aaron Sorkin- I’ll watch *anything* by Aaron Sorkin) .........
ua-cam.com/video/ML3qYHWRIZk/v-deo.html
@@H00P0N0P0N0 I'm from the US and also a big Aaron Sorkin fan.....interesting observation you've made. I believe the reason YT videos often begin with a disclaimer of sorts is that our country has become extremely divided over the politics of the current administration, so much so that people are afraid of being attacked if they are seen to be the slightest bit questioning of their country or government. I think this has been borne out just by reading the comments under this video by the "My country, love it or leave it" nuts. What used to distinguish us was the encouragement of dialogue and debate. Now people are afraid to speak for fear of being attacked. Freedom? I don't think so.
@Majed Gallivant Nah
I think one reason he says he's not against America and not pushing for any particular politics is so he can cater to an all inclusive audience and not have his ideas shut down by bias.
Frightened of their own governments, frightened of the police,frightened of neighbours,frightened of being sick,
Frightened of blacks, frightened of white
frightens of guns, frightens of no guns ....
All the evil comes from fear
I’ve really noticed that just on social media comments and it’s not all about the big stuff either it can be everything from I can’t let my cat out she will be murdered by a psycho or eaten by wolves or even i can’t have a cat with claws it may scratch me and then i will get a terrible infection. To posts about handicrafts you can’t use that paint because...... or you can’t use that design somebody 50 years ago had this thing happen. All you hear is the fear. It seems to me that people in the US are just brought up to be constantly afraid in a way that we in Europe don’t even think about. I wonder what happened to cause it?!?!?!
@@Bonglecat Liberals. Liberals happened. You're never safe unless you let the government do everything for you, that's the mindset they're trying to promote.
Every first world nation in the world except the US has either free or heavily subsidised universal health care. Pretty much every second and even third world nation also has it. The idea that the US cannot afford to do it is ridiculous. You do realise that the rest of the world is utterly baffled by this, right ?
Healthcare is not free .. you just pay for it differently. You pay for it in every purchase you make and every service you take. The US chooses not to pay for it like that .. has nothing to do with ability to pay.
We do have free healthcare for the impoverished and means-tested health care for the working poor. Do you think the thousands shot and injured in our cities every year are turned away from the emergency rooms? No, absolutely not. Each and everyone receives top rated free medical care. Do you think impoverished pregnant woman are giving birth in back alleys? No, absolutely not. Each and everyone receives tops rated free medical care. Do you think the children of impoverished families go untreated for illnesses or injuries? No, absolutely not. Each and everyone receives top rated free medical care. Absolutely free for them as they have no income to be taxed to pay into the system that provides for their top rated free medical care.
Riiigth. I'm sure that the healthcare provided in free clinics is top rated, and exactly the same as for people with the most comprehensive insurance. I'm sure that the health care provided to those with insurance is only what they actually need and at reasonable prices. I'm sure that your for-profit doctors don't charge outrageous prices for even the most basic thing, and tack on extra services and medicine to bump up their profit margin. I'm sure that people don't go bankrupt from insane medical bills. I'm sure doctors are not bribed with kick-backs and free trips to 'conferences' in exotic locations to push a company's drug on as many patients as possible. I'm sure the pharma companies do not gouge hospitals and clinics on prices. I'm sure people are not trapped in jobs they hate because leaving will lose them their health insurance.
Maybe you should look into how health services in Europe work directly and stop believing political propaganda. Maybe you should look at just how international health organisations rank US healthcare and how far down the list the US actually is. Also saying that free healthcare is not free because it's paid for by taxes is like saying free samples are not free because the company just passes the cost onto the consumer through raised prices. It's just a political word game.
You stated "Every first world nation in the world except the US has either free or heavily subsidized universal health care." The concept that it is free is a misnomer by those who push utilization the European economic model. If you do not want to be criticized about the use of the word free, don't use the word free in describing your healthcare system.
And while the European model appears to be good for maintaining health over broad populations, it is not as good at innovations. Hence, we would prefer it if you just said thank you and enjoy your free healthcare.
Trevor. This is the problem. The US broadcasts it's politics and internal problems all over the world. I get most of my news online and am likely more familiar with what is happening in the US than what is happening in my own country. Also most people you come across in places like UA-cam threads are going to be Americans. Combine that with the general ignorance and disinterest of Americans of things that happen outside their borders that do not directly concern them and it limits the topics somewhat. At least topics where both sides are informed.
As for pushing a European economic model, what do you think the US uses? Sure you have put your own spin on it, but most things in the US are based on, or emerged from European culture. Capitalism, Democracy, Republics, Science and technology... all from Europe. Of course now the flow has reversed. The US is the worlds cultural hub and Europe, and the rest of the world, are being changed by US culture much more than the US is being changed anymore. But then, that is the fear. I have no problem adopting positive American culture. I just don't want all the negative stuff to come along with it. The for-profit healthcare industry, the for-profit education system, the gun and drug culture, the worship of celebrities and glorification of gang culture and vigilantism, the complete corruption of the political system, the anti-intellectualism and rejection of science, the religious extremism that we got rid of long ago.
I have lived in Germany for 18 years now and agree, 100%, with everything Andrew said!!! Quality of life, and above all CIVILITY is priceless!
Yeah. A country where you get paid to stay at home and be useless.
@@michaelmontana5566 Lol. Triggered.
@@dionnakemp4291 Never triggered. I'm a little to centered for that. Just a realist. Got friends that are native and they look around at friends and often feel their lives are being waisted by the usefulness they are subjected to living.
@@michaelmontana5566 *too *wasted
Also, what in the almighty hell kind of word salad is "their lives are being wasted by the usefulness they are subjected to living"?!? Were you having a stroke when you wrote that?!
@@michaelmontana5566 None of that I true. I lived in Germany when I was a child and teen; my entire white half of me lives throughout Europe and live a good life. I have cousins there that never went to college, but have high paying jobs there that in the US would require a college degree, but because of Germany's educational programs-- it's not that uncommon. I have family there that are chefs and live well, yet work far less hours than the average chef in the US. You can still own a business and be rich as a have an aunt that owns a family business that sells automobil parts and has been around since the 50s when her father (my uncle) started it and she has more money than the rest of the family along with nice cars and two homes. I have a cousin with severe cancer and is getting quality healthcare for little to no cost. I know some Americans that chose to go to Germany for their education (I wish I had done the same in hindsight); you can go to a private university and spend only a few hundred dollars on tuition for each semester and have the benefit of a stipend. Food is also cheap in Germany. When I go visit family there, it really is a great time as we just have cookouts almost every night, drink good liquor till the sun comes up, indulge in the nightlife, and it all reminds me of the good times I have in the US with people here. It's not that different than the US actually, but it does have some programs that the US really could benefit having themselves. I encourage you to visit Germany, of you haven't already, and see how most people like their lives there. Thank you for taking the time to read my testimony.
Everyone needs to gain a new perspective on their own country by looking at it from the outside...
^
Very well said
@iconoclast I don't think you know anything about Americans and just watch media. I agreed tht it's a good idea to look from the outside. We are more opened minded than you think, the media makes everything look bad. Travel america and educate yourself, dont just come here and see places like new York and LA, meet the other citizens throughout the country as a whole. Our government is horrible and us as citizens are trying to speak out towards this. Out government and media makes us look bad.
Indeed. People who see things for the first time without any preconceptions can open one's eyes to both the best and worst in a place or situation you see as 'normal'.
+Ivie Murphy Iconoclast is clearly an American who knows his country and the "wingnuts" here very well. You just proved you are a wingnut.
I have lived abroad since 2015. As much as I love being American, I don't really feel like I belong with them anymore. I cannot relate to the mentality.
I hope you still haven’t come back yet.
XvX XvX I think is Russia
lovey dovey and when he became president my neighbor countries cut ties with my country
Erin, stay away from the U.S.A. We don't need you. Yeah, I can tell you love being American.
Ira Rather Haha passive aggressive, are we? Americans hate when others get ahead. Enjoy your abusive government.
I’m a European (Belgium), male, 41 years old, and don’t own a car and I bike 30 km to work every day. I don’t think an american could even imagen this.
That would be half across your country then? Sorry only a joke, I have been to Bruxelles and I liked it a lot. Cordialement à partir de Suede.
👍🏼Hey man. Dont do this! You might stay healthy and not need healthcare and not make the pharma lobby richer. Have mercy with those poor bastards! ;-)
Belgium hahahahahaha please I could bike across belgium in 2 weeks. I'll take me months if not 1 year to bike from California to South Carolina.
@@oliveraparicio8464 Mate, if it takes you 14 days to bike across Belgium (west-east 260km - north-south 220km) you'd make roughly around 16km=10miles/day ... so California->South Carolina would indeed take you 250 days ... dont ask what I wanted to say with this ... I just enjoy to calculate crap like this ;-)))
How many mountains does Belgium have lol
"Whether you believe in global warming or not"
Lol. This isn't even debated in Sweden. One of the advantages of having no big oil lobby I guess.
Yeah, its good that we dont have idiots that "believe that global warming is fake and that the earth is flat"
Yea... about that... you'd be suprised at the people you can meet anywhere.... :D
Here in Norway there is a lot of oil, and some years back our far right "progress party" tried to tell us global warming was not a real thing. They had to bring in someone from the US to talk about it because nobody here would. The whole thing was ridiculous and everybody just laughed their asses off, so soon after they tried to just quietly forget about the whole thing and pretend it never happened.
Some years later though we did get a right wing government, and even though they don't deny climate change, they are increasing our oil and gas production with the reasoning that there are dark days ahead and we need that oil to look out for number one. It's hard to believe sometimes how blind our population is to this, everyone recycling, buying electric cars, producing clean energy and so on, while in reality we can only really afford that infrastructure because we're selling tons of oil, it's very hypocritical. It's a lot like with Sweden who produce and sells a ton of weapons then just goes "well, we're not the ones using them, we just sell them, so not our problem".
Proton2112 Where do you live? Pratar du svenska?
You sound literally insane.
Having been able to travel in Europe was a great experience. I came to the realization that we don't have the best of everything in the United States.
I always wondered why do people in the US keep thinking like that.
@@autohmae Because that's what they teach us in school. Well, at least, they used to when I was a child.
@@beautifulwaterfall222 Something which is now basically a myth then keeps being propagated and people have no idea things might have changed.
The American Dream is dead people: "US social mobility fell by more than 70% in the past half-century."
After travelling in Europe for 6 months in 2015, I still think we have most things better in US. BTW I am originally from Europe
@@teblogger8475 Like what?
My son spent a year teaching in America, in Wisconsin. One thing I remember him saying was that Americans lived in fear of on another.
XvX XvX how would you know eh? ;(
@XvX XvX Trump's primary campaign strategy was using fear and hate to energize his base. Do you think you know Trump's base better than Trump himself?
I definitely feel less stressed living here in Europe compared to when I was in the US. Over there it felt like ‘I live to work’. Here in Europe it’s more like ‘I work to live’. Thanks for sharing!
Yes, some of what you say is true, but in many European countries the unemployment rate if very, very high, and in these countries the people who work are supporting way too many who don't. Quite a few of the European countries make it very difficult for their citizens to start businesses, and if they do, the taxes eventually close them down. The restrictions for foreigners to start businesses are also very severe in my opinion.
Odd, as I feel the exact opposite. Europe is shat for entertainment, shat for getting things like computer parts, car parts, house stuff. And they have almost no freedom, except a few countries.
Unemployment rate is only high in southern and eastern Europe. This video is talking about Sweden which is in the richer zone like UK, Netherlands, Germany etc.
frostfire65 who are you trying to fool? The huge majority of americans work 60 hours a week at thankless, unfulfilling jobs just to pay the bills. If you love your job, enjoy it while you can. I've had jobs that I loved too, until I didn't. Besides, you misinterpreted what the OP is saying - Pinay mom's blog contributes by working, then lives and enjoy adventures, people, learning, hobbies, etc. I heard a Swede say when asked about their rather minimalist house, "Less stuff, more living!" Americans typically have huge houses crammed with things long forgotten, remodel every 5 years or less, and are stuck with a huge mortgage for 30 years. Then take out another for the remodeling. And work until they drop. "But look at my stuff!"
