Bernie Sanders Finds The American Dream Alive And Well In Finland

[@KronosHere]

I moved to Finland last year from the US to pursue a masters degree. I had lived all over the US before moving here. Finland is above and beyond the US in so many ways. If I didn’t have family and friends back in the US, I would stay here for the rest of my life. Even without knowing the language, my quality of life is much better here due to the culture and social systems. It’s truly breath taking.

[@Manusmusic]

Glad to hear you appreciate us here :)

[@SagaciousNJ]

I have often considered finding some way to live in Scandinavia and move out of the US. But my industry (private health insurance) largely doesn't seem to exist in FInland (I congratulate them for this) and I wouldn't want my future children to be so distant from their grandparents.... *wistful sigh*

[@babstra55]

@@SagaciousNJ there's plenty of insurance companies here, just not for that specific area because it's next to pointless for obvious reasons.

[@Cheeseburger.Launch.Sequence]

@@babstra55 Lots of auto insurance haha!

[@uncleanunicorn4571]

I go in a second if it were possible.

[@bretthake7713]

When I was in college in 2015 I knew some Finnish exchange students who said students got paid appx 700 euro/mo for being in college, and no student loans of course. When I asked one of them why, they said because their country believes that investing in the students means they will be more productive and more effective members of society in the future, who would earn higher wages and pay more taxes, enriching the cycle and the country

[@Danneleet]

Thats how most first world countries around scandinavia does it. Its not rocket science. Sweden just dropped a new system to boost blue collar workers education where you get to keep your working income for a year if you pick up an education that will strengthen your position on the labor market. Basicly its 80% state contribution and 20% loan of your prior income. I just applied for it🥳

[@bretthake7713]

@@Danneleet Thank you for the additional insight. These were great, hard working students that outperformed many American students lol. The program you mention sounds great, I hope your application is approved or accepted! Good luck!

[@RichOrElse]

Tax is a dirty word in america

[@DirtyWopBastard]

​@@RichOrElse you'd be surprised. it's not just Americans that dislike theft

[@Danneleet]

@@RichOrElse taxes well spent and distributet is key. If the money does not go back to the people, then its no wonder that people start to hate it.

[@TimiTamminen]

Bernie reminds me of the average center-left Finnish politician in terms of his practicality, integrity and overall politics, such a rare breed in the US politics. To me he represents the future, the ‘what if’ that could be possible in the US if the change was truly able to take place. Considering the swamp he has had to swim in, it’s a miracle he hasn’t lost his hope (or mind), people sometimes take his strength and fighting spirit for granted because he truly is a mere man waging war against a political goliath, a modern American hero.

[@creaturecore13]

He's not the future. The US political system will only get worse. We have some of the most uneducated people in the world. We don't deserve better. We picked the politicians we have.

[@hughquigley5337]

Well put. I don’t know how he keeps going, sometimes.

[@janefreeman995]

As much as some like to blame boomers, please consider the power of the media prior to the internet. Our 'taking to the streets' was not covered or entertained at all. . If it wasn"t for the internet we would have never heard Bernie and like minds voices enmasse. He's been saying the same things for decades. And yes, we are a joke. I'm a US citizen living in Europe. The best and brightest have zero interest in going to the USA. One young woman said she would get a divorce if her husband found work with a talent visa. Trump, guns, homelessness are topics of disbelief and a total turn off. Bernie has always been a beacon for me. I met some people in NZ from Vermont. They were having a childrens party in Vermont and Bernie and Jane showed up with a food dish, but were at the wrong party. Somehow, I really love that little story.

[@richardp6461]

I will try to explain this to you, because it is a complicated topic and is full of nuance ....................Na, it's just Money, and I don't know why he doesn't wash his hands of the US and live in Finland. they would probably take him.

[@tylerhibbs7086]

@@richardp6461 shockingly dumb take lol

[@majorlycunningham5439]

I visited Finland a few years ago with my mother. I envy their public transportation. And their national spirit. It is such a small country population-wise but it’s people are some of the warmest and heartiest once you get to know them!

[@wallygropius4451]

The public transport isn't that great outside of the capital metropolitan area

[@paivyt.]

@@wallygropius4451 It is still quite good in bigger cities. For example in Jyväskylä, where I used to live.

[@oldtimer7635]

Thank you. : )

[@justskip4595]

@@paivyt. I have lived in Jyväskylä my whole life and the buses have been extremely unreliable by my experience, hence why I have been cycling around the year my whole life and been using buses preferably only when I haven't had time restraints or the trips have been provided for me like in the army (Though one time when I was going to return to barracks at sunday at the end of my vacation, I went to the bus stop more than 2 hours before my bus to the army base was going to leave from the center because I wanted to use the excess time to get a pizza because I hadn't yet eaten that day. I waited about 1,5 hours at the bus stop and buses should have been passing by every 15 minutes, none came. With the time passing, I made the decision that I was going to run the about 6km and I made it to the army bus just in time.) Cycling is far better option for transport. Winter isn't bad for cycling either and rain coming down as snow is something I prefer over getting wet.

[@paivyt.]

@@justskip4595 Ok. That was unfortunate really:) I still think that overall buses are quite reliable. My children use buses daily and it seems working to them. But of course cycling is great always! You can go whenever and wherever you want to. Sometimes even faster, since a bus may take a much longer route (usually they go via the center).

[@drizel462]

They invest in and support their people because they rightly recognize that people are their most valuable resource.

[@ColorMatching]

Social democracy there happened because workers are class conscious and political.

[@noel7777noel]

A society with no predatory lenders, no real estate scalping flippers, No one renting the American dream? A society where your Doctor you visit owns the building his practice is located. and not renting from a oligarchy. Where, you go to a restaurant and can say the words "let me speak to the owner" and not "let me speak to the manager".

