Are you saying Scandinavians are all socialists ? Have you been to Scandinavia ?
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The myth vs the reality of Scandinavian socialism :
https://www.heritage.org/progressivi...vian-socialism
No - I am saying that the Scandinavian countries generally are mixed economies with lots of policies towards the "progressive" end of the spectrum, that they are generally more "socialist" than NZ, and that their populations generally rate very highly in any international comparison of health, happiness and prosperity.
I made the comment in response to Balance posting a link to a very well made piece of propaganda which repeatedly suggested that "Socialism cannot work"
I haven't been to Scandinavia (or to the moon), but I don't need to go to either place to obtain and evaluate readily available data about conditions there.
"I’m a psychology expert in Finland, the No. 1 happiest country in the world—here are 3 things we never do"
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/05/what...chologist.html
Talking of Fins, my only experience of them was when I was involved in an engineering "shut" at Tasman paper mill.
There was a team of Fin experts refurbishing
the digester. (one of the biggest components in the pulp process, and most expensive)
Anyway I have seen various international engineering teams in action but nothing to compare with the efficiency of this crew.
It's pointless saying communism/socialism doesn't work, with the inference being capitalism does work.
Capitalism also doesn't work. Look at the bail outs of the banks, the energy & agriculture subsidies (in the US, EU etc), the failure of For profit driven health systems, the failure of For profit driven pharmaceutical industry with huge money poured into cosmetic medicine compared to areas like vaccines & other medical research, the failure of private company SERCO when National experimented with privatising the prison system, the degradation & destruction of natural resources, rivers, lakes, clean drinking water, land erosion, the richest 3 people in the US own as much as the combined bottom half of the US population. etc.
The answer lies somewhere in the middle.
But apart from that here in NZ we have a very deregulated economy & it's laughable to suggest this govt is socialist & blindingly obvious when we have such massive wealth inequality.
I note that you "cherry pick"your sources. You approve of the opinions expressed by the Heritage Foundation when you think they support your predjudices, but not when they don't. Would you like me to cite a couple of dozen Heritage articles lauding your favourite fornicating president?
But the author you cite actually supports my position.
You linked to a very well made video attacking Jacinda and the current govt for progressive social policies, and suggesting that socialism was doomed.
I suggested that since the Scandinavians thought they were happy, healthy and prosperous, socialism must have rotted their brains.
You then post the Heritage article which acknowledges that the Scandinavian countries are both happier, and further towards the "progressive/Socialist" end of the spectrum.
The "socialism" you and other conservatives use as a bogeyman is actually a strawman. There are currently very very few "socialists" denying that the capitalist system excells in the production of goods, services, and wealth.
At the same time, the overwhelming majority of "socialists" recognise that capitalism (if unregulated) cannot ensure that the goods, services and wealth produced and the social benefits they (potentially) confer are effectively distributed. How to best regulate capitalism (and to what end) is the issue.
The Scandinavian example suggests that we could do better in that regard by moving our policy settings towards the "Progressive/Socialist end of the spectrum.
Strange that Biden has raised taxes (or reversed the heritage approved tax cuts) but created far more jobs.
In 2021 8% of Finland’s population is foreign-born. In NZ it is 21%. When you have new arrivals from various parts of the world in the same area, I imagine it takes time for trust to develop. A less homogenous community needs greater inter-personal understanding. Add to that the growing divergence in wealth in NZ, then the lost wallet will increasingly “disappear.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Finland
Comrade Ardern's vision for NZ and she achieved her vision briefly during the Pandemic with her lockdowns and pulpit of truth.
"The goal of socialism is COMMUNISM" .... Lenin
Her word is her bond - she actually said that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g36e7S65pd4
In other words, Ardern outed herself and confirmed that she is a confirmed low down hypocrite and liar with all the spin, BS and lies she told in the last 5 years.
An indictment on her for being such a despicable and detestable person.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/auckla...JEUXHWGIU6UUA/
Auckland man’s terror after gun pulled in road rage incident
Effective policing under the Meathead Left ;)
Hang your heads in Shame - Labour !
And I see you were busy getting yourself reindoctrinated and are back in 2023 devoting yourself at the altar of the spin mistress & pathological liar.
The goal of socialism is communism - just keep that in your indoctrinated mind every time you listen to the self-proclaimed one source of truth.
https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/c...pg?format=500w
St John St John. Hato Hone.
Spent all our money on Maori wokness.....
The rest of this Labour government is sending the rest of NZ down the same path.
Healthcare, plus most other services are way under resourced now.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/...-for-ambulance
Yup - changing all the signage and literature to Maori would have cost a fair bit and taken resources away from front line duties.
For what purpose?
Certainly nothing to do with its function of providing fast, efficient and safe ambulance service.
https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/c...pg?format=500w