It depends where in Europe you live. My family lived in Germany before moving back to Croatia and my mom always tells that when my siblings and I were littler they went to work to live, nowadays it changed in Germany.
People I know say now that they live to work.
But in Croatia for example it is different. The lifestyle overall is a bit different, and especially at the coast people know how to live even if the work they do is sometimes very stressful and hard.
But I also think it is all about the perspective an individual has. That is just the way I see it or my family in general.
Americans are smart. You just can't improve when you think you're the best at everything and the rest is impossible.
/Very well put !
I live nextdoor to Sweden...The peace of mind you get from knowing you will have access to healthcare, education and other safety nets, despite the higher taxes...is SO worth it.
philosoaper - Same here, I am a neighbour too and wouldn’t change this system for the world!
Yes, a country can have nice things when that country is homogeneous.
Last time Sweden was homogeneous was in the 1950's after that immigration has been growing steadily.
In fact Sweden's current living standard would have been impossible without all the immigrants working
to make it possible.
dont count on it for too long, american free market lunatics are hard at work to buy out european news stations and newspapers to spread their lunacy
No peace on mind from living next door to big bad Russia though...and no ICBMs or aircraft carriers to counter the Russians.
I've lived almost 10 years total in Germany, and I agree with a lot of what you say. Thanks for sharing!
I experienced it the other way around. I came from the Netherlands to live and work in the U.S .First i was so happy making more money and paying less taxes for doing the same job...Until i noticed i had hardly any free time. I was used to a month of payed vacation days, and loads of paid holydays. In the U.S it was even hard to get unpaid days off, and often overwork was not paid extra, but seen as a kind of 'loyalty gesture' towards the company. So yes, though i loved many things in the U.S, i did not had the time to truly enjoy them.
Did you feel like you were taller in the U.S.?
Workaholic culture- it is terrible
In my experience it's less about employees being workaholics and more about being working slaves for the companies. Most jobs in my area are part-time with no benefits but they demand that you are available to cover all three shifts if they need you to fill in. So a person that might be able to survive on two part-time jobs can't work two jobs because they are locked into one employer. Full-time jobs require travel and in many cases 10 and 12 hour days as well as weekends. Many don't offer sick days, if you miss work you lose wages as well as get threatened with dismissal for being off work. As always, some areas have things much better but it's not so great for a lot of people and it's not their choice. If they had options I think they would take them.
Gemarkeerd antwoord
+Disenfranchised Realist: Indeed. It's like the saying, You should work to live, not live to work. Why the hell should you bother to work so hard for a nice house if your never there? Now I had could afford to take some unpaid leave now and then. But many people worked even two jobs to get by. It's not all doom and gloom, but a lot changed for the worse when i visited the states the first time in the early 90thies. And i hear it's even worse now , compared to when i was there ( 2000/2002).
+ KEEP CALM..: Well it was around the time viagra was introduced, so yeah some part of me felt taller then it was in years.
The minute you say the word "tax" to a US citizen you have lost them to any logical debate. If you mention the word "socialism" they conflate that as communism, but then you simply have to ask them what is "social security" or "unemployment insurance" or "medicare" which are all socialist programs. Us citizens for the most part don't know the difference between Socialism, Communism or Fascism, they only spout the word Capitalism because they have had it pushed down their throats by large corporations and bought-out politicians.
You nailed it!
Terry Benge, as someone commented above there are few US Americans commenting here. We don't need to comment; you guys are doing a great job by yourselves. We have a lot of work to do to fix this broken system of ours.
@@sassy0010 run for office, Ana!
Thanks, Tom, but no thanks. Last thing in the world I'd do. I'd like to figure out how to help change our system, though -- one issue at a time, starting with health care and moving forward.
You are correct. Considering half of all Americans pay little to no income tax, they would balk at having to pay 40-50% income tax. First main point of fixing health care is getting control of everyone’s diet, Swedes eat less and healthier than most Americans.
It used to be illegal in America for drug companies to advertise on TV. Congress changed that because of pressure from the drug companies. It absolutely does not have to be like this.
True I remember those days. I'm not sure if it is better or worse now because of the ability to advertise.
same with Attorneys, not illegal , but self imposed, , now you can't escape them. Everybody wants to get rich quick by suing someone else.
On the bright side, someone forced the drug commercials to give the down side of all the possible side effects. When you know the possible down side, the drug no longer seems very attractive.
People in the US will not understand these points unless they leave their bubbles and experience it themselves.
I lived in Korea, Germany, and when I returned to the US it felt like I had gone back to the 1800s mentality.
For some reason, I find Americans, who lived abroad (Europe) are so much more likable. I don't think they become anti-Americans - they still love their own country. It's just their perspective becomes much more inclusive, friendly, open-minded. So I think that channels like this one does great service to us all. One small advice (or wish) would be to see more rather than hear more. Visual examples would be more persuasive (especially to people in USA, who never visited Europe).
Kestutis Tauckela i think that they are more open for conversation and changes.
Kestutis Tauckela, which EUROPEAN country are you comparing to USA ?? SWEDEN / NORWAY or ROMANIA , Greece, Albania , Bulgaria ??
There's a huge difference in opinions of US citizen who traveled world, and the one who doesn't.. Us is big beautiful country with great services and infrastructure, but i can't imagine my life there.. 2-4weeks per year as a tourist- great place to visit..
I wish I could afford to live abroad. I am American, but I feel out of place. I find the obsession with guns and ignorance about universal healthcare to be contrary. We could benefit by taking care of our people like Sweden does. Even having never been there, I know and understand that.
martinko40 I’m not sure it even matters what country you’re comparing to. Living/traveling abroad changes your perspective and helps you better see how someone can live differently from you and still live well. (Or if they’re not living well, it gives you a greater appreciation for what you have, and perhaps greater empathy towards those in your own country who struggle to find the same quality of life.)
We don't have to pay more to get universal healthcare in America. We actually pay more than twice as much as the next most expensive country (Switzerland). We could actually SAVE money by switching to universal healthcare.
Not if the hospitals charge 22k per day retail.
Then why does it have to be universal to work?
And you forgot to tell, Swiss medics are paid at least as in the us or maybe more, and quality of medical infrastructure are i think even better, and all that for all the population , not only for the only one who can afford
@@MajkaSrajka because there then is just one non profit insurer.
That can demand a hospital to deliver services set by the insurer. Both at minimum quality and for a maximum price.
Don't want to do it at that price? To bad and you will do no business in the country until you do.
Prices will go down over time instead of up.
It is called leverage. Not to mention the cost savings involved by running just one insurance company and the profits skimmed off by for profit companies.
It does save billions
When I moved to Denmark almost 10 years ago from New Mexico, I expected to learn about Danish culture, but what I didn't expect was seeing my homeland with 'new eyes'. 10 years ago I could not conceive living life at such a casual pace and that I would be 'allowed' to prioritize my family and personal life equally or even higher than my job. The first time I told my kids they could go outside unsupervised, they looked at me like I had just recommended playing on the freeway. It has taken us a while to realize that we are safe here. Now that we are settled in, it's hard to imagine living any other way. I hope we are never forced to go back.
**cyberhansa* ...
The USA used to be like that until the government decided to flood us with shitholers.
Interesting, what do you mean by ‘ taken us a while to realise you are safe here’?
@@villevirtanen00 well we have a little PTSD from a home invasion where we were almost murdered. That shit stays with you a while. That kind of thing just doesn't happen here. Or if it does, I am happily oblivious.
@@cyberhansa My heart aches for you and your family. What a terrible thing to have happen to you.
Every American I have ever known that have had any contact with European healthcare systems have always immediately become supporters of universal healthcare and say they are even ready to pay more taxes for it. :D
My daughter had a child in Canada under their health care system. She was a high risk pregnancy and the whole experience was horrible. Her first child was born in the US same issues, better care. She moved back to the US as quickly as she could.
@@ambercollins654 I live in Finland. We have the second lowest infant mortality rate and the lowest cancer mortality rate in the world. With a universal healthcare system. By the way US is 32nd on the infant mortality rate with 6.5 deaths per 1000 live births, Canada is 28th with 4.9 so I would say it is still better to give birth in Canada. Or pretty much any Eurpean Country because we all have universal healthcare and lower infant mortality than US. And what about if you cannot afford insurance in the US? Still getting that excellent care?
Yes, I had cancer and no insurance and still got excellent care.
@@ambercollins654 Yes and the main question is: Did you pay anything for that care?
Sign me up 👍🏽
The US have AC, Sweden have tvärdrag
AFÖ eller KD :)
Alla Fönster Öppna/ KorsDrag
hahaha :)
Hahahahahaaaa!!! Så sant!
Sant...
It's so much better to öppna the one fönster in the one room and ett annat window in the motsatta sidan of the house/lägenhet than to have AC. #TVÄRDRAGFTW
I think that, as Europeans, we find American attitudes to healthcare and work baffling. It appears to us that a lot of people are making a ton of money out of ordinary Americans by working them to death and refusing to take care of them when they buckle. They are kept in this state by being told ridiculous fairy stories about nations that offer these services . Stories about people being reduced to eating rats in the street (Sweden) , routinely leaving elderly people to die on trolleys ( Britain ) etc because of the supposed costs of having universal healthcare. Laughable scare stories. Of course America could and should have universal healthcare and Yes, you can afford it. Too many people are making too much money out of you, to offer it. All we can do is keep telling you how it really is. Yes, we do have universal healthcare in Europe.It's not free but it is affordable.Tax is 20% in Britain, The key is Travel. If more of you travelled you would see for yourselves and make your own mind up what you want to pay for them you would go back home ready to demand a better future. We like you guys. Good Luck.
Linda West I’ve traveled to Europe before. I’m an American and I prefer their lifestyle over the United States.
Old people don’t have to worry about debilitating health issues due to being inactive most of their lives. Public transportation is affordable and accessible. Food is better.
I want to move over there, but that will take time. I’ll probably be dead before the United States changes for the better.
Thank you.
I mostly agree with you. The only part that I disagree with are the "fairy stories" that you mentioned. As an American myself I haven't met anyone who believes that Swedes eat rats or that Brits leave their elderly to die on trolleys. My guess is that you met an American that actually believed this nonsense and you were quick to judge that all of us think that way.
@Mike T You're just sad…
@@spelcheak Why, because European countries are doing better then the US? If you read trhough the comments you will see a lot of posts from people in Europe stating a lot of facts about us.
I think all americans who go abroad could come back with a changed perspective on what is really important.
I lived in Holland (NL) for 3 years and now my family think I'm an insane, communist, Islamist, America-hater. 8D
As an American who travels extensively and is sitting in France right now, I can say that traveling and speaking foreign tongues is definitely eye opening but given that, I would certainly not prefer to live as an average European as opposed to an average American. Europe has much to offer and I love it every time I come here but in terms of quality of life, I prefer the US.
@@thomassenbart no doubt. We all do prefer what we grew up with. Im aussie and i had a great time in the states. But a few things seemed silly and too large.
@@hossesarse invite them over to europe for a vacation.
If they just could ever leave that country... Seems like a lot of them don't see any other country in this world worth even knowing the names of or knowing that they even exist, let alone GO there
As a Swede living in the US for the past 9 years I can say this, the older I get, the more I value the Scandinavian way of living. The US is a great country to live in when wealthy but al lot harder when poor. The far end extremes between wealthy and poor are further apart here than they are in Sweden. It's also interesting that when Americans speak of travel, they almost always mean domestically, as if the outside world didn't exist. Great video!
The u.s is a foul society in many ways, as far as systemically ill, to the point it even rubs off on some of its people..
Hej hej
There is a lot to see in the US and many Americans haven't even been to half of the states within their own country. It can be almost a cultural shock for a New Yorker to visit Texas for the weekend because the people and environment is entirely different for a New Yorker. So, it can be exciting for Americans to travel domestically and we can always visit the south for when it's cold and snowy in the north.