[@pete_lind]

Yeah , but we do have parties that clearly copy their talking points from republiklans , Kokoomus conservative party , wants to privatize everything , cut benefits and scrap workers rights , KD (Christian democrats) are not acting very christian at all , PerSu (True Finns) , right wingers with lot of neo nazis in it , climate change deniers . then also RKP (Swedish folk party) , totally spineless party , they just want to be in government , thats why we can blame them for all problems , when they been under my life nearly in all government set ups , there is only two times when they were out , in last 50 years .

[@petrinisumaa4759]

That's exactly my thinking on this as a Finn. We're a small country and well educated people is our most valuable resource. We just can't afford to leave people behind.

[@ah-lv1gc]

Yeah great investment, giving out money to people so they don't have to work, just playing video games and spending whole days on the internet. Eventually they become outcasts in the society and start heavy drinking and drugs and some end up killing themselves. No wonder we have so many younger people who feel completely lost. I was part of this and never even had a job until I was 31. Thankfully I got out of this sick life cycle.

[@SamiKotiranta]

As a Finn myself I have to say that many of the good policies in my country are from America(before they were ruined by American politicians) , adapted to our people of course...

[@geehp2692]

Im a finn aswell, eyyy

[@ReadyEddielicious]

Definitely, it's the reason why I follow U.S. politics even though I'm Finnish myself. Trends forming in the U.S. have rippling effect in all of Europe as well, and we have attempts on dismantling our social security all the time. It's good to know what consequences it'll have to dismantle them. (Terveiset kaikille suomalaisille ketkä seuraa Majority Reportia välillä!)

[@vgaportauthority9932]

Kinda all of scandinavia went with the US constitution as a good example or basis for our own. As did France and a bunch of other nations. The US started off with such promise..

[@Svnipni]

@@geehp2692 hello neighbor on the other side of the Baltic proper

[@destronger5313]

welcome to our planet.

[@teemuhaataja589]

Greetings from Finland. I think it is also worth mentioning that because of our equal education system: a) we do not lose potential talents because of economical reasons b) a large portion of Finnish top business and potitical leaders come from ordinary families, creating a culture of very low power distance and high trust in political and other institutions. c) generally high education level of the population makes us very resilient towards disinformation. E.g. some ”externally motivated” information campaigns do not easily break through, and the level of political rhetorics is pretty high and analytical because the people just do not believe in cheap or overly simplified political sales talk.

[@dantedante839]

Nonetheless indoctrination happens anyway. As a black gay person who is also learning Suomen kieli an having a lot of experience with you guys, I'm really impressed by the fact that this "gender thing" is really something in Finland. I mean if 90% of the population has th exsct same opinion on common social discussions it just means they are indoctrinated, no matter if it's in Finland or its neighbor Russia...

[@oyveyshalom]

@@dantedante839 gender thing?

[@dantedante839]

@@oyveyshalom It depends on who you ask.. Some people call it "gender inclusion", others just call it "gender ideology".

[@benvel3392]

@@dantedante839 What is your criticism of this "gender thing?"

[@dantedante839]

@@benvel3392 It's already become a problem because people only see you as "a gay person" rather than a "person". Maybe back in the 90s or in 2000 it was a problem for you to be gay but today it feels like you are not a human person anymore. It's everywhere and you must always make sure "you support it".

[@marttivuorinen8475]

We are not perfect but what i know about rest of the world this IS my place to live in 👍 Greetings from Finland

[@Preones]

Finland is a great country to live in. I have lived here for close to a decade and I am really happy here. When my son was born I was nervous about the bill that I would have needed to pay but in the end, I only paid 350 Euros. Taxes are high but worth paying, my tax break is 48.5% per month. In daycare costs, I do pay the highest price which is 290 Euros. Still I am very happy with my life here.

[@JoshuaFazeli]

Yes, I moved to Finland last year. Left NY after 18 years. Helsinki is the new Brooklyn.

[@ReasonAboveEverything]

It has turned into a multicultural dump were people get robbed in bright daylight by teenage gangs. Diversity is such a wonderful thing.

[@JoshuaFazeli]

@@ReasonAboveEverything ⬅️RACIST BIGOT

[@inhha]

We Finns are used to reading and hearing about ridiculously expensive American idiocy, I don't think reaction shots would've made any difference.

[@appleciderhorror12]

the real American Horror Stories

[@Damacles9]

Agreed, but the reaction shots would be for the American audience. They have been brainwashed into untouchable serfs. Also, most Americans have the attention span of a gnat and follow charlatans like lemmings right over the edge into the abyss of bottomless poverty. They are blamed for their own predicament and told they should have thought about every possible outcome of any decision they made or unexpected uncontrollable circumstances they suffered. It really is sickening how oligarchs have poisoned our society to cultural and economic death.

[@kuri_sen]

I think the reaction shots are not for the Finnish people watching though but for the American people watching who need to see how ridiculous their own country is 😂

[@erkkijunkkarinen9303]

We Finns have 6 month waiting lists for routine procedures like a dental check. It is ridiculous and if you want care you basically have to go to a private dentist or a doctor.

[@DissedRedEngie]

@@erkkijunkkarinen9303 so, you'd rather have only the private sector?

[@MarkSiefert]

We need to end this notion that existence must be “earned” or ”deserved,” We didn’t ask for the circumstances of our birth, so I fail to see why we should be punished or rewarded depending to whom we are born.

[@Damacles9]

Conservativism works like this: it's all your own fault and you should have thought about EVERYTHING before you were born (or as we forced your mother to give birth to you in such intractable lowly circumstances). You did not work hard enough to set yourself free (pull yourself up by your bootstraps). After all, "Arbeit macht frei". Richtig/correct?? Recht, socialist-commie ungezeifer!!!!!!

[@vgaportauthority9932]

100%. The feeling that you're a burden if you're not producing and boosting capitalism is just soul crushing. Makes hard working poor people think their labor is valueless, and rich swine think their shifting money around on the stock market holds value in any way shape or form. In fact, gambling at a casino holds greater value than shifting money around on the stock market.. Yet the stock bros are certain their labor holds as much value to the world as their monetary gains indicate. Money and worth and usefulness have very little connection.

