This next week we are going to talk about Norway and Sweden -- two examples of socialist democracies in world politics. We will compare these two countries with the United States.
An important way that socialist democracies provide benefits to their citizens is through higher taxation. Look at this article, it compares taxation rates in the US with those in Norway between three examples. The Norwegian citizen pays 43.9% of their income in taxes, the two Americans paid considerably less: one paying 33% and the other paying 28%.
What do you get for all those taxes?
This short CNN video briefly compares the US and Norwegian healthcare systems. Here is what a transfer student who goes to Norway to study at a Norwegian university would receive -- full national medical care, which is the same for all citizens.
Similarly, as the final Sakai Discussion Forum's assignment indicates, work life in Sweden is of higher quality compared to the vast majority of countries around the world, including the US. Workers have several weeks of paid vacation yearly, a shorter work week, extended maternity leave, a better work-home life balance, and less stress because people have more time to enjoy their lives and less worry about their economic future.
In general, citizens of Norway seem to be happier (and here is a video too) than citizens in other countries -- and citizens in Europe and especially northern Europe with the more socialistic democracies are the happiest places on earth right now.
What do you think?
Would you agree to pay higher taxes if you had the guaranteed benefits that citizens of Norway and Sweden receive? Why do you support such a system or why do you oppose such a social welfare system? Do you think such a healthcare and system is even possible or desirable in America?
Looking at the example, I'd keep the extra 80,000 dollars, but that's just me. I wouldn't be willing to pay the extra percentage of taxation, I think that we are being taxed enough as it is. For instance, at my last job I would work 40 hours per week and take home about 28-29 hours worth of actual pay. That is a sad feeling. Their healthcare system is better I am sure, however, I believe that it would be easier to have a good functional healthcare system if the US did not have 32 times the amount of people that Sweden has. Yes I said 32 times. However, in the US other social programs such as these would be possible if we would reallocate money into different programs. I do not see that happening anytime soon though.... case-in-point, the "threats" of ISIS, North Korea, Russia. Kevin Hagerty PSCI 100.02
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ReplyDeleteI would definitely agree to paying higher taxes for the benefit of the people, but honestly I do not think it could ever work in the United States. The United States is far too large and so many people are focused on themselves rather than the whole that we are a greedy and selfish nation. Because of our freedoms and our rights we often forget about our fellow citizens and their needs. We forget that we have poverty and disease in our country as well, but we are the greatest country in the world so we cannot have that here, right? A paid for healthcare system would really help people out in our country who do not go to the hospital because the bill just to show up and be seen is outrageous. A healthcare system would benefit all, but because there are so many people focused on themselves, the great "ME", they forget other people don't get that opportunity in their country.
ReplyDeleteI think that this is a goodbsystem but I think that it could work in the us if we structured it the right way. We had way higher taxes in the FDR administration through most of the 20th century than we do now. It is also helpful to mention that people seemed to make a good wage and inequality was not as bad as it is now. So I think that we could tax at a higher rate and people would be happier to in a more social democratic system.
DeleteI would not want to pay higher taxes for better healthcare simply because you get what you pay for. If you have the money to afford great healthcare than you get great healthcare but a system where everyone gets the same healthcare from taxes is a crazy thought. Another reason is people complain now how taxes are too high so why would you want to add fuel to the fire by increasing something already so hated. So no I do not think that this type of healthcare would ever catch on in America.
ReplyDeleteDepending on how the system would work would depend on if I would want to pay higher taxes for health care. 100.03
ReplyDeleteI think it could be a great system but I worry about it working in the U.S.. I believe we would still have the same problem we do now. The people working pay for all the people not working. We have so many more people in our country that it is just hard to put something like that in place. We have so many people here that don't pay taxes and it's just not right to the people who are. We are being hit hard with this obamacare because there trying to make up for all the money people aren't paying. It's just not right and idk what would be th solution to it other than turning people away. I wouldn't agree with that at all but what else can you do.