I have lived in Germany for 23 years and I have no intention of ever moving back. The reason, healthcare. Last year I was diagnosed with breast cancer and treatment in the US would have bankrupted me. Here I am getting exceptional care and could not return even if I wanted to because I am now a 'pre-existing condition'.
The ACA destroyed the pre-existing condition problem but Trump is trying to destroy the ACA. Once Trump is destroyed we will probably end up with a single-payer system like the rest of the world has, so stay tuned.
ACA is NOT affordable. You only have the PROMISE for insurance; however, in practice, it is far less coverage for MORE money than before.
@LadyYvaJ - I wish You luck and good ending.
+K Francis, all your other fake accounts
All that you Russian government propaganda workers have are lies.
So you expect the German taxpayer to foot the bill for you?
Of course quality of life in Sweden is higher that in the US. This is freaking Europe :)
not its not....they are poor as hell..taxes over 60 percent ,its damn nightmare in europe
@@zulaymezatippens6783 XD lol what?
@@zulaymezatippens6783 lol, keep quiet when you don't know
"Of course quality of life in Sweden is higher that in the US. This is freaking Europe :)"
wich europe ? mine likes Sweden system and i never ever heard a single critic about Sweden from here (France) or coming form EU policies.
Sweden is allways, allways shown as a model to follow. Even more than germany.
@@philv3941 haha yes. Here in the Netherlands, I feel like, we have it very good. But still often Sweden is mentioned to be better in some social facilities like school
The only Americans I’ve met who really understand America are those who have lived in Europe for several years and had their eyes opened. America is the most ignorant country on the planet. Sweden is great and it’s not even the best country in Europe.
Andy Wilson well said sir love from scotland 🏴
I'm living it up in the "RED LIGHT DISTRICT" of AMSTERDAM
🤐🚬👯♀️💃💃
I'm living it up in the "RED LIGHT DISTRICT" of AMSTERDAM
🤐🚬👯💃💃
Swede here and I'm not offended I'm just curious what cuontry you think is better? Norway is the only one that comes to mind for me
@Georg Bergsten Depends what you mean with ”better”. I’d say that Switzerland, Norway, Austria, The Netherlands and Denmark are as good or better when it comes to living standards. There are more countries that are richer per capita as well.
I left the US to live in Europe, as well. I do not anticipate returning to the US again, even for a visit.
What country did you move to?
Do you get us salary or the salary of the country you live in?
I"m from New Zealand originally, and now live in America - and I totally agree. Quality of life here is SO LOW! It's ridiculous. There was actually several studies done on health care, and universal health care is WAY CHEAPER than the Medicare model we currently have. Because you are not paying mark ups for profit. There's no reason we can't have 6 weeks off per year - it's just that we prioritize share holders profits. I love America, but there are so many things we could do better here - and we would all benefit from it.
AS for the media, they disgust me. The level of propaganda and lies on CNN, FOX and MSNBC is just sick.
Yes, in America, you're just beholden to shareholders and making other people richer while you never get a raise. You get depressed and buy stuff on Amazon and eBay thinking - "at least I have stuff". Then people go around forcing fake smiles on their faces to try and make up for their misreble lives. Americans fake happiness, which is why they're so nice - because they don't want to talk about the truth because it hurts so much and there isn't anything one can do about it.
Jay Tee YOU poor idiot , you do not make anybody richer, you are burden to our society , taking benefits and contributing nothing ! YOU do not deserve ANY raise you lazy stupid ass . Speak for your self you Loser. why are you NOT a shareholder or business owner ?? People come to USA without money , without speaking English and many find a GOOD job and many become successful and happy , like me . MOVE out to Venezuela or CUBA , I do not want you-/ LOSER / around here .
@@martinko4086 calm down man, he was just saying that new Zealand has an higher quality of life and that capitalism is not the only thing you should think about, and you should take some qualities from socialism. It would help everybody. He just didn't express kindly, but you didn't do better
giovio, there are NO qualities in Socialism . #1, you and MS Costello do NOT know WHAT socialism IS !! # 2 , NEW Zeeland DO NOT have Socialism as economic system, . #3 Social programs are NOT socialism , they exist in Capitalism and are funded by CAPITALISM . # 4 MS Costello got shitty education in NEW Zeeland, because he do NOT know a basic differences between socialism and social democracy . # 5 if you want to help EVERYBODY, than start from yourself, pull the money from your own wallet and start giving to ANYBODY and EVERYBODY !! etc ..
New Zealand has more sheep than people. You can’t compare the 2. Also, your defense doesn’t exist. If the US didn’t provide it who would?
I’m not for American based everywhere, but you’ve got to compare apples to apples on this.
It's funny that in the US people seem to use coffee as a "booster" to go faster and stress out even more but in Sweden coffee is a symbol of "relaxation".
Coffee = Fika, take a break, collect yourself and then work more focused.
In Greece as well.
Maybe because US coffee is awful so if you think while drinking it, you’d throw it away?
Umm, we use coffee for both things.
Cause they drink like 600ml of coffee/water
Coffee is breakfast and lunch for me! I like to wake up and relax.... It has a dual nature here.
I remember when I was a young teenager always dreaming of moving to the US, now I'm so so grateful to live in Europe and I couldn't even properly consider migrating to the USA
As an American, I’m so glad you came to the realization of how amazing where you live now is🤎
Europe (with a couple of exceptions): We care about our citizens and want them to be able to be healthy and work productively so we give them (mostly) free healthcare, enough vacation time to relax from the good work they've done, pregnancy leave to get parents to take care of the new little citizens when they need it the most, good education because we want a smart, well-educated population to drive forward innovation and a decent living wage because we believe nobody who is willing and able to work should be living in poverty.
USA: WE LOVE OUR CORPORATIONS. They need to do everything for us. Fuck the government! (Meanwhile) The government: hahaha yes yeeees! Give us more money you sweet sweet corporations! Fuck the poor and the sick! As long as we get our money!
"just don't be poor" was a shock to me. The president represents their people... I really feel for the smart Americans suffering from this and without realizing there are other 200 countries out there.
This said it really well. People are fighting for their abusers instead of against them. It's so sad.
In Hungary, our government is like America,. the government doesn't give a shit. I need to find a wife in Germany lol
@@agnes7369 makes me sick how many flag waving boot lickers we have in the US. If you make any intelligent argument about how many things we are doing wrong, you get called a communist or some other nonsense.
@@bw1955 I’m a flag waver, and I agree with the above post. The problem is here in the USA our politicians hate us and the more power we give them the more they’ll waste, our corporations are also wicked and care nothing for the citizens. Also a major reason the Europeans have been able to spend on social programs is because they don’t spend on military, with China growing more and more aggressive I don’t see how we can shrink our military any time soon. If our politicians could be trusted maybe we’d be able to spend more on social programs but they seem to be getting more and more devious every year. I love the USA but I agree, it’s a mess here and not getting better, we live in a very nasty culture, I’ve considered moving my family to Europe recently.
I live in Finland. I too am American. It took a long time but I finally stopped looking over my shoulder. I agree and have said the same things as you are saying now.
+Donna Raitanen There are a couple of things I do here in Switzerland (a country with a lot of guns) and would dare to do in Iceland (another country with a lot of guns; I don't know what it looks like in Finland) but would not dare to do in the US because I'm afraid someone might shoot me. (It's not like I do illegal or even just douchy things - but I do there to stand up for myself in a lound way if someone else for example almost runs me over on a street and not even bothers to actually step on the break.)
I had the same experience in the UK. In America we need to get corporate money out of politics. I no longer look over my shoulder, I love having 4 working weeks off each year which only Military get in USA and overall quality of life is way better. Things aren't perfect and the wealthy in the UK seem desperate to follow the failing American model. Let's hope that an ultra small wealthy minority don't subjugate the rest of us and we can continue to experience a decent quality of living.
chaacbze: I agree corporate money has 'bought' too much influence in America. However, I got 4 weeks off with pay each year in the U.S., after working 10 years for the same company. One week after one year, two weeks after two years, three weeks after five and four weeks after ten years.
imyyz4u, working 10 years for the same company is a bit of a rarity nowadays.
+imyyz4u You really shouldn't have to earn something as basic as a few weeks off each year by staying with the same employer.
Our philosophy in Sweden: you work to live not you live for work
+Marlen
meh.. um.. mjeh not everywhere. More and more are facing the latter part of that. 10-12h work days aren very common.
What are you talking about Work is My life?
I live in the part of the country where people work to have a good life . Sure there are those who have to work maybe 9 hours instead of 8 everyday. But the most I know feel like why work 100% instead work 75% and have more possibilities to do the things you like . We have a very low cost on living here . But then if you don’t like nature or want to live in the deep wilderness it’s not a place for you to be . I study distance after a work related illness and I still can enjoy my area and hunt . That is live quality I never had while I worked in the south. There I worked myself to death just to pay rent .
The mentality in the west is the polar opposite By law here I am allowed to drive transport truck [ in a resource based industry ] for 15 hours a day. This adds up to ZERO life.
Which is cool, we have that with a company in Sweden I work for, but it's very common to get extra days off mid week due to this. It is pretty highly regulated, so I guess if people work way to much to follow or overtime without pay or benefits, it's their choice?
I am a US citizen living in France and everything you say about Sweden also holds for France, where the health care system is rated the best in the world. In my experience, the entire health system costs about 60% of US health care costs, and drugs cost 1/8 of what they cost in the States (they're "free" anyway) because the health care system can bargain with the pharma companies. People have a lot more free time (5 weeks a year) and are a lot less stressed than Americans. People here eat more than Americans, but better; so they are much less often overweight. Consumption in general, like Sweden, is much lower but mainly because advertising is strictly controlled for its truth.
I miss this 5 weeks of holidays =) i have been in Japan for 3 years now and i realise how great is our way of life.
hmm im betting princess Grace did not think that too much
Macaria Elle, Tourist? Do you really think he's ever owned a passport?
Despiser Despised Only very rich people fly to America to pay full American prices for health services. Most Americans, like 99.9 percent of them would benefit from French style universal healthcare.
Despiser Despised It's true , there is really good expert care in the US but you have to be a millionaire to use it!!! Where's the liberty in being too poor to buy any health care....americans people are sold a lie....
this guy here...he's seen what its like to live in much more chilled societies. In general, they are better, France, Norway, Sweden, the quality of life is great.
I'm glad this guy is bringing new ideas back to america...you can keep the liberty without resorting to greed and spread the wealth around a little!!
Save a little on the military and you could have it all. By the way we have 6 weeks off in Denmark with full salary.;-)
yes.. thay give trilions for military.. to terrorise world for benefits of israHell
@@adnanjusic4890 no is an economical thingh for every 1 dollar spend to the military they can print 2 more and the value o dollar si not going don cause they got the guns too back it up
Americans hate anything that is given seemingly free, even if it’s paid in a residual manner, such as social security. “ free stuff” is a catch phrase they use to denounce anything that is not earned through back breaking labor, unless you are wealthy, then you are rewarded handsomely.
Just have a coffee anywhere in South Europe - from Portugal to Bulgaria. There is something that could be named a coffee culture . One of the most relaxing and enjoyable things you can adopt :)
As a Croatian I totally agree with you. :D
I love that culture ;)
As a Portuguese, I do subscribe to what you just said... Taking some quality time for yourself and the ones you care for is essential
what is best in life, then to stay at a terrace with a nice coffee before to go to work. just a quiet and enjoyable moment.
South Europe does have the lowest rates concerning suicide rates in the EU and is among the countries with low suicide rates in the so called western world. People need some fun in their lives. Not sure how the nerves caused by caffeine help that, but southern europeans would know. ;)
So true, I am from Portugal and the coffee culture is one of the most enjoyable things in life. It means hanging out with friends, talking about everything and anything, meeting new people, experiencing new places, relaxing in a beautiful terrace in the morning or watching a beautiful sunset late in the afternoon. When a friends calls and says lets go out for a coffee, you know a good and sometimes important moment is about to happen.