[@vinsanity40k]

the american philosophy is more: every man for himself, winner takes all. while this approach sometimes leads to an american innovation that is world-influencing and lucrative for the individual involved, the rest of us aren't so lucky. it is a struggle to put safety nets in place in a country where the people are taught (groomed?) to believe that safety nets are for pussies.

[@bookmanjb]

Here in Germany where I moved with my family 18 years ago to start a now-thriving small business, you not only SEE your taxes at work everywhere--low crime, clean streets, great schools, etc.--you have public health insurance and monthly child support payments (Kindergeld), among other things, which are in effect huge tax rebates. Americans simply have no idea what Democratic Socialism is and how much BETTER it is than the fixed-game economy they live in. Also: Germans (and most of the rest of the world) see subsidized university education as an investment in the future. The idea that students are "mooching" is absolutely unheard of.

[@danielslapcoff2240]

Bernie has been doing this since the 2020 campaign!! We have to promote it! Thanks for covering this MR crew :)

[@MrPhotodoc]

If it wasn't for Obama, Bernie would be President today.

[@zoobrizz]

Bernie🤡 is living the American dream. He’s a multi millionaire and owns 3 homes . And is a career politician. How’s it get any better than that? 🎃

[@irishlady30]

@@zoobrizz because of book sales, he pays his taxes, he doesn't hide his wealth, or ship it overseas to hide it...oh yeah he's not bought and sold by corporate America... Do your research...

[@ericp166]

“Bernie needs to be phony and act his reactions for the camera.” Uh. Bernie’s thing is kind of his authenticity.

[@TeroPajunen]

Having been born in, and still living in, Finland. I'm not really aware of the financial / political struggles that people (in the same socio economical profile as me) need to face. Having seen this clip, I'm happy of my karma and I will continue paying my taxes in Finland with a smile on my face.

[@icingburns99]

I used to work in a privately owned childcare center in the United States. When I heard him say that it cost about €30 a month for private childcare in Finland my jaw actually dropped. I'd bet money that the workers at centers there are paid better than workers in the United States as well. It's a real shame that the extent of our concern for children in the US is wrapped up in preventing them learning history or respect for LGBT people, and not things that might actually help them like public childcare.

[@tenderk6151]

the healthcare workers are paid well, yes. All society is paid well - there is minimum wage and very strong trade unions. Unions are strong as hell

[@brandonb.5304]

I recently traveled to Iceland which has a similar social safety net to Finland. While there, I met a college student. I asked her how much she pays to go to school. She said $300...one semester at the university in Reykjavik costs students $300. Going into debt to get a degree in these types of countries that value their citizens and want them to get an education just isn't a thing. Similarly, almost no one is homeless, paid vacation is mandated by the government, as is paternity leave and sick time, free healthcare, almost no crime, and they've recently implemented a 4 day work week so people have three days off a week to enjoy their lives. Imagine having a government that values its citizens and doesn't treat them like dispensible parts in a machine meant to make 1% of the population exceedingly wealthy. It was a culture shock from the eyes of someone from the U.S.

[@schoolingdiana9086]

Finland has been Number 1 in education for the world, since 2014.

[@wallygropius4451]

No it has been declining each year

[@vesaruntti]

Sorry to say but this stament dosent hold any kinda of scrutiny if you just bother to google.

[@garethgriffiths1674]

For any American thinking of moving to Finland, check out the KZbin video by Luke Bland titled "My American Dream was in Finland." If I understand correctly, he has now been in Finland for around 10 years .

[@lyrigageforge3259]

There are also two black dudes who live in Finland and make videos who moved there from the US. Can't remember their names but seen a few videos - there are actually some few foreigners making videos about that, not just them.

[@formatique_arschloch]

Luke is great. One of the black dudes is "Daddi Diesel".

[@Anacone]

Recent one is GIO BOZZ

[@soicybunny]

childcare here in mississippi is $150 a week for two or three days week. for five days it’s usually 300 and the child must be potty trained already to even be accepted. pre k and private k ranges 10-15k. again, in mississippi. the price is high alone but it’s worse considering our minimum wage is 7.25. disaster.

[@Damacles9]

Republicans: thoughts and prayers. (Coo-coo!!! Lol)

[@soicybunny]

@@Damacles9 churches buy out large homes on what they have made as our main roads, within the last *ten to fifteen years. i grew up on dirt roads but people owned the homes on those roads; now, churches buy the lots or gas stations do and usually tear it down. tupelo is similar to memphis, tn in that it keeps the foundations built and usually is renting but not in all cases, for consumer services like dental services or printing services. businesses. here it’s literally schools newest built within the mid 2000s, small suburban contracted zones as small as six or seven houses at a time, then once.they’re sold, they build 25 more, right next to highways and of course, next to warehouses. cmon. we LITERALLY have numerous churches lined up entirely on a road called church road, and then so many more all thru out the county. we’re a product of a distribution hub but you grow up middle class, a standardised testing curriculum, and pages ripped out of text books in history and science classes….then are grown at some point, and suddenly the middle class has disappeared. we have internet and most people are, if they haven’t already, figured out we got conned and “guess what, it’s worse for so many others as opposed to you”; aware of that, i’ll still acknowledge the scary reality that, genuinely, people don’t know what to do. or how to act.

[@soicybunny]

i really want to fix the typos again ….💀🔂 i will edit a tyt or MR* comment ten times once i’ve realized i am too quick to click that blue arrow, when i need to perfect my grammar skills 😂 but i’ll apologize instead, i’m sorry, in this moment…bc my brain has officially clocked out. u deserve an apology lol 😝🫶🏼👾

[@zoobrizz]

Bernie🤡 is living the American dream. He’s a multi millionaire and owns 3 homes . And is a career politician. How’s it get any better than that?

