Comments on: Is Denmark our Window to an Obama New Economy?

By: Casper L

Casper L — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:33:00 +0000

Well, since Im danish, I thought that I would comment on this issue.

Matt – First of all, the Russia comparison is getting old. You can’t mention Russia every time anybody mentions tax raises and thereby justify the opposing view…..

The argument that highly educated people is going to leave for country’s with lower tax rates has been said here for decades but someway this articles still reports that Denmark is “ranked number one in the world in technology advancement”….Now that wouldn’t be possible if all our highly educated people was leaving right?

Mellissa – Its correct that Denmark isn’t the country that “feeds the world” in terms of private charity but the thats because we paid enormous amounts in foreign aide.
Its not normal to pay large tips to waiters here in Denmark….Is that because we are rude? No, its because the minimum wage is much higher and waiters aren’t dependent on tips to earn their living.
About the “Beacon of Freedom” thing, I truly hope that you are sarcastic. That is a statement that is only made by Americans who hasn’t visited European country’s(Or Canada for that matter).
I love America, but the whole Beacon of Freedom is really a product of propaganda. By what comparison is the US a beacon of freedom and what criteria is it based upon`?

I don’t think the Danish model would work in the US, BUT americans need to open their mind and take a look at the different political systems instead of being stubborn and have a very arrogant “Our way is the only way” approach that seems to be the case.

Remember that while Russians was the target of pro-soviet propaganda during the cold war, Americans was the target of anti-socialism propaganda during the same time….

By: vilkri

vilkri — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:54:56 +0000

Yes, you do pay higher taxes in Denmark, but you also get something in return. Besides, if you factor in the costs you have to bear yourself here in the US, are we really better off financially? If you make an average income of $45,000 and you have three kids like you do, you can probably not send all three of them to college. In Denmark they can all go to college – and they don’t even have to be specially gifted. That gives these three Danish kids a head-start in today’s knowledge economy that dominates the world. Doesn’t sounds like such a bad idea.

As for health-care, I would say the situation is similar especially if you are one of the nearly 20% Americans who do not have health-care.

Of course, well-to-do people have the best lives in places like the US or Mexico (which has a very low take of taxes).

By: Mr. ToughMoneyLove

Mr. ToughMoneyLove — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:32:11 +0000

Jobo: Yet more positive economic data about Denmark. Thanks for sharing it. The flexicurity policy (which I had heard about before) is unique because in most European countries it can be very difficult to terminate a bad employee.

By: Jobo

Jobo — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 08:20:30 +0000

Melissa: Denmark spends over 1% of their GDP on foreign aid. The US spends about 0.1% (yes, including charity), the least of all western countries.

As for the economic incentives and their effect:
“Denmark has a GDP per capita higher than that of most European countries, and 15-20% higher than that of the United States.[41] Denmark is one of the most competitive economies in the world according to World Economic Forum 2008 report, IMD, and The Economist.[42] According to World Bank Group, Denmark has the most flexible labor market in Europe; the policy is called flexicurity. It is easy to hire, fire, and find a job.” (Wikipedia)

By: Mr. ToughMoneyLove

Mr. ToughMoneyLove — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:37:33 +0000

Melissa – Excellent “ponderings.” I agree that if Denmark were as large as the US, the cost of providing all of the social services would increase by an even greater proportion. As for the other things that the US does as a “world citizen” or world “meddler” (depending on your point of view), there are those (e.g., Ron Paul) who would favor ending all of that and concentrating on domestic needs.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:20:05 +0000

I’m no expert, but I don’t think that Denmark has ever been the country that “feeds the world” or “gives more private, chartiable dollars than any other country” or that has ever been a “beacon of freedom” or anything else. I’m fairly certain that the US provides more food that is consumed globally than any other nation, and I’m fairly certain that we give more (charitably) than any other nation… if we go the way of Socialism… would we produce the food that feeds the world? Would we be able to give charitably to the world in the amounts that we currently give? How would that change the world?? Sure, Denmark… 6 million people total. That’s like… uhhh… Phoenix, AZ. But multiply that into the size and specifics of the US… I think the entire world suffers. Not just “mean, evil rich people” (tongue in cheek). If the incentive to work your tail off so that you can make more income (by growing something, creating something, etc) is immediately rewarded by the IRS taking 60% of it… would we still work so hard? (I wouldn’t. I work for my kid’s future; if the IRS is going to take away the dollars I intended to feed, clothe, house, and educate my kids with… we’ll make do with less.) Just some ponderings.

By: Mr. ToughMoneyLove

Mr. ToughMoneyLove — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:51:27 +0000

Sarah: Your comment is one reason why I love to blog. Until I heard it from you, I had never even heard of “Generation Jones.” Now I know and will try to learn more. Thanks for sharing.