If you ask 10 Americans why they never go on holiday outside the US, 9 of them will answer because there is nothing outside the US worth leaving for. It's hilarious and very sad at the same time.
" there is nothing outside the US worth leaving for."
It's true though. We've got 48 countries right here - and 2 more if we really wanna go far afield.
Remember, vacation time is very limited and many people can barely pay their bills. I know many people who would travel if they could.
..and the other one will say that it's too dangerous outside the US.
@@NotANameist
Thank you for proving my point. Have you ever left? If not, how could you say it's true.
Ive been to the US several times and i loved every single trip.
But to suggest there is nothing outside the US worth leaving for is ridiculous. There is nothing quite like walking through an old city in china and watch people live the way they did 100 years ago.
There is nothing quite like walking through the narrow streets in italy that leads to an amazing cathedral.
Plenty of US Citizens travel abroad. They might say they don't want to, that's what they say simply because they can't afford it and it will never be an option or they don't receive enough vacation. Its much easier to lie to yourself and others and say I don't want to go when in reality you cant afford it or when you will never have the time.
To care for each other means socialism in the US. As long as this mindset isn't reconsidered, nothing will change.
mike a, you have a very low opinion of your fellow human beings, don't you. Good social safety nets are a plus, not a minus. People aren't as bad as you think. Your comment is quite racist and negative.
@mike a: with racists like you? we already had that!
Corporate welfare costs us much more than social welfare and a good paying job will motivate a person to get off the couch.
Gaso Meter, that’s very true in general. Luckily though, at least the stance on universal healthcare is changing.
The latest Reuter poll showed that 70% of people (84% or 86%-I forget the exact number-of Democrats, and an astounding 52% of Republicans) are for universal healthcare.
Gaso Meter We already have a lot of socialist programs in usa. medicare, medicaid, ss, food stamps, unemployment, list goes on. Problem is America wastes a ton of out money like repaving the same damn road 10 times in a row.
When he “tried” to name the pros of living in America and all he could come up with is us having Amazon is when I knew it’s time for me to immigrate elsewhere
@@ASS_ault no
So glad to see this! Sensible talk & honest, & brave too coz it takes courage to admit the truth. Change is strange to most Americans who have been stuck in the habit of the American ways but I have no doubt there are many who want the change. The US government is one big obstacle too.
A big problem in the US is that it's impossible to have an open debate about these things.
They will just group you in the left or right camp and then they don't have to take you serious anymore.
They would just say that Sweden is the rape capitol of the world, even though that's very debatable.
It's also worrying how carefull you have to be talking about global warming. Even though the overwhelming majority of scientists agree on it.
I generally avoid debating Americans every now and then, a lot of them think one liners equal facts.
If it rhymes it's gotta be true!
Bu-bu-but Venezuela!
The Captain Umm we do have conversations about this, then the bill comes in and we reject it. Most Americans don't want to pay for other people's things.
The Captain or worse religion! Ugh
If the mind is stuck in something then nothing can come in & change it - thats the American mentality reality, thats why useless to have a discussion. There's this mental incapacity & on top of that is the emotional state of "America or American pride" that keeps a defensive mode coz easily gets offended. The US government wants to be top dog of the entire world, that alone fuels ego thus the military spending priority, the fear & the stress, politics& corruption, imbalance & neglect, etc. etc. etc.
We can easily have no out of pocket cost universal health care in the USA. We simply need to take the money that employers and individuals are already paying for healthcare and shift it to a universal system. We would actually SAVE money.
"it might not be economicly possible"
If that were the case, why would it be possible in every other part of the world?
How else will we fund $800 billion in “defense” spending?
@@benjamintorres9211 Do you mean in attack spending?
Ah, you are going broke. America gives away morw money to all of you non paying European Union saps than anyone.
That would.soon end and we will see how well you do paying your own way
@@rorytennes8576 what on earth are you talking about? The US isn't giving the EU any money what so ever.
I lived in Germany for six years. Bicycling and public transportation are big factors in the relative healthiness of the Europeans. Public transportation forces you to do a lot of walking. When summer comes around and the weather gets hot, the women wear pretty sun dresses to keep cool. The Trumpists just gave the top 1% of the richest Americans and corporations a $1.5 trillion tax cut; they just upped the military share of the national budget to $761 billion. No one can say we can't afford national health care.
We can. Trump said himself that we can do anything we want if we put our minds to it. Did he tell a lie?
Stuart M. We could easily afford universal health care but would have to raise taxes on the 1% and you know how all the poor people hate that for some reason you and I and other sensible americans will never understand. Oh wait. Racism. And the 1% is more republican than ever, even determined to do away with Social Security and Medicare. Republicans won't even spend the money to keep russia out of our elections, they are so eager to put all the money into the hands of a few and get rid of every social program we have while they have the power.
elgie swift: The four pillars of the Republican Party strategy: 1) Billions of dollars in corporate campaign contributions 2) Voter suppression tactics like voter ID laws 3) Gerrymandering of districts 4) Russian bots and trolls in social media. The "Reputin Party" can't win without help from the Russians! I hope you are gearing up for the November midterms. We've got to take back America.
Trump didn't give nothing. Trumpists just stole $1.5 trillion less. Now if you want to create a company in USA the American government will steal less money from you than before.
Right, you think taxes are stealing. Well, give back your Social Security and Medicare benefits, those were "stolen" too.
Sweden isn't perfect, but it's lagom.
Make Sweden Lagon Again
SimonJI lagom*
It's been quite some time since Sweden was "lagom"...
Not too little, not too much - just perfect. Lagom. 😊
Robert wait, really? That's stupidity.
Thank you for your honest opinion. I am german and as you might know, europeans often see the US much more negative than they see themself. One reason may be that you are raised with a enormous amount of pride that you have to show on every occasion. A friend once told me there has to be a kind ceremony to honour the flag before each and every public event, what would be really creepy for a european. And she told me, that public transport is regarded as dangerous, so she was afraid to use the train in germany, but after she did she loved it (well, if its in time, hehe)
Nomad Chick also said the pressure to consume is high over there, what starts to develop in europe as well, but we do not feel that much of a need to have that much things and riches the industry wants us to have.
I am so glad there are people like you and the Nomad Chick, who really give different opinions a chance. I hope there will be a day to come, when an american can freely criticize his country without the need to apologize. Such cristics are necessary to evolve and progress. Americans seem to suppress self criticism, what is not healthy for a society.
There is a difference between pride and arrogance, and people like you show so well that there can be love and pride for your country, even if you see some of the things that could be improved. Cheers!
I lived in Germany for 6 years. It is the best experience I have ever had. Germans respect law and order; Americans are almost the opposite. Education in Germany is twice as high quality than the US. I am an Artz medizin (doktor) and I have two college degrees, 2 masters and a doctorate. I learned the German language and found it to be more expressive and exact than English. The only thing I dislike about Germany is the Weather ("wetter"). Cloudy and lots of rain. But, rain makes your country so green and beautiful.
I dont really like hot weather , makes me feel like Mr Freeze :p
Norway is too costly to live in and they force you to have electricity device installed in your house , too much rules and bs regulations
After Germany murdered tens of millions of people the American tax payer rebuilt and defended Germany from the Soviet Union. You can criticize America all you want, but at the end of the day America is a nation of imperfect but high character; the Europeans are people of generally low character, the British excepted. We have every reason to feel pride in our nation, founded and built by the poor Europe rejected.
@@kevinkent6351 We learned from our history - you don't even know yours. You did not rebuild Germany, you took advantage of the rebuilding process. Germans worked hard for it, I am old enough to know it. And Germany was always a buffer state for the USA. All tactical plans provided to fight wihtin Germany and destroy it by atomar bombing. But we all have low character, of course, because you have the bombs.
@@rolandscherer1574, if it weren't for the Americans that you detest you'd be speaking Russian, you ungrateful sack of shit.
I spend time overseas myself and you had me until got onto that amazon and other corporate nonsense. Amazon is a horrible predatory corporation that lowers the quality of life.
So, I'm a New Yorker living in Austria, have also visited Sweden tons of times, and I both agree and disagree with some of your arguments.
First mistake a lot of Americans make when they come to Europe is to believe that healthcare, college tuition, social services, etc. are free. They are not. This is a very common misunderstanding, even I made that mistake when I first came to Austria. All of these services, just like in the U.S., are paid for with taxes - VERY high taxes. Europeans gladly pay these high taxes however, because they know that when their time comes, the state will take good care of them. This is the type of mentality that needs more encouragement in the U.S. Saying that it's free however, gives the wrong impression and leads to baseless accusations of "socialism".
Another mistake I find that many Americans make when they come to Europe is to indulge in overly broad generalizations about life in the U.S. We forget that the U.S. is made up of 50 autonomous states, each with their own economy, laws, culture, etc. Coming from NYC I'll agree with you that life there is way too stressful, that the elderly there aren't active enough, that consumption is through the roof and that my quality of life in NYC is lower than my quality of life in Vienna.
HOWEVER, I also lived in upstate NY for several years where much of this situation was exactly reversed. I actually had a higher standard of living in Binghamton (upstate New York) than in Austria, life was a LOT less stressful, old people defiantly walked up and down the streets at any hour of night and people were far more environmentally conscious than in NYC. I once got a hefty fine for carelessly discarding my milk carton in the wrong garbage bin. Sweden would seem like a hillbilly boondocks in comparison to progressive towns like Ithaca, NY. This is a similar situation you find all over the U.S.
Finally, and this is another mistake I made when I came to Austria, Americans tend to cluster around the major urban centers in Europe and assume that the rest of Europe has similar standards of living. That might be true in some cases, but more than often it is not. In the case of Sweden, most visitors and most Americans probably never travel much beyond Stockholm , Malmö or Gothenburg. Of course these are the most glamorous, clean and well-developed parts of Sweden. My eyes were really opened though when I spent a lot of time in the outer suburbs where my friends live - empty, dirty, dilapidated buildings, poor public services, bad infrastructure, limited public transportation, dangerous ghettos, not at all what you see in those glossy tourist brochures. I was also made to understand that people in the major urban centers, mostly native Swedes, live very comfortable lives blissfully unaware of the poor circumstances of people living in the suburbs, i.e. mostly immigrants and other "undesirables".
This phenomena tends to skew our view of European society, especially if we never leave the more developed urban centers. My point is, and something I constantly remind myself to do, is that we need to be very much on guard when making generalizations and be very nuanced when making country comparisons.
This was a really well thought out comment. Thanks for sharing!
I agree the world is just too big to make generalizations
As a Swede i agree about the suburbs, it is Crime ridden and drug infested and dangerous if you are an outsider without knowing anybody from there. But you are wrong about the rest of the country dont know, that is incorrect. We now have murders and bombs(!) on a daily basis here.
Way to many immigrants have turned my country in to Two countries in one. The most of the Blame falls on politicians who dont care about us, only what their friends in brussells wants.
I grew up in a place who even at that time had problems with drugs and crime, but now? Forget it, one murder yesterday for example and no police presence or any service at all. It is a dump.
" All of these services, just like in the U.S., are paid for with taxes - VERY high taxes"
Depends on where in Europe. In the UK we have the NHS and our taxes aren't that high - compare with many states in the US and remember to include all taxes - local, state, and federal. Some other countries do have higher taxes, but they also get a lot more for that.
"and leads to baseless accusations of "socialism" "
It is socialism though, that's what it means. Too many people think Socialism is communism, but it actually covers a range of "mixed economy" systems, that all first world countries live by - even the USA. Its just where each country decides to draw the line within that mixed economy that matters.