[@erikafinland2162]

This is something you need to fight HARD to change, it is not okay! So the parents need to work more and more to afford daycare, which only leads to them seeing their children even LESS. That system is totally faulty and needs to be corrected!!! För the children's sake, for the families' sake. There is after all nothing more important than to have time with your kids. This should be TOP priority for the government to change NOW!!! Sorry I'm getting upset all the way here in Finland.....I feel SO sorry about this, as the system here in Finland works perfectly.There should be NO problem to implement the same in the US, it is VERY simple. You deserve better!!! I really all decision makers take this seriously. Love to you all from Espoo.❤

[@DissedRedEngie]

Some things not mentioned here. When you have a child, the government sends you a care package with basic necessities for your baby. Nothing crazy, but probably something pro-lifers despise. When it comes to student debt, when you start studying, you have this thing called "right to study". The amount of years depends on what you're studying, but that's largely what your government support is based on. But here's a little kicker, if you complete your studies on time. A portion of the debt is erased. Not a huge portion, but still significant.

[@jazzx251]

The Scottish government now does the care package (or "baby box" - a shoe box that acts as a cradle, and has lots of baby goodies in it) ... it was ridiculed by the Westminster government in England ... but has turned out to be extremely popular in Scotland; as has the free period products for women policy, the first anywhere in the world. I'm sure Norway, Finland and maybe Sweden will follow soon. I'm a man. But I see it as grossly unfair that a female's body makes them pay more every month for something that is totally out of their control. It was an opposition MSP who proposed this policy - and the Scottish government liked it, and approved it.

[@antcommander1367]

when it has been standard in finland for really long time before scottish even took finnish idea of ''baby box''. to have personal care items in it to have.

[@kajerikgranlund8537]

@@jazzx251 The first baby box was distributed in Finland in 1938 and has since then been the gift to every child born here

[@oldtimer7635]

Well done Mr Ambassador, and great interview by Bernie. Greetings from Finland. : ) Good luck for midterms!

[@victortarus2814]

I live in Finland and I love it here.less to worry about…and it’s rare to see any homeless people

[@yvindjenssen7254]

I live in Norway. Which is one of the highest per capita GDP nations in the world, and we do have people we consider "low income earners" that our left wing politicians talk about boosting up all the time. But if we speak in international terms, we really don't have low income earners. VERY few people really struggle to make ends meet over here, and those that do, they have help in one way or another from the government.

[@letsgobrandon9867]

You're all on SSRIs and have one the highest suicide rates on the planet.

[@yvindjenssen7254]

@@letsgobrandon9867 We are on more anti-depressants on average because those who need them can afford to get a hold of it. And no, we don't, we are very average by countries of the world in terms of suicide. And the US actually has a higher suicide rate...

[@Cancellator5000]

@@letsgobrandon9867 They have a lower suicide rate than the US. Maybe we have lower usage of SSRIs or something, but that's probably more of a result of people avoiding using healthcare in general and particularly mental healthcare because it's stigmatized. And that's because it's unaffordable for most people on top of all the other things they need. It isn't in Norway though.

[@theideaofevil]

@@letsgobrandon9867 welcome to living in the Arctic, lmfao. Try going without sunlight for half the year and see how your brain handles it

[@Tester-sh1mn]

@@theideaofevil I don’t think he sees sunlight at all, going to the arctic might be a good thing for him!

[@TheSeeker225]

Is it hard to immigrate to Finland? I'd love to live in a functioning country for a change.

[@ReadyEddielicious]

The language is a bitch to learn, any Finnish native can tell you that! Don't lose hope if you really want to tho

[@andromidius]

Iceland is easier to migrate to - they actively want more people. Their language is also quite tricky to learn, but English is commonly understood (at least in the urban areas of the south). Same with Germany and to a degree France and Denmark. A lot of the thriving countries with a more socialist leaning system (by comparison to the US and UK, at least) are eager for people to come there.

[@Damacles9]

Look up their immigration policies. Unless you're a millionaire or Nobel Laureate, forget it, just like Canada. They don't want US trash (no insult to you). They got all the refugees America keeps creating these past 22 years and hate them all; becoming fascists again all through Europe. Out of the frying pan, into the fire(?).

[@YoLpIsBest]

Yes, if you have a job lined up already or you're a student. As the previous reply's said, the language is really hard and a prerequisite for a lot of jobs.

[@moonliteX]

basically every finn speaks engllish so you don't have to learn the language if you don't want to. and i can't see the process being too hard for anyone

[@terolaitanen]

You get into top 10% earner class if your income/year after taxes is over 45 000 euros (these days the amount is same in dollars) her in Finland. Also the one important thing here is that we don't have elite schools, everybody goes to same public schools from elementary to University. That way the kids/young adults who in one day will be politicians and company leaders have a touch on "normal" people, they have lot's of friends who are ordinary people, not only those who are rich. It makes them much more empathic towards ordinary people and they behave accordingly. Just like our young prime minister who is known for her parties with her friends and comes from a rainbow family. And then ofcourse labour unions, which take care of the workers, huge and influencial.

[@SavolaxMitsu]

Ei muuten pidä paikkaansa PK-seudulla, missä koulut ovat erkaantuneet varsin jyrkästi ja täällä on useita ns. itsenäisiä kouluja.

[@b6983832]

@@SavolaxMitsu Sanders on kommari, eikä hänen ajatuksensa poikkea muiden kommareiden ajatuksista. Suomessa tällainen ajattelu, että julkisesti rahoitettu olisi ilmaista, on valitettavan yleistä. "Pohjoismainen hyvinvointivaltio" nykymuodossaan on utopia, jonka kulisseja pidetään tällä hetkellä yllä lainaamalla rahaa. Tällainen taloudenpito tulee kuitenkin ajan kuluessa mahdottomaksi, ellei jostain löydy rahapuuta (vrt. Norjan öljy).