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ReplyDeleteI believe you should get what you work for and if you work to have a great paying job with great benefits and you can afford great health care then I do not believe you should have to have your taxes raised for those who do not work for it. There are flaws in every system but I do not think in particular it would work in the United States.
ReplyDeleteI would agree with higher taxes for perks such as guaranteed benefits. I believe that, if you are being a good citizen and doing what you are supposed to do then you deserve the benefits offered. I am sure that the system that is used in Norway, is desired by multiple citizens. The answer though relies with the government sadly. With the United States being so "proud" that they are a democracy, they would never switch to a health care system such as Norway's because it screams socialism. The truth hurts but that's how it works. I hope sooner or later we will come to our senses and establish some type of system as Norway's.
ReplyDeleteCallie Long PSCI 100:03
I would not be opposed to paying more taxes to get the benefits offered in Norway. I personally like the free hospital, free prescription drugs, paid sick days along with other perks such as several weeks of vacation, and shorter workweeks. In Norway, they are under less stress because they have a better work-home life balance. Less stress means better overall health. I know they have long wait times to receive medical care, but most of that is for elected procedures, not for life saving procedures. There are also resources available that allow for procedures to be done quicker, such as being transferred to another facility in another area. While no system is perfect, to me it is better than what we have here. Our healthcare is incredibly expensive, insurance is expensive, and we work ourselves to death just to make ends meet. While it would be nice, I do not trust our government enough to handle this type of system. I do not know what the answer is for our country’s healthcare system. Both countries have advantages and disadvantages.
ReplyDeleteHello, I believe that higher taxes in the U.S would definitely help our happiness greatly, but there are other factors that contribute to happiness. Our country almost prides itself in where anyone has the ability to buy whatever they want as long as they have the money. We live in a consumer's society, and it is really annoying. Everywhere I go people want to buy, buy buy! Advertisements are so common now people barely notice them. Living in a country that pressures you to keep buying products does not exactly make me happy. Higher taxes would improve 100% of the living conditions for the country, I can't imagine how people would be less happy with higher taxes. For some reason politicians aren't allowed to even whisper about raising taxes. Although we have a low tax rate, people go crazy when a politician mentions increased taxation. I don't understand, many people think that taxes are bad. Taxes are directly related to our living conditions and a countries improvement! The tax rate in the U.S is not all bad. Since we have a low tax rate people have more choice of insurance and other options, but that isn't always a good thing.
ReplyDeleteFrederick Filberg Political Science 100.03
I believe that paying higher taxes for benefits like in Norway would be great for us. However I do think that the system would still get abused how our system does today. Our country is just not like other countries like Norway. We do not function the same, but I do believe that we could try this system and if we didn't take advantage of it, it could really be useful for us.
ReplyDelete(Christopher Hosby 100.03)
Yes, the US does have a very low tax rates compared to most countries. However we believe our taxes are way too high because we have never experienced taxed rates like the other countries. Therefore I think if we were to raise our taxes any higher it wouldn't work out at all for our country. People are already extremely unhappy that their tax dollars help people who don't work at all....Our country is so focused on money, everything is revolved around money. With more money being taking away from people bc of taxes I truly don't think people will know how to live... Yes it may be beneficial in the big picture for example with health care but a lot of people don't look at that way.
ReplyDeleteI would not want to pay higher taxes for better healthcare only because you get what you pay for in the long run.. If you have the money to afford great healthcare then you get great healthcare... but when everyone gets the same healthcare from taxes is a crazy. Also people complain now how taxes are too high so why would you want to add fuel to the fire by increasing something already so hated. So no I do not think that this type of healthcare would ever catch on
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great idea but it will never happen in America, everyone is focused on the short term here "How can I make a lot of money now?" rather than how the long term goals would work out. We would get paid better and get health and retirement planned by our government so no one could be left out. But leave it to the selfish Americans to ruin the fun for everyone here.
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