@@stevehansson2221 Immigrants coming to Sweden will help the country if we make sure everyone gets a chance, and aren't forced into being criminals because they need money. Jävla högersvin ffs. Jag bor i utkanten av Malmö, och du blir inte inblandad i skit om du inte är kriminell och det är mycket mindre farligt att bo här än i typ florida. Det har aldrig hänt mig något dåligt här. Kriminalitet finns överallt och du skyller på fel saker eftersom du vill se en lösning på dagisnivå. Prata inte om saker du inte vet något om. Hur kan någon tro att högerns politiker bryr sig om att sänka brottnivåer? Det blir bevisat om och om igen att det som håller folk med svår social situation borta från brott är utbildning, men istället för att satsa på det som är bevisat hjälper människor, vill högern in med fler poliser. De blåser bort röken men släcker inte elden.
I live in Sweden and i've tried to talk to US citizents online for weeks during election times. I don't wanna be bad or try to insult. Just blunt and honest. I felt like i could NOT connect with americans. I just got called a commie all the time. I talkt about a-kassa, healthcare and some consequences Europe was put thru cause of your wars since 2001. About right wing extremists getting big in Europe. I got really scared cause for me it felt like i was talking to ignorant zombies from another planet or sumthing. Just people that didn't know ANYTHING about the outside world. People were climate change deniers and didn't believe in evolution. Hopefully you can listen to one of your own.
You just witnessed a successfull result of decades of brainwashing. Its not just "the peoples" fault. Media has done a "great job".
Well said
Hah, how do you think it feels when those zombies are friends you have known all your life or even your own relatives. I would not have believed they could change so much if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes. It’s like a disease of ignorance and hatred is sweeping the country and you never know who is going to catch it next.
@@aliannarodriguez1581 I feel you.
@@aliannarodriguez1581 I relate it to Jim Jones and feel they've already drank the Kool-Aid and you can't turn them away from the precipice. The only country in the world that cannot defeat this virus because many think wearing masks is an infringement upon their precious freedom. Freedom to struggle, stress and die young with no holidays.
I don't understand people who say "I'm very proud to be *insert ethnicity*" as if it were an accomplishment. How can you be proud about something you didn't get to choose?
The day pride went from something dark and bad to something good, that's when we lost control. I never use that word, rather use happy or thankful...
Well so you are against pride marches? Seeing as being gay isent a choice.
Yes exactly that, stupid 'PROWD' people. All people who say are proud on their country sucks!
JNostro
I think you can interpret it as saying I am not a shamed of my heritage. On the other hand, your point is well taken, particularly when decisions, bigotry and war, etc., are based on pride in heritage. Then you also have people that just run their mouths to join a club or resist another. Culture is quite interesting.
Well I'm embarrassed and ashamed of my country at the moment so it would make sense that if it got it's shit together by and large that I might be able to feel pride again. It's not the lottery of where you are born. It is the work you put in trying making things better that makes me feel pride and when I fail I also feel shame like I didn't do enough. I know this is not how most people see it, but it is another perspective.
I was working for Americans who came to Europe (Czech Republic) and they were always so jumpy, scared of every little thing.
American police are scared of everything.
I'd be scared of your president if I were you.
@@virginiav.1172 I am very scared of him.
@dlee t I think democracy started to die in our country even before Reagan and Nixon. In a way, democracy never properly got started, because of slavery, which the authors of the Constitution tried to legitimize by way of the 3/5 clause. I'd say that clause planted the seeds of our democracy's downfall.
@Fred Jansen There are countries who give right to own guns, not just America. Basically America is fuck** up, opiod & drug crisis, mental health issues, low education, racism, homelessness, no affordable healt care, partisanship. America needs to stop war, stop funding Israel and starts fixing its own problem.
This is an eye opener to a lot people. Always thinking the US is the best in everything is a lie.
ED Tos lies about US are coming from people like you, NORMAL people KNOW that US is NOT the best in EVERYTHING , where are you getting your brainwash ?? IT is well known that the best RAPE in today world is in SWEDEN , CHINA has the BEST death penalty in the world, THE best socialism is in CUBA, N. KOREA, and Venezuela is also on the top of the list . Russia is the best in ALCOHOLISM . you just do not have a clue.
Very few Americans think the US is the best in everything. What a ridiculous statement.
No health care, no parental leave, 17th in the world in math and last world cup of soccer ⚽ didn't qualify.
People die everyday for the lack of medicines and medical treatment and if you do not pay out of your packet for insurance you are penalized.
You eat GMOs everywhere.
NO THANK YOU!
Canada is better! Germany is better, France is better. That's why there are regulations against american imports in the developed world and you don't see Chevrolet in Germany.
FUCK YOU!!
Ed Tos you seem irrationally angry. We Americans already know all these things. Why do you care so much?
The US does have health care and the vast majority of people are pleased with that care. We do not have a universal health care system, you ought to be more precise. We do poorly in math that is true and no one of quality gives a shite about soccer, one of most boring sports in the world, right behind cricket actually.
Who dies everyday from a lack of medicine or treatment? What is your source here? Everyone pays for insurance, this is also true in most European countries.
GMOs are great and save and have saved millions from starvation. Also the science is very clear on this subject, there is no danger from GMOs. Read a bit I would urge.
Canada is fine though too cold and also becoming increasingly anti free speech. Germany is beautiful but also a bit regimented for my tastes and also very expensive to live in. France is great but has a perpetual 10% unemployment rate, constant strikes and transportation issues and is way expensive.
You may not see Chevy in Germany but you certainly see a lot of American owed vehicles in Europe. But Germany does make great cars. I own a Porsche, myself.
i love America to ,had so much fun on my trips and the people are super friendly ,the service is spot on . i find Americans to be real open and fun to hang with .but to live there is harder than most people think it is 90% work and if you loose the grip you are out on the streets in no time
That's bullshit. The vast majority of homeless people in America are in large cities and either mentally challenged or drug users. Or both. People like to work in the US. That's a bad thing?
Chuck Cribbs I'm happy for you you've had such a blessed life. After a minor concussion at work, I had a late-20's crisis that led to years couch-surfing and sleeping in my car before I was able to secure a job that paid enough to cover rent- and I was still barely scraping by what with paying for student loans, the birth of my daughter, and 950 per month in daycare until she was 5 years old. All of these extra expenses don't exist in Europe. Americans who've never lived abroad have no idea how hard life is here and the struggle has made people so angry and bitter that they're not willing to fight to make it better for the next generation, saying things like- "if I suffered and managed to survive, so should you." It's attitudes like that make me really loose hope that this country will ever change.
no it is not i have worked since i was 17 construtions "concrete and steel" only one break the time in the army ,but a big city or not ,when i saw that lady in her 70s or more out on the streets camping outside a hospital under a tent made of sticks and plastic and flies buzzing around her it broke my heart ,it was LA..and a good area
but you are right ! it is a good spot for people that dont like to work ..and we who works pay tax after tax after tax ,,and i must loose it all to get any help if that happens ..all savings ,sell the house and get back to zero ,,and then you get some help ,so in the end the system you have might have been better for me
Not the 'vast' majority. Over 40% work at least part time. It's called fact checking before you spout bullshit.
I enjoyed this video, I especially appreciate that you took the time to learn that socialism is not communism, which is something many Americans seem to struggle with, and therefore resist.
Tack for filmen, har et bra!
Båda är skit dock...
> Vi behöver lagom politik
Ja absolut!
iGotTalent Socialism är däremot bättre än kapitalism iaf. Kapitalistisk politik främjar korruption eftersom dom som roffar åt sig, klättrar högre. Kolla bara på usa och deras lagliga mutor via lobbyister. Nu sitter dom med Trump i ett sådant system. Det är det sämsta som hänt usa på länge. Detta är såklart bara min åsikt, och folk får tycka som dom vill. Jag skulle kunna motivera min åsikt med mer information, men orkar ärligt talat inte diskutera politik. Det är ett bottenlöst hål man helst inte går för nära.
I agree with you, no political system is perfect but of the ones available, I would choose socialism over the extreme capitalism we're expected to embrace.
thedr00 I'm sure a combination of some sort is the solution.
Thanks for your interesting video Andrew. This and other similar videos have opened my eyes much more about how life is in the USA. I'm sorry for you guys. I live in Finland, it's not perfect but it's a paradise compared to the nightmare you seem to have. I hope more people in your country will be disillusioned and you will find a way to make it better TOGETHER.
What i feel you American people have is optimism, confidence and activeness, you can use it to make good changes. It's also important for Europeans to hear these stories, because there are unfortunately forces in Europe that want to make Europe exactly the same as America. We ALL need awareness and cooperation to keep and make our world a dignified, good and safe place for everybody.
Riikka Lindström
Well said. . .
I am European born and raised. I have traveled and lived in Korea Italy Japan Germany Czech Republic Englang Irak Slovakia, Poland and others. I love all people and each country has something special to offer. But there is no country like good all USA where people from all countries could live in peace and harmony choosing their own lifestyle with high or low stress. This is the place for people that like to atcheave ultimate fulfilment it is not for comfort seekers.
Very much interested in visiting Finland. Frequently hear good things about it’s people.
Riikka Lindström
Want to visit Finland. Any suggestions?
@@ghafoorsheikh6665 travel to lapland there is northern ligjts pretty cool tbh
In the UK 4 weeks paid holiday is usual. 5 is not uncommon. I cannot imagine what “stuff” you could offer me to give up more than half the holiday I enjoy. What good is it to have a tv in every room, 3 cars etc when you don’t really have time to enjoy even simple pleasures? I am in the process of buying more holiday time at work, which will give me 32 days plus public holidays, plus we have free healthcare. It’s not perfect but as much as I am wowed by mountains of goods in US stores, you have to ask whether it’s a good and health trade off. As they say, not many people wished they had spent more time working. I enjoy my work, but enjoy free time more.
My Swedish mom after seeing this video: "He forgot to end it with" God bless America""
Thanks Andrew. I am an Australian living in The Netherlands for many years. The thing that actually strikes me is the lack of differences between Oz and NL. Sure, the language, but most other things...universal healthcare, holidays, social security, education, freedoms, etc, are pretty much the same. Slight differences. Taxes are lower in Oz but benefits perhaps not as generous. More public holidays in Aust. Balances out in the end. Never sure why citizens of the US always get so worked about about the word “socialist” and link it to universal healthcare. I think it is more bizarre the US accepts paying 17% gdp on healthcare, while most other developed nations spend 10%. As indicated in the thread below, a lot of health indicators show the US really lagging in many areas. So from a purely “capitalist” perspective, paying a lot more money for poorer result. One more thing, Aust 27% of our population born overseas. US 12%. To say the US says has greater costs as it deals with a “non-homogenous” population. Load of bull.
Great comment. Could you, if you do not mind, expand more on the differences / features of Oz and NL in contrast with Netherlands? I would be highly appreciated. Cheers
NanBahlam Hi Nan. There are very few differences I can think of in terms of how government services are structured and what societal goals have been set. Costs are higher in Australia, in general (food, alcohol!!!, utilities, clothing...I think). Somethings in Australia are cheaper. Almost anything to do with a car, petrol... Going out to eat, is about the same, as is health insurance and general healthcare. I think education standards, in general in NL are higher. Still ashamed Australia is so monolingual. Think the food, in general, is better in Australia. Fresher and less processed. There are definitely some character differences. The Dutch aren’t worried as much about personal space, like to put everything in and agenda and are more traditional. Australians like their personal space, people drop in without an invite and are a little more laid back. Dutch are much more tolerant of people being sick. You have the “right” to be sick and there is no shame about it. Australians expect you to pull your weight more. Being sick is not tolerated as much. There is more social control in Aust. You are expected to behave and follow rules. We line up for buses. If you try and push in, You will get told off by numerous people, especially old people. Will think a bit more and add some more comments later.
Thanks
Proton. Why all the weird conspiracy sh#t? Third World takeover! Are you really so delusional? Get a grip. And where did you pull that number for the annual Californian state budget for healthcare, or yearly spending? I think you’ve added a few too many “0s”. Do your damn homework and stop watching Fox for your info.
You live in the Netherlands. I would say BIG difference in terms of transport. Cycling, public transport. But off course thats mostly due to size of the country and population density.
Lived in Germany for nearly 4 years... same experience as what you've outlined.