[@erikafinland2162]

​@@SavolaxMitsu ei ainakaan ruotsinkielisissä kouluissa

[@SavolaxMitsu]

@@erikafinland2162 Ne pidetäänkin ainakin PK-seudulla keinotekoisesti pieninä oppilasmäärien osilta, kun suomenkielisiä kouluja on yhdistetty suurimmiksi säästöjen takia. Toisaalta Norssi ja Ressu on aina ollut stadissa omaa luokkaansa.

[@yliubers]

@@SavolaxMitsu Tarkotti varmaan ettei ole sellasia kouluja joista ei vois ponnistaa yhtä korkeelle ku muistakin, riippuen vaan oman motivaation määrästä.

[@SilentOcalypz]

I hope in my next life I'm born into a country that takes care of its citizens like Finland.

[@TimiTamminen]

I can’t lie, the overall respect and trust we have in our institutions is something I took for granted until I moved abroad and slowly learned how a lot of the other countries view their governments. I feel like America is so numb to the corrosion, corruption and the oligarchical domination at this point that people tend to forget what could be possible. Ironically, I see a lot of parallels to Russia because both countries have strong imperialist, nationalist presences on the world stage with a great divide between the increasingly austerity-bred working people and the comically greedy, out-of-touch elites.

[@noel7777noel]

A society with no predatory lenders, no real estate scalping flippers, No one renting the American dream? A society where your Doctor you visit owns the building his practice is located. and not renting from a oligarchy. Where, you go to a restaurant and can say the words "let me speak to the owner" and not "let me speak to the manager". A society where the people building homes also owns the same size homes. and not treated like slaves. A society with no paycheck lenders and car title predatory lenders. Where everyone can get a intrest free loan to buy a house and car. free from predatory lending. A society where all the Paul's are in prison and the Peters are no longer a victim.

[@VARMOT123]

@@TimiTamminen only thing is weather is gloomy and depressing though

[@DirtyWopBastard]

you could just move

[@jhwhthemerciful]

Alright Fools. What the OP here said is actually true. Rebirth is real.

[@scottcotton5654]

finland also has a smaller population which in the us since our tax base is larger we wouldnt have to tax that much to get what finland has.

[@burhan8795]

Incoherent sentence

[@yahwehvii6059]

We would need to tax the wealth to make any of it possible.

[@johnallenbailey1103]

@@burhan8795 not really.

[@burhan8795]

@@johnallenbailey1103 it's a fragmented sentence

[@johnallenbailey1103]

@@burhan8795 still was easy to understand. If you didn't, maybe you aren't as proficient in the English language as you think you are.

[@buddahluvaz8]

If they ran this on American television half the country would erupt in “socialism!!!” rants. The country would be so much better if people weren’t crippled by poverty because a few guys need a second mega yacht.

[@destronger5313]

if we had this system, the US would be kicking everyone's ass when it comes to various educations, careers, etc. we have the ability, but we're so stuck in our ways of changing that i feel this country will eventually fracture.

[@jazzx251]

@@destronger5313 The last time you had something anywhere near this, you landed the first man on the moon, and brought him back alive - using a ship's computer with less memory than a pocket calculator. With socialism, anything is possible. Without it, it's just Fortnite, a brutal race for resources until one is left standing .. and dies.

[@zoobrizz]

Bernie🤡 is living the American dream. He’s a multi millionaire and owns 3 homes . And is a career politician. How’s it get any better than that?

[@jazzx251]

I don't believe you. Yes - "socialism!!" rants would be a thing, But I truly believe most Americans would be fine with it. Why? Because you've done this before. Franklin Delanor Roosevelt, a President that enacted the most socialist policies the country has ever seen (artificially "fixing up" the USA with civic jobs - like mending roads, and tidying up parks) ... his reward was 4 terms in office - would have been 5 if he hadn't died. So - the most revered President in US history was a socialist, in all but name. Not sure he would have got the Japanese vote - but we can't have everything.

[@robcormier7272]

Canada has just implemented a national day care program at 10.00 per day or rougly 2500.00 per year. It will be rolled out over the next few years and does not include those who are needing assistance as their rates will be much lower than the national program. No two ways about it though Finland is a great example of what is possible.

[@mcstaal]

The distance from US to the Nordic countries and Finland? About 100-150 years.

[@user-ce6iy2nw5o]

Finland and usa arent on the same deveplomental roads because they are fundamentally different societies. Atleast i hope, i would not like finland to become like usa

[@C0urne]

Btw he's Finland's ambassador to the US and no, we don't do visible big emotions for good reaction shots. Sorry.

[@jimwallington437]

When politicians truly care about their electorate and want to have the happiest, healthiest, best educated populace possible the result is countries like Finland.

[@lassekankila3807]

For example. Our first born is in the daycare and my wife takes care of the two younger kids at home. Because I ain't a rich guy, we don't have to pay anything for the daycare of our first born. This too is possible in Finland.

[@sterlingfury]

When a country or company looks after it members in the Finnish way its a win win win situation and it baffles me to no end that this most obvious of truths is ignored and actually suppressed by mainstream media and politicians around the world...living wages, affordable cost of living, health care, full education etc are all possible...more income in the hands and bank accounts of your population will only lead to increasing prosperity for companies and individuals and an increase in government tax revenues etc...

[@tenderk6151]

Europe here - Bernie should not do these interviews in Scandinavian countries more often - thats what the journalists are supposed to do - meaning YOU should do the interviews

[@lyrigageforge3259]

Yea I was thinking the same. WTF do the american journalists do these days anyhow? It's bit odd to see a politician interviewing a diplomat, no?

[@yoditgirmakoivisto995]

Wooohoo! Finland ❤

[@JohnTavastian]

I am a Finn and my first job was 15 dollars an hour with no previous work experience. I believe the minimum wage is about 11 dollars an hour.

[@yliubers]

There is no one minimum wage in FInland.

