Kraken,
Yes - Scandinavia and USA are very different. With hundreds of relatives living in Norway and spending time there, I appreciate your views and those of my countrymen back in the US. As an Amer-Rican living in Europe, there is time appreciate the best and worst in both societies. There are days when it just sucks here, and then days when I think it would be crazy to go back to the US.
Norway - well you are truly blessed to have a huge pot of natural resources, a national population of a few million [I](as in less than the population of say … a few counties in S. Florida)[/I], and as you mention, a homogenous population. For Norwegians, one might add they generally pleased to have good governance and superb government services, from cradle to grave. It costs a lot of money - mostly generated by oil, taxes, shipping and fish.
In return, the roads and schools are excellent and there are very, very few people living badly. Not rich or over the top, but also not going homeless or without healthcare either. In the nanny state, I have met hardly anyone that does not work, but then again, I am working so I tend to see those at work. For Norway, as we know, the influence of high taxes has led to persistent national unemployment rates as high as well, say almost 2 or 3%. Even here in Germany, unemployment is low and like everyone, we are hiring.
There are lots of advantages to the Norwegian system. We will never get there in the US, and it is a waste of breath to think otherwise. At least in my lifetime, and I am too old to care much now.
The influence of monied special interests over politics in the USA generally acts against common sense, and in many senses, the common good for the little people - which hate to say it, includes you, me and every reader in this Forum. But there will never be enough time to run through it - especially with all the headwinds thrown in our faces by K Street lobbyists and others that 100% do not give a rat’s behind for the National Interests (say a strong and vibrant maritime industry), you, me or the average Joe Six Pack.
But the plain ass truth is that Americans are not giving up their guns (see the excellent comment about American spirit above), and there ain’t no one in Amerika interested in paying 45 to 50%% income tax on $45,000 income.
That is just the way it is …
Gotta go to work. Later.
I must say it is fascinating to read threads like this, the way of thinking in the USA is like a alien planet compered to Scandinavia.
you don’t think we can fight? Norway lasted 2 months. 