I was capable of living off of about 1,100 euro a month, which if I didn't have student loans or other debt from back in the US, it would have been plenty and not really even being that terribly frugal. I still ate out a fair bit, but also I cooked at home a lot. It was more affordable to cook for a single person there than it has been since moving back to the US.
I still dream of the public transportation and the much higher amount of exercise I got over there because that was the norm... walking around everywhere. The lifestyles that get naturally reinforced here vs over there are just vastly different.
I really respect your concern for the enviroment, it's very refreshing to see someone ready to take a step in the right direction.
This video made me happy, sounds like you touched on a lot of things that make Sweden great!
Aleksanteri_XIII did I say that? But yeah, other things make Sweden stick out compared to other notdic countries. Animal care for example, the way pigs and cows are treated in denmark for example is illegal and animal torture according to the law. :)
120 dollars in healthcare payment is the maximum in sweden. after that you get a card that covers everything for the rest of the year! yes, EVERYTHING!
Yes, but in other countrys you do not even pay those 120 dollars. its free from day one
Not in many countries though. Nothing is really free. Norway for example have even higher taxes than Sweden. It's kinda give or take.
And for that you get a pretty unaccessible health care system with little regard to you as a patient when you, after a struggle and long wait finally recieve care.
People are literally dying in queues waiting to get care.
Carol Alm, this is very true. I watched friends of mine, husband and wife in Australia, have to decide who should have surgery first after their surgeries were scheduled in the same week. This after waiting a year for their surgeries. They were left with the stress "how will we take care of each other" and "Which surgery can wait 6 more months out" (Because the next available surgery date was 6 months out). It was a long and painful almost 2 years. On the other side in America, my friend in college had to have open heart surgery. Being that he was an over 21 student with no health insurance, the hospital did the surgery, of course, and the payments they worked out with him was 50 dollars a month for a year! Everyone receives care in the US! But we need to get the cost down for everyone and I think that can be achieved through associations.
Paying for care you will not be getting does not really seem like a good deal, if I need a simple appointment with a nurse I have to wait a hospital for half a day, a loss of income I cannot afford, If I book an appointment the waiting time is usually 2-3 weeks, because of that I have to get private health insurance which costs med $1100 per year to guarantee me an appointment within 24 hours, Swedish Healthcare system would like many other things in Sweden be awesome if it was actually true.
I moved to Germany in 2007 (from America) for 13 months and 13 years later I am still living here. Take that as a hint what country is better.
Total health expenditure per capita in US dollars 2015
Finland 3984
France 4407
Germany 5267
Sweden 5228
Canada 4608
The United States 9507
Poland 1704
Maternal mortality ratio (2015) deaths per 100,000 live births
Data gatheret WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group, and the United Nations Population Division.
Sweden 5
Norway 5
Finland 3
Iceland 3
Denmark 6
Poland 3
United States 28
Under-five mortality from the World Bank per 1000 live births.(2016)
Sweden 2.9
Norway 2.6
Finland 2.3
Iceland 2.1
Denmark 4.4
Poland 4.7
Unite States 6.5
Life expectancy; Sweden 82.4, Finland 81.1, Denmark 80.6, Norway 81.8, Iceland 82.7, Canada 81.5, United States 79.3, Poland 77.5.
Those numbers certainly are "shocking," but further investigation offers several explanations for the gap.
One explanation is how the numbers are counted.
Infant mortality is defined as the death of babies under the age of one year, but some of the differences between countries can be explained by a difference in how we count. Is a baby born weighing less than a pound and after only 21 weeks’ gestation actually “born?” In some countries, the answer is no, and those births would be counted as stillbirths. In the United States, on the other hand, despite these premature babies’ relatively low odds of survival, they would be considered born-thus counting toward the country’s infant mortality rates.
or you can just go to clinic and have yourself checked...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_life_expectancy
#31st rank in the world. All nations above the US has singlepayer/socialized healthcare
I'm an older person, still not old enough to retire, and I've traveled a lot abroad, less so in the US, which I plan to do when I retire (I hope). I think more Americans need to go out of country more and release whatever paranoia inhibits them. But it's also expensive to do so. If people have kids, with attendant concerns about paying for sports and then college, edifying travel is going to take a backseat.
So I guess I'm making your point, too: the US IS a stressful place. People come here because there's still more opportunity than in many places, but the cost for playing is high. My mother saw this back in 1970, when we went to Italy as a family. She saw some downsides over there, too, but overall thought they had it good in many ways, and she told them so.
The US is very economically driven. As such, many of the recommendations that you make will likely not occur. Things have worsened since so many companies became publicly traded. All they care about is producing results for investors, not about environmental impact, what's best for the consumer, etc.
I get a lot of time off, but I'm in the nonprofit sector, and I make less money. That's the trade-off that many people cannot or will not make due to needs, wants, raising kids, etc. However, I don't have enough money for retirement. Now what?
Yep...welcome to America. Not exactly a bed of roses.
I have a solution for several of the problems you bring to the table. Basically, we should have laws that establish that every government official on the nation gets paid minimum wage and only allow them to have the basic healthcare, with this done you will start to see how politicians will start doing their jobs thinking the same way, and with the same struggling problems to resolve, that a common middle-class citizen. Politicians don't know the everyday sacrifice that a normal person has to go through to bring food to the table, and I don't think they care.
Just stop voting in politicuans sponsored by corperations or shareholders.
Problem solved.
@@baronvonlimbourgh1716 Or they could run in an election themselves.
@@purplenights1 that only works if people start voting for actual politicians instead of campaigns.
That's such an interesting idea. The minimum living standard would go up so much. I can see it leading to a lot of corruption, though. Government officials who are barely able to get by must be quite easily corrupted. At the moment, the US seems like a corrupted mess anyway, so it may still be better than the current situation.
@@baronvonlimbourgh1716 Like AOC?
I am US born (Dutch immigrant parents), raised in The Netherlands and moved back to the US for adulthood at age 22. And I can sound the same as this UA-camr and often do. It is true, in the US we have been losing our middle class and decent representative well functioning government and it shows in ways that many UA-cam expats express because they now have different perspectives and other countries to compare to. When I express my criticisms of the US it comes from a love for the US, being so frustrated with the country that I love and knowing that we can do better and wanting fellow citizens to know. I think that most people who criticize their own country are the same way.
There is one beef that I have with all these Europeans, and American expats who ALL point out the short work weeks and long vacations in Europe as if it's a great thing, I disagree!
First, we have the same in the US, every American working, can make whatever agreement about hours per week and vacation time they want that is agreeable between employee and employer, you can work 5 hours per week and take 48 weeks of vacation if that's what you want. And, no, I am not creating some unrealistic scenario. I have been with countless employers and have been one myself. I see women who have to leave work each day at 2:00PM to get their kids out of school. They make an agreement with their employer, it often gets resolved. I see people working only 4 days because they have a second interest, because after age 50 they decided to slow down, because they have a hobby that they are passionate about, and it gets resolved. Ahh, but you say, what about those low income-ish workers who are forced to work so many hours for financial reasons? They SEEM to exist but is it the whole truth? Didn't this UA-camr say that we American all consume more than we need to, our cars are huge (don't need to be), I see every other person in the US with a $1,200 phone which they replace every two years for a newer one, where as I see, still lots of $30 Nokio flip phones in Europe. Point is, whether Americans are aware or not, they make choices which they are not forced into that cause them to have to work so hard. In Europe often, the choice does not exist, it's made for you.
Second, there a truth that you guys have to come to terms with, I am a Chef and in The Netherlands I worked 70 hours per week, there were others who didn't but they were not called Chefs, kitchen helpers or what have you. The truth is that, often, if you are so intent on your 18 hour work week and 30 weeks of vacation, you are stamping and labeling yourself as a NON ESSENTIAL worker. CEO's and directors don't work 30 hours a week, easily replaceable people do!!!! Of course this is not for every scenario; if you are a doctor, in a sizable city, in a hospital, schedules can be made resulting in more reasonable hours because you are not the only doctor in the place, but what if you are the only doctor in a small rural town? People just going to be without medical care for 8 weeks every year because the doctor is sunbathing on a beach.........for 8 weeks!!
I think what all these people making such a deal about the short work really mean, is they want to work less and have someone else pick up the bill.
, like the government. Governments don't have money, the only money they have is what they take from us. Make the employer pay? Only large employers have the overhead to do so. The starting and small company can't. This is why large companies are agreeable, they can afford and it prevent them from facing competition from small businesses because they don't start up for the same reasons. There is no magic around this, you work less, you're less productive, some one will pay. Technology and advancements do make people more productive and brings us back to the same start; with the new technology, you work less, you're less productive, some one pays.
Are you happy with 2-3 weeks of vacation? We have 5-6 in Sweden and I think it's too little! :)
Martin Björemo its uselly 4 weeks but if you save up you could take 5 weeks on a year
tack!
4? .. no.. As far as i know every swede has at least 5 weeks. Some have 6 weeks. For several years i have had between 5-9 weeks vacation every year.. Vacation days + child care days + overtime compensation leave (maximum 2 weeks).
25-30 work days per year in Sweden
oleg iaremchuk wow I think I'm more excited to work in Sweden LOL
I have lived in 5 different countries this year and I'm so much happier after leaving the United States. I'm a proud American also but what you said about fear is so true. I have been all over Asia, South America, Europe and the Middle East and had zero problems in any place I've been to and my family has been so afraid for me any time I go anywhere. I'm no longer afraid of Muslims, or living in any other country. I love people and life so much more now. I'm not sure if I'll ever live in America again. Life is so easy in other countries
Im norwegian, and i love our healthcare.
I am USA. Here we have multiple levels of government and they all have a requirement of taxation. Local govt. County govt. State govt. National govt. Sales tax, gas tax, excise tax, I am going to google this. I am certain that I have barely scratched the surface.
I live in Texas...we run a/c almost all year here because it is way hotter here than Sweden. Public transportation isnt safe...and my state is way bigger than many countries in Europe so walking everywhere or taking trains just are not feasible..the DFW metro area by itself is as big as the state of Connecticut...and there are about 5 million people here...and about 30 million in my state...the numbers and climate and size could not be more different than a small country in northern Europe....different needs for different places.
silje grimstad many in America will call you a liar, even though they don’t know you and have never even visited your country 😂
starstuff100 I'm not one of them, and I'm from America. Stop generalizing.
One size fits all policy doe snot work at all. The free healthcare will cost more than 36 trillions dollars in next10 years while we have 22 trillions debt. Mike sure to use commonsense. In addition, you guys pay very high tax that is unbearable.
4 of the top 10 countries in the global quality of life study are SOCIALIST countries such as Sweden, the focus of this vlog. America ranked 19th in the last study, and is dropping every year. Our education and healthcare ranked in the high 30s.
SWEDEN IS NOT A SOCIALIST COUNTRY. For the love of God, learn what words means, and especially the word "socialist." In a Socialist country, the government owns the means of production. That is NOT the case in Sweden. Sweden. Sweden is a constitutional monarchy and has a parliamentary democracy with a vast social welfare system that is becoming increasingly more expensive. The people who live there pay extremely high taxes and inordinately high prices for everyday items from soap to lightbulbs to food. Additionally, there are far fewer choices for goods there as it is a very small country with a population of about10 million.Comparisons to the US are somewhat ridiculous, as obviously what works for 10 million isn't necessarily going to fit a population of 330 million people.
There isn't a "lack of resources" in the USA, it's just that you prioritize the military, and it's gone to an absurd level. 54% of your budged goes to the military, that's INSANE. Sweden has around 7% to healthcare, while the US has around 5%, so you would only need to lower that 54% down to 52 % and you could have the same "free" healthcare system as in Sweden.
.. and increase sales tax to 25% including on clothes and 12% sales tax on all food purchases along with a long list of other taxes. It is never free (which I get the sense that you know which is why you said ''free''). Sweden works better because it has less irresponsible people but with its open borders policy and by allowing non-taxpayers and non-citizens to benefit from the welfare system they will eventually go into a financial crisis.