[@JohnTavastian]

@@yliubers kyllä lain mukaan on

[@yliubers]

@@JohnTavastian "Vähimmäispalkka ("minimipalkka") on pienin mahdollinen palkka, joka lain mukaan työntekijälle tulee maksaa. Useimmissa maissa on oma vähimmäispalkkalainsäädäntönsä mutta Suomessa, Ruotsissa ja Tanskassa ei ole yleistä vähimmäispalkkaa."

[@JohnTavastian]

@@yliubers I stand corrected

[@michaellv426]

There's an interesting experiment in physics called "The Spring Paradox", I think people underappreciate the meaning of this experiment, and its applications in civil infrastructure. It is a good example to show how intervention, redistribution of workloads and/or resources, - that is, creating regulation and rules, - leads to overall better outcomes for everybody, even on individual level, and even if individuals would think that removing such regulations would give them advantage personally, in reality the opposite is true. Apparently Finland is an example of a country in which people understand this.

[@UnKnown-xs7jt]

Thanks, for interesting presentation

[@zoobrizz]

Yes. Bernie🤡 is living the American dream. He’s a multi millionaire and owns 3 homes . And is a career politician. How’s it get any better than that? Plus free healthcare and a pension 💋

[@Ama-Elaini]

Bernie seems like a politician with his feet firmly on the ground, and I have to admit that being interested in our system in the way he does feels flattering.

[@JohnTavastian]

They didn't mention it but every kid is equal in Finland. There are no private schools so that everyone has the same possibility to succeed in life. The poor kids go to the same school with the rich. This in turn makes the rich parents want to keep up the school.

[@yliubers]

Finland has private schools. Not very many and most of those are higher education, but we do have them.

[@DementedElvis]

In Berlin we pay 23€ per month for child care regardless of income. Highest amount is in Bavaria with around 215€, which is basically covered by the 215€ everyone receives for each child they have.

[@trillionbones89]

In Hamburg it's free.

[@DementedElvis]

@@trillionbones89 Yeah I think it is also theoretically free in Berlin but you pay 23€ for lunch if the facility offers lunch.

[@zoobrizz]

Germany is broke and it’s going to get worse this winter 🤡👍

[@simplicitas5113]

*Infant mortality rate* USA: 5.5 Czech republic: 2.5 Finland: 1.4

[@erikafinland2162]

Read the BBC article about the Finnish baby boxes: Why babies all over the world are now sleeping in boxes

[@vgaportauthority9932]

Hey, fellow nords, we piss and moan at times, but we got it pretty good.. People look at stuff many of us have taken for granted our whole lifes as damn near unattainable. I feel safe all the time. It's hard to really understand how rare that is in this world when you've never been under real imminent threat.

[@sielukettu]

Yah we should appreciate what we got and spread some good vibes to others countries too 🙏🏼😇🌞

[@fungibu7184]

One word, education. I moved to England from an ex Soviet country when I was in high school. Most of the English world in general is at least 3 years behind Northern Europe in terms of education.

[@eekamak]

If I would be American, I would change your voting system that it would be possible to get out of that two party system. With the "so called" majority vote system America cannot change to more "sanity" based politics

[@JJ-qo7th]

Unfortunately, major overhauls require more than a simple majority. Our situation is such that just a tenth of the people in this country can throw a fit and demand that nothing changes, and nothing will change. It is a very specific, rural, bigoted, ignorant tenth.

[@LeSatan]

As a Finn I must say we are always creeped out of the American cost of living. About everyone here supports the system, the system where poor can become rich. Good stuff, MR.

[@jessetorres8738]

We need Medicare For All here in the U.S., especially during this time with the Coronavirus pandemic! What's more "pro-life" than ensuring that every person living here has guaranteed affordable healthcare regardless of their job? If we all had access to basic healthcare, we would have the "freedom" to live long lives and rarely have to worry about medical bankruptcies. Taxes will go up, but the overall costs will go down. If some of us need additional healthcare than Medicare, then we have the "choice" to get additional insurance. If every other developed country (Canada, Germany, U.K., France, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Switzerland, Taiwan, Japan, S.K., H.K., Singapore, Australia, and N.Z.) can implement this system and save money, then why can't we do the same and help "Make America Great Again" for everybody at least on the issue of healthcare? If American citizens die from lacking access to affordable health insurance then we are failing our country's promise of defending "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" for its citizens as well as "promoting the general welfare" of everyone living here.

[@MrPhotodoc]

Instead we got like $1500 a household. Maybe. The rich got the rest.

[@ADITYASHARMA-im2qo]

Democrats and leftists have made it clear , they don't care about life so you will never get pro life laws. 😘

[@Damacles9]

Conservativism offers victim blaming and scapegoating while stealing all the money. No wonder America sucks for 90% of us.

[@zoobrizz]

Yes. Bernie🤡 is living the American dream. He’s a multi millionaire and owns 3 homes . And is a career politician. How’s it get any better than that? Plus free healthcare and a pension 💋

[@diallo1347]

I dated a girl from Norway in my psych undergrad. We were both going to grad school but she moved back home because she thought the idea of paying for her masters was asinine. We are working towards the same degree, same training, but she is going for free.

[@Spacemongerr]

Even more than for free: The government pays you ~$450 per month if you go to university.

[@injusticeanywherethreatens265]

Thanks for sharing your story and do y'all see? If it can be done elsewhere in the OECD the USA can definitely do this too!

[@TheDerperado]

We Finns don't live in utopia. To us, USA is just dystopia.

[@eduard2654]

The top priority of every country and every government official is to move their country towards the finnish system

[@marierosario2773]

I think that’s a great idea! He needs a weekly podcast explaining what goes on in the senate! I love this

[@zoobrizz]

Bernie🤡 is living the American dream. He’s a multi millionaire and owns 3 homes . And is a career politician. How’s it get any better than that?

[@marierosario2773]

There’s a whole breakdown of his home mortgage purchases and what was sold! Also a breakdown of his pay and also the house his wife put his name on! I look up information! I don’t rely on others to tell me something and not verify it!!

[@hyiux]

Finland's GDP per capita is less than that of the US. And the US is huge in comparison to Finland, meaning the US has abundant wealth. It is blessed in terms of its natural resources. It attracts the best talent from all over the world. It is a developed country without ageing population, a rare combination. Yet it treats its poorer citizens like trash. That's why we call it a first world country with a third world politics.

[@victorseger6044]

Well Finland is the size of the state of Montana so it's a bit of apple's and orange so there's that..

[@loloppololp9304]

... lol.

[@CryptoAlex89]

@@victorseger6044 why does that matter. You guys govern by state anyway.

[@Turha101]

@@victorseger6044 Finlands population density is half of what the population density is for the US. Arranging social services etc for people should be easier (more cost effective) to do in the US compared to Finland, assuming the will to do so was there.

[@Pappa_66]

Thanks guys! Welcome to Finland, Northern Countries or Scandinavia! It always sounds so bad when you pull the highest possible numbers or Tax-%. 60% sounds high but the average Finnish "wage loss" among "working class" people is lower than like in the US. So when you calculate all the taxes, local, state, federal etc. and only add to that the average health care premium per citizen, the US "working people" are paying like 43-45% of their salary to cover just these costs. And that is higher than in Northern countries, like Finland. And do not forget the vacations, maternity leave for both parents (up to 3 years), "unlimited" sick days, overtime compensation, weekend and holiday compensation, social security and pension and health care insurance starting at your first ever job, no matter if it is like during spring break etc....I know it is very difficult to understand in the US, cause you are "dreamers and simple folks, we do not have a Finnish dream, cause we are awake"- Pub Land Lord -Al Murray, stand up quote. Best regards from Finland😍😍🤩🤩And for God sake VOTE!!

[@naihaseo9840]

...And welcome to reality with the taxes.🤡 Coming from a Finnish worker aka duunari.

[@samdegoeij6576]

I'm from the Netherlands and we didn't have working poor until about 20 years ago when neoliberalism's effects truly kicked in.

[@susannekalejaiye4351]

US expat in Finland. Homogeneous? We (Finland) are housing refugees from all over the planet! Remember your remark on the number of homeless in Finland? Well, the refugees aren't homeless here. The ones who may be homeless tend to have mental health and or substance abuse issues, which is being addressed and that is why the homeless rate in Finland is falling. We want people to have homes and if that means paying a bit more in taxes, I would be delighted to pay more! I got my Master's here, no debt. My daughter and son-in-law got their Masters here: no debt. Two grandkids are working on their Masters and one grand kid is doing vocational education. No debt. The last grandchild is in High School and no debt. I could say more, but I'll end with why Bernie doesn't do the face into camera "so surprised" look: he's known and been telling everyone exactly this message for years (I'm old enough to remember him before you were a remote gleam in your parents' eyes)!

[@oldsesalt8496]

I get depressed hearing how much better people have it in other countries than the US. And the "we're number one" bullshit is so sad.

[@zoobrizz]

Yes. Bernie🤡 is living the American dream. He’s a multi millionaire and owns 3 homes . And is a career politician. How’s it get any better than that? Plus free healthcare and a pension 💋

[@oldsesalt8496]

@@zoobrizz Assume what you say is true. Bernie wants these things for everyone. Republicans do not. The corporate Dems also do not.

[@esotere]

I’ve never understood the homogeneous argument about why we can’t have nice things in America. Can someone please explain it to me?

[@sielukettu]

Maybe it's similar to trickle down economy theory 🙄

[@ReasonAboveEverything]

Finland is homogenous both culturally and ethnically. They have iq that is depending on the study right on par with many top east Asian countries. Only few million people live there. Same thing with other nordic countries and places like Japan tho other nordic countries have taken significant number of migrants from third world cultures that is already having a negative impact. All the very successful wealfare states tik these boxes. The closer you can get a notion of a small tribe the better shit like this works. Even communism has worked in a village of 100 people.

[@JohnTavastian]

He is not the first to say this. many Americans who have moved to Finland have said the same.

[@Markstubation01]

I graduated without debt. I’m lucky my degree wasn’t expensive like it is in the US.

[@KeljuIvan]

The Finnish guy was the ambassador to the USA, so I'm sure he was familiar with these major differences between the countries.

[@Pappa_66]

Lets put it simple, I had to call an ambulance for/to my mother in the middle of the night. They came to the 5th floor with their equipment and run multiple tests like EKG, blood pressure, sugar/insulin levels, oxygen saturation and what not. Took her down to the ambulance and run some more test before taking her to the emergency room at the hospital quite far away. I got the bill, €22 like 22 USD. Everything. She was almost 2 weeks in 4 different "special" units in the hospital. Dozens and dozens of tests, X-ray, MRI, Intensive care etc. Breakfast, 3 meals and 2 "snacks", like fruits, sandwiches, vegetables etc. and all the medication/drugs, physiotherapy and what not. Bill 750 USD. All inclusive.

[@T1MEHUNT]

@majority report he did one a with the norwegian ambassador a little while back, you might want to watch

[@eckharttrolle9904]

Remember when Sam Sedurr repeated the "Russia-collusion" tripe for 2 years straight? I do. Sam is an intellectual lightweight.

[@eckharttrolle9904]

@@nathanmiller3891 "Anyone I disagree with is a troll." Sam Sedurrrr fans are cringey.

[@estitt1973]

Matt’s point about political education is very important. Bernie should be building a community of leftists to teach Americans how to think; teach history, and inform people in such a a way that it’s irrefutable. Do a telethon and bring all these talking heads together to hold a multi day telethon.

[@07Flash11MRC]

@@peterstafford4426 "Education is not the problem.": It very much is as every type of international test show. Red states are similar to third world countries and blue states at least compete with developing countries.