Actually no, they would only have to change their priorities. In Sweden the government spends 10437 dollars per citizen, the US government spends 12225 dollars per citizen. So basically the US is just using money "less effectively" than Sweden (when talking about health care and school systems, hard to say if it's really less effectively since it's hard to estimate how effective the US military is and that's where the majority of the money goes).
If you find this strange (since Sweden pays a lot more taxes than the US) the reason behind this is simple, the US is in debt and taking more and more loans every year while Sweden has a surplus almost every year.
The government will spend $4.407 trillion in 2019. Most of this, about 62 percent of expenditure, pays for mandated benefits such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
Interest on the U.S. debt is $363 billion. The U.S. Treasury must pay it to avoid a U.S. debt default. The United States has been fortunate because interest rates have been low. A worldwide flight to safety increased demand for Treasury notes, lowering rates. Now that the global economy is strengthening, Treasury yields are rising. So will interest payments. Interest on the $21 trillion debt is already the fastest growing federal expense.
The remaining 38 percent of the budget pays for everything else. It's called discretionary spending. The U.S. Congress changes this amount each year. It uses the president's budget as a starting point.
The discretionary budget is $1.203 trillion. More than half goes toward military spending, including the Department of Veterans Affairs and other defense-related departments. The rest must pay for all other domestic programs. The largest are Health and Human Services, Education, and Housing and Urban Development.
There is an emergency fund of $111.4 billion that's not included in the budget process. Most of that, amounting to $88.9 billion, goes to Overseas Contingency Operations to pay for wars.
Huh, you're right, I only looked at the discretionary budget, looking at the whole thing around 25% goes to healthcare. Soo... wait what, the US is just using it's money extremely inefficient or why is health care so expensive there? Sweden uses 7% of it's budget for healthcare, and Sweden's budget is less per capita than the US so where is all that extra money going :S Does it just cost that much more to run a larger country? :S
Lol why do you think Nordic countries were taken over so easily during ww2? Cuz they don’t pay attention to military
All I can say is W O W.. I would surely sink in to depression if I barely was able to have 3 weeks of vacation every year. Sure in Sweden you have a legal right to have 4 weeks of coherent vacation but that entirely depends on how much vacation you have to spend. In my current employment contract I have the right to 25 vacation days which can be used freely during the entire year. Any unused vacation days are stored and can be used during a period of 5 years. Government employees even have 6 weeks of vacation time.
Enjoy it while you can. Your current government has your country on the path of decline.
+yaimavol
1. There's an election in like a month so we'll see who's gonna be the government then.
2. It's not even near that bad. Yes, welfare might be worse than it has previously been as a result of badly managed institutions and imigration, but the far right's fear-mongering propaganda about a Sweden in free-fall is absolutely incorrect.
When you hit 50 years of age you have actually 31 days of vacation. Weekends not counting,thats 5,5 weeks payed vacation.
25 days is the minimum by law. You have a right to 4 weeks coherent vacation during the months of June, July and August, unless otherwise agreed upon. Unlike what Funkywallot claims, there is no change in the amount of vacation days. What he probably is referring to is the agreement that the state made with their corresponding unions that gives 31 days from the age of 40 and 32 days from the age of 50. Many companies follow that, it is not in any law tho.
yaimavol Sorry mate, but our economy is booming, and have done that for awhile! But the only fears we have now is your president’s trade wars against all your allies and friends, it’s gone fuck up your economy and ours in the long run. Maybe you should get your information from some other places then Infowars, Breitbart or Faux News!
Very interesting perspective. I've also noticed how stressed we are in America, and I've never even lived in any other country, so I have no baseline to compare it to.
I like what you said about the simple act of drinking a cup of coffee. I see places that would make a great location for a coffee shop, like down by a harbor, for example. I mentioned that to a guy who owns several coffee shops in the area, and he said that in America, that wouldn't work because Americans don't drink coffee for the enjoyment of it. A coffee shop in America has to be on a major route that many people take to work, and the process of ordering it has to be fast and convenient. I'm sure in Europe, people will sit and enjoy a cup of coffee in a nice quaint shop, the way we would go out to a nice restaurant to enjoy a meal.
I've also thought about living abroad, but I'm concerned there might be a language barrier. Do people in Sweden speak English, or are you expected to speak Swedish? I understand Swedish is a difficult language to learn. Has anyone had any experience with language while living abroad?
Yes, most sweetish people can communicate in English. Also you can find a lot of written info in English in addition to Swedish. Although if you were planning to stay there for a longer period of time you would probably like to invest the time and learn the language. It may rather be subjective (English not being my native tongue) but I don’t think it would be much harder to learn than English.
Ula Yee Good to know. Thank you for the information! I agree that if I were to live in another country, I would learn their language. But it's nice to know that I wouldn't be completely lost in the beginning.
Hello, BooBoo Bear, I am an American living in a European country and my first comment is that if you make this choice it is a matter of respect and the ability to function normally, that make it very important to learn the other language, even at the most basic level. Just as we require in the USA. All of the countries have language schools and people open up to you on a much friendlier and helpful level if you are at least trying to communicate in their language. An attitude of arrogance is very much frowned upon.
As far as I am informed, every country in Europe teaches English from primary school thru high school. People here realize the importance of being bi-lingual, although they very often will study 2, 3 or 4 languages. It is typically a very short distance between borders here!! French is still very popular in most of the countries, and German has gained a very rapid momentum in the past 10 years. This, of course, is largely due to where graduating students are able to find jobs.
BooBoo Bear No, you would not only not experience a language barrier but I’m sure you would also find Swedish people being extra kind and helpful in finding your way around.
Although it was never my experience, it came to me as a shock to find out that in the USA when you ask someone for directions you may be given a wrong info intentionally just for fun of sending you the opposite way.
Ula Yee Thank you! You have certainly been very helpful as well!
Funny, in the Netherlands we started collecting toiletpaper when Covid 19 got serious, in the USA people started collecting guns
Actually, we ran out of toilet paper. Some people in our country hoarded all of it for themselves and we were stuck without it for at least a month. I remember empty shelves and you can only buy 1 per household if a shipment came in. Weird couple of months.
well iam european but u have to be fair in these debates, its questionable what would people by if u could get guns so easly.
The u.s is a fear oriented society, and reeks of 'non native' as a result, even in the language sometimes used.
@@kingofmariokart64 You can thank the panic buying and hoarding on the hysterical media for that.
If we can have free healthcare and universities, you can at least have free healthcare
Though I can understand your sentiment and as an Australian that does benefit from a publicly funded healthcare system that has not had any experience outside of that healthcare system, I could not imagine providing healthcare to a population of 324 million people that equals that of Sweden without a MASSIVE tax increase. Also the United States is not a socialist nation and does not have a socialist government in power, if anything, they should reduce the cost of medical care and medicine in the US so that more people can afford basic medical attention without having to remortgaging their house.
and open borders
and voting without IDs
I totally agree with you about the high level of consumerism being at the root of environmental issues. Sweden over consumes certainly but I think the USA is the world's best at it. Lots of people in Sweden are turning more towards a minimalistic way of life now, as are a very few people in the US, hopefully a growing movement!
I agree as well. However, even though Sweden is sometimes perceived as a progressive country, 90% of the political establishment is against consuming less and will jump at any opportunity to ridicule those who speak about it.
Nevermind Yes, that’s so true unfortunately. Seems like politicians on the whole just don’t get it.
Fun fact: 95% of the plastic in the ocean comes from Asia.
The West aren't the ones over-consuming.
Queen Bitch KaNoMiko seriously?
China and India are the biggest culprits of damaging the environment
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and ideas. I will never forget when I went to the Dominican Republic, I was shocked at the poverty and how everyone was so happy even though they had very little. Americans are just miserable people. It's disturbing how some citizens can support a political party that offers them nothing in return. We are working ourselves to death and dying sooner than most other developed countries. I hope to be able to leave this country in the near future.
Amen. Cannot talk like this to many friends because they are so dumb, and brainwashed.
Infant death is also very high in the USA. I was shocked to find that we are very low on the ranking of nations on infant mortality. Good lord. We cannot even keep babies alive.
You are always welcome in europe..
@@jackcapone4375My comment was no generalization. Research concluded that the United States ranked 18 in the world for happiness. It fell four spots in just one year while the top ten countries remained in their spots. So while I can't speak for everyone, I can speak for the research that say that the majority of Americans aren't happy. This is also a comment section and as of right now, we have free speech in America so I'm exercising my right to comment. If you don't like it, move right on past my comment.
@@jackcapone4375 Anyone with a bit of intelligence would look at the murder and violence rate in the US and know that Americans are "just miserable"...Wow, using those quotation marks made me feel more intelligent. "Thanks"
I moved to London from the US and man i am NEVER going back. The way of life here in Europe is just amazing. Not perfect, but a lot better than the US. The education system, healthcare, and work/life balance is makes you enjoy life so much more.
I'm English and now living in the USA, so I can see pretty much everything you've described but from the other perspective, and I agree with nearly everything you've said.
The USA is a strange place. I love it and I love the people. I live in the Midwest, so farming country, and people are honest (well, mostly - assholes are everywhere. No country has the monopoly on that...), hard working (mostly), generous and friendly (mostly), but the USA seems to be in it's own little bubble universe where every other country on the planet is seen as a caricature, and no-one here believes they're actually real.
The American media is to blame (imo) and it's very scary, and people seem to lap it up and actually believe them. If anyone who isn't American has seen FOX news, then you'll know what I mean. Words like "socialism" are seem as Communism, when it actually means "what is best for society". A Liberal is seen as some sort of hippy sponger when one of the definitions of Liberal actually means free & open minded, and was the whole foundation of the USA in the first place - Liberal/Liberty - it comes from the same word. When I hear some of the things people here say about how universal healthcare and a legal requirement for a company to provide 5 weeks paid vacation is socialism/communism I just have to face-palm.
Anyway, I'm closing in on 2 years at my current place of work, so I'll get a whole 40 hours of paid time off. Yeah, fuck this shit.
Why in hell are you in the USA? If I had a choice, I wouldn't be there. I hope you can return home to a much more sane nation although the UK seems to be America's lap dog.
jipster2020 Mass Media are categorised as the 4th authority with the other 3 being government, justice system and police. The last 3 are considered mandatory for a country with democracy as it's political system (any kind of democracy), yet it is highly believed that the 4th authority is actually the one that has all the power because it forms opinions.
@ArizonaWillful
Well, the UK has it's weirdness too in all honesty. The media is almost as bad, especially the ones Murdoch owns (who also owns Fox) but it's not quite as sensationalist and most people realise that he is a total c**t so don't really take any of his media outlets seriously. On the whole people also hate our politicians, rather than support them, because they can be trusted about as much as the media. When you say that the UK is America's lapdog, I'd say our government is willing to be a lapdog yes, but the rest of the nation thinks differently. You can't blame a nation for what it's government does.
The UK also has a high cost of living (primarily for transport), housing is expensive, the weather is pretty crap, Brexit has pretty much screwed everything up and the people moan a lot - about everything, but we do know how to party ! Despite that I'd move back in an instant but my wife is American, and I'd rather be here with her than have free healthcare, a minimum of 28 days paid vacation (by law) and actually be able to drive a proper car with a gearstick. America is a great place, and I love it, including because of it's natural "F*** You - we do what we want-ness" (which I actually admire) - but it doesn't hold back on the weirdness, that's for sure.
@Astrid
I don't doubt that for a second, as sadly scary as that is. We cancelled satellite in the end because I have no patience for all the commercials bombarding me with shit I don't want, don't need and don't want to hear about. And the media. I'd say thankfully the Internet provides me with what I need to know, but thanks to Trump, even that might now start to cost extra if net-neutrality gets squashed.
jipster2020 I'm sorry about your experience here in America. 😞 I completely understand, though. We *are* bombarded with sensationalized news, drug commercials, and have America talked up *so much* like we're the greatest thing ever, that I had to cringe at my young co-worker's recent comment that America is "a Utopia". 😲😒 *He* would be an example of someone who wouldn't even consider "life" outside of the U.S. The brainwashing is *real* . But not everyone is like that. Personally, I'd rather live in the UK (a Nation I've never been to yet, but have been long drawn to). It just resonates with me more. Even if that never happens, I think it's very important that one visits countries outside of their own to get the "complete picture" (for better or worse). It can only enrich your life and either make you better appreciate where you live, or make you want to leave.. 😉 Cheers! 😊
FabFour Fever I've been to the US, had a great time and I'm mediterannean, which is slightly different from the UK where US citizens find usually more in common with them than in other European countries. But I've traveled in Europe, too, and I can relate to many things with other europeans. What we see as differences hasn't got to do with all americans, just the typical way of thinking of the typical "american" who thinks US is the best place in the world, with the best political and social system (and no, social isn't communist) and calls himself american and his country America, even though America is a continent, downsizing the existence of everyone else in this continent, which sounds a bit racist. Still, I haven't visited many places in the US I'd like to, ie New Orleans which is a great mixture of cultures and many other places and I'm still planning to do it. I just hope the next time I'm there you'll have a bit more of that freedom you so much talk about and we europeans don't think you have. Have a nice day ;)
What I have noticed is that in many European countries this quality of life thing is so ingrained into society. Shorter work weeks, more vacation time, having a 2 hour lunch break to go home and eat meals with your family, and more are just expected. And even with all of this, the people are more productive and happier at their jobs and lives. And most employers are of the same mind...Happier employees makes for more productive employees. I highly recommend the Michael Moore documentary "Where to invade next" as it covers some of the best things from Europe that could be taken back and used in the US.
Michael Moore is a big fat loser fuck!
Michael Moore and his propagandistic documentaries are not to be taken seriously by any objective person.
The European life style is absolutely more laid back than in the USA but they are also considerably poorer, far less productive and much more dependent. These are considerable trade offs. I understand the European mentality as I do the American one. Both have merit and pitfalls. It all depends on what you want and how you want to live.
my sisters job has just launched full pay for 6 hour days. And many swedish compnies are doing the same to induce productivity while at work.
Lol, only americans see michael more as a propaganda leftist.
In the rest of the world he is just a documetary maker....
Should tell you something..
@@thomassenbart i doubt you do actually..
This is a great and informative post..well done ✅
As an Australian who has visited America multiple times, I totally agree with everything in this video. America’s a great country, but their population is so fearful and paranoid of things outside its own borders.
Thanks for watching!
Not just a great country - THE Greatest Country. Cheers.
Dave E THE greatest??? The typical American’s average age at death, education and health standards would suggest otherwise.
@@MrDevtun ok .. so what western countries have you been to that were not as great and why? just curious ...
Appreciate you sharing your firsthand experience with living where you have...it was insightful and honest from an everyday person POV, thank you
It was culture shock coming back to the US from Europe...
It's a cliché (although clichés become clichés for a good reason) that Americans live to work, whereas Swedes (and plenty of other nationalities) work to live.
I was in Chicago in the mid-90s, as part of a month-long trip around the US when I was in my early 30s, and locals I got talking to couldn't believe that everyone in Sweden got at least 5 weeks off work each year - and actually got paid MORE during that period for the privilege! Sweden isn't perfect, but I know where I'd rather live.
I have to agree with him on the quality of life being better and not just in Sweden but most of western Europe then it is in the US.
I've traveled and lived around Europe and America over the years, New York and San Francisco in the US and Milan and Manchester in the EU.
I find stress levels are lower when in Europe then the US and not just of myself but other people as well, I also find working conditions to be better in Europe and I feel the overall system does a much better job of looking after the poor and middle classes better then what the US does.
But don't get me wrong, we have good and bad in all countries but having lived in many, I perfer European countries.
Also, I know Europeans consume less then Americans but that doesn't mean we are worse off because since moving back to the UK about 10 years ago, I made a promise to myself to become more eco friendly without reducing my quality of living, I know it would take many years of replacing things in the house but over time, almost everything has been replaced and now I'm using about half the energy I was 10 years ago whiles not downgrading my living standards and in fact I have more tech items around the house then I did 10 years ago.
What I'm trying to say is that you can reduce your foot print without reducing your quality of life if you put some thought into in when buying things over the long run and it does wonders for the energy bills.
I think what we should remember on why Europe went the path it did and why America went it's own path is down to world war two, it was a major wake up call for Europeans and we saw first hand how bad it was whereas for most Americans, it was a distance war in another land, that allowed Europeans to do major changese in the social system that would have been much harder to do otherwise.
So even thought I think the US would benefit by adopting many Europeans standards, it wont be easy to do because of the profit nature we see in the US and that wont change anytime soon.
Anyway, I think what really stands out between the two is that Europe have a more social system that looks after it's people better with more of a safty net whereas the US is every man for themselves, the problem is with the US model is that it allows too much wealth into fewer hands at the expense of everyone else.
Also, higher taxes are not a bad thing if used right, Europeans pay more in taxes then Americans but we get so many benefits from them and what I like about that is that it looks after everyone, rich or poor.
One last thing, I remember when living in the US, patriotism was off the scale in the US and in a way that I thought was negative in the sense that it seems to blind a lot of Americans of whats really going on around the country and world, it also makes it difficult to criticize bad things in the US without being seen as un-american and that to me is the real problem in the US, change is hard at the best of times but if people can't admit there is problems that others are doing a better job at, change never really happens and I find that to be the case in the US with how they dismiss a lot of the social system we see in Europe out of hand because it's not American, it feels to me that most other modern countries around the world are leaving the US behind and maybe thats why Trump got elected, the problem is that blind patriotism isn't doing Americans any favors because it's blinding them to how things are developing elseware around the world.
Indeed, many Americans, even professionals with higher educations, assume America is best at everything. That phrase, "We got the best [insert here] in the world," seems hardwired. What's even more maddening is that any solutions to America's problems are always treated as theoretical, ignoring existing examples by the rest of the world.
what they have in the US isn't patriotism, it's nationalism.
Right-wing American economists believe America has the highest standard of living based on the fact that we have the money to buy the most stuff. What they fail to realize is all the most important basics healthcare housing and education have become unaffordable but we can buy smart phones all day long. What Europe provides is security in the basics and as it turns out security equals happiness. Buying less stuff and affording the basics is what makes a happy people. So the question is what metric you use to determine what a standard of living is.
You really ought not believe all the propaganda you are getting. We have great health care, housing and education and though the education is more expensive than in Europe, the USA still dominates at the University level.
Certainly education at the lower levels varies highly in the USA but it is also public and paid for by taxes. Our health care also is world class and in many areas superior to European care, depending on the nation and service. Before Obama care some 85% of Americans polled said they were satisfied with their health care. Also in terms of housing, American housing is clearly superior to anything going on in Europe and is substantially cheaper unless you are in San Francisco or New York or coastal California, where prices are similar to European levels.
European systems do provide the basics but they also intervene a great deal in personal lives and markets, which makes everything more difficult and more expensive.
The average American prefers more individual choice and control over his or her life; prefers to keep more of his own income and likes spending themselves, rather than have the govt do so for them. Certainly there are various trade offs but overall the US is vastly wealthier than Europe and this translates into more opportunity overall, though not for each individual, depending on their personal choices and circumstances.
Your last sentence already says it all.
In most of Europe it doesn't matter how or where or in which family you grew up in, you get free education and healthcare anyway, so basically everyone has the same opportunities in life and this is the meaning of real freedom to me personally.
But apparently US-Americans are just very egoistic.
I'll gladly pay 40% of my income to the state if that means me, my family and everyone around me don't have to go bankrupt if we get sick or want to got to college.
What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, but lose his soul? o true, we put money before ourselves, and other people, and our higher power, its sad! whatever happened to love of God, and neighbor!
44Nura Not all Americans feel that way. Please don't generalize. I'm from America and I'd rather be living in Europe. Just saying. Peace. xx
writerconsidered, you forgot to add, Americans can’t afford to buy those goods, it all on credit cards, coz each wants to create the illusion of success. They’re a national culture of debt.
Glad this showed up in my recommended 🤔😁😊
It's always so nice to hear an American who is not calling European style health care socialist or communist. Most Americans are disgusted by the idea and feel it is akin to being mugged at gunpoint and that using it will most likely kill you instead of heal you. In Britain, the health care system has been in trouble for a few years, but this is because it is under attack from American drug companies, and an influx of migrants and health tourists are not helping the situation. But before all this started happening it was fantastic just as it is in Sweeden and other countries. Imagine if you paid a little bit more on your tax, less than what you pay for your insurance and you no longer have to pay your insurance, so your better off straight away. And you will never have an insurance claim turned down.
No offense, but health care here in Sweden is NOT fantastic. Yes, we have the competence to create wonders, but the work conditions are so horrible no one wants to work here. And those who do have to do 3 peoples' work and burn themselves out and have to go on sick leave for a year and those left get even more work to do. The queues are ridiculous, people literally die on the emergency waiting for care. There is never enough time, doctors dismiss you because you're not deadly ill, they are rude and do errors all the time. The Swedish health care is horrible, and the psychiatric care is a joke. I have a chronic illness, so I've been in the health care system for 15 years, so I know what I talk about. HUGE improvement needs to take place, and until then people are sent home to die.
To provide national health care in the United States, to be affordable, people would have to pay as much as 50% of their income, and maybe even more, in taxes. It won't work here. Ask any economist instead of a politician looking for votes.
@@purplenights1 What if the US just cut their military budget by two thirds? The US would still massively outspend the rest of the world. They'd have 400 billion extra to spend on healthcare. If we can have good healthcare that doesn't bankrupt sick people in many European countries, why can't the US?
@@purplenights1 In that case your government must be incredibly inefficent at planning budgets.
@@Anna133199 Because small European countries are much easier to provide healthcare for than the massive United States. And people in the United States would never agree to allow half their income to be taken up to provide health care to the masses. Most people prefer their private insurance companies and do not want to see the government manage a failed healthcare system. The Veterans' Health Care Program here in the US has cost much more than originally anticipated, and the level of healthcare is low for the benefit that it gives. Most of the elderly do not even like Medicare, and it is costly even at a reduced price.
People decide nothing in USA; big corporations do
Its true. We are all just cogs in their machines.
Oligarchy
I agree with you. As an American who has lived half my life in America and half in the Netherlands (over 30 years), I have also noticed that my countrymen thrive on fear and could certainly learn greater social lessons by traveling/living abroad themselves more often.
I am not sure that thriving on fear is possible. We are diminished by it, especially by fear of one another. Yes, I am American, and have travelled abroad. I am in my 50s, and do remember a warmer friendlier America, that tried to live up to its ideals. I want to see us find our way out if the present morass, where so many people live in poverty or in fear of it, and in fear of one another. We could do so much more in terms of health care, and treating all people as humans regardless of income, but there is fear of the poor, even as more and more fall into poverty. And people vote against their interests. It feels insane.
@@barbaradeitz1853 Indeed
America was very good to me when I lived there. I had the opportunity to meet people who became lifelong friends & I experienced the life of the very wealthy & also the very poor. My home is New Zealand & I was horrified that the basic human right of Free healthcare was not available. It was the 80's and I saw my 1st homeless person in Santa Monica CA. I have never forgotten the 1000's of homeless people who were ignored & left to rot in allies with cardboard boxes for shelter. When my son was born I discided to return to NZ so that he would be raised in a country where people care about each other & it would never be Normal to see homeless sick people sleeping in doorways. The US is a fantastic place to live if you have $1000,000's but for ordinary people, life is extremely 3rd world.
I'm great believer in moderation in all aspects of life. Eat less, work less, own less. Lower overhead more freedom it's simple. Keep healthy, exercise regularly by walking, cycling on short journeys. Eat fresh food with lots of fruit and veg. Keep slim and watch your weight. Try not drink much alcohol. Expensive in Sweden.
Hang on are you telling me that drug companies have advertisements on TV telling you to tell the doctor to get prescriptions for their drugs?