[@xtinkerbellax3]

@@peterstafford4426 Yea its more a lack of critical or rational thought and an inability to admit when we're wrong, that ties into education but I don't know how you course correct once these people are out of school/adults. No matter how many times you correct these people, no matter how nicely, no matter how much evidence you give them, they just double down on their wrongness.

[@zoobrizz]

Yes. Bernie🤡 is living the American dream. He’s a multi millionaire and owns 3 homes . And is a career politician. How’s it get any better than that? Plus free healthcare and a pension 💋

[@sandrafrancisco]

did he actually say doctors graduate with 0 debt?

[@Damacles9]

Yeah, if they don't want to work at all and study, some take on some debt. I wonder why America has a doctor/nurse/engineer/pilot shortage problem? Go figure...cultural/economic Ponzi Scheme.

[@07Flash11MRC]

Crazy, huh? Well, it's normal in every European country with a socialist-democratic gov't.

[@wallygropius4451]

Yes but unlike in the US doctors only need to attend 6 years of medical school without a prior undergraduate degree.

[@paivyt.]

@@wallygropius4451 In Finland, usually those who go to university to study medicine, have finished senior high school - or "lukio" in Finnish - which last 2-3 years (all this after 9-10 years of basic education). Or, they have undergraduate degree in the field of medicine. The basic education, senior high school and university are all free here. Also, people can get a support fee for studies and housing since they turn 17 years. This makes possible to graduate without much dept. But also student loan is very affordable (covered by government). And, if a person graduates sooner, he/she may get some of the loan reduced.

[@wallygropius4451]

@@paivyt. I'm from Finland. In the US you're required a 4 year bachelor degree in a related science subject (biology, chemistry, physics, math) before you're even allowed to study medicine. No such case in Finland.

[@GhostOnTheHalfShell]

Where do I sign up to learn Finnish?

[@Damacles9]

All the people in tent cities speak Finished.

[@moonliteX]

duolingo

[@GhostOnTheHalfShell]

@@07Flash11MRC y’all making me worry…

[@zoobrizz]

On line 🤡🤡🤡

[@GhostOnTheHalfShell]

@@zoobrizz dude I am angling for adoption

[@grev.]

if you like this segment, "where to invade next" is great

[@birdlover7776]

That’s a very sad yet informative film

[@aarnoarnold1973]

Just imagine if the U.S. did some of the things Finland does. Their collective standard of living would skyrocket. If only the low-income to middle-class segment could see how much better it can be, they might rise up against the 1% who control everything.

[@seriouslywhatever1031]

People don't have to suffer. This shouldn't be a revelation!

[@jazzx251]

Revolution!

[@aleksilepisto7282]

Also worth noting is the corporate tax rate in Finland. So there is a perceived narrative that isn’t quite being met here. Bernie knows that which is why he’s steering clear of the real topics.

[@AndyMorrisArt]

Effective Tax Rate of the wealthy in Finland? "Finland's highest marginal tax rate is close to 60% - that's not to say people pay that much tax on everything they make. The marginal tax rate only touches the last euro of income earned and people falling into this tax bracket have an average tax rate of roughly 42%." Oddly the exact rate our wealthy paid in the 50's when we had a healthy growing middle-class.

[@lyrigageforge3259]

And if one has long enough an illness that puts them to minimal income, it is possible to have 0% personal tax-rating. All thought that does demand some serious ass paper trail to be retired due health reasons to start with - meaning that they aren't actually working to earn, because they can't.

[@tao_dude2798]

It's great to see Emma again. It's been a while. No offense Sam, but Emma seemed to be doing great with her own show. I watched it more than I watch your show.

[@vforillo]

SANDERS/TURNER 2024!

[@shinyamada488]

Scandinavia always treats its people well

[@jessicaandersson4313]

Finland isn't Scandinavian though, it's part of the Nordic countries.

[@paappan4124]

I am moved to finland with job and without education. They respect skill. Money is the last thing to worry about here.

[@karihamalainen9622]

Check the facts! Finland is now inside debt crisis and so is all Europe. Even Sanna Marin says elders helth treatment is in terrible level. Schoolsystem collapsed and there are many 10 year old kids who cannot read or write with any language. etc ....

[@dingusdingus2152]

Bernie needs lots of sounds on his soundboard like a trombone going wah wah wah, and Samuel l Jackson going say WHAT?, and cartoon effects like boiyoiyoing and explosions, the freon horn, and alarm clock, and ding ding ding!, and so forth. You get the idea...

[@Damacles9]

The pantheon of classic cartoon sounds.

[@MrPhotodoc]

1000 homeless in Finland? There are 5.5 million people there. You do the math. We can do better.

[@tiNppari]

So Can we...

[@pekkajarvinen69]

​@@tiNppari i agree, that number should be close to zero (close because some of those are living outside because they want to).

[@erikafinland2162]

​@@pekkajarvinen69 Some people insist on being homeless, as the elderly woman who had lived 7 years in the woods, it sås all over the news. The social services tried everything they possibly could to get her to move into an appartment. She refused. Just a while ago it was in the news that the had sadly passed away :(

[@startsomewhere5467]

This dude said 30 dollars a month in Massachusetts it's 75 per DAY

[@Zaradorian]

it is so sad what we could be, and its all being stifled bc of greed

[@zoobrizz]

Bernie🤡 is living the American dream. He’s a multi millionaire and owns 3 homes . And is a career politician. How’s it get any better than that?

[@Zaradorian]

@@zoobrizz maybe other people can have a sliver of that kind of wealth? uh doh

[@caseydent3199]

I moved to Finland, a Democratic Socialist country, from New Zealand, a Democratic Capitalist country, 7 years ago. I would never dream of ever moving back to New Zealand, or to any other country except for possibly Norway for the exact same reasons that are discussed in this video as well as the Healthcare System here.

[@leviyoung91]

Any link to to this Bernie Sanders interview?

[@zoobrizz]

Yes. Bernie🤡 is living the American dream. He’s a multi millionaire and owns 3 homes . And is a career politician. How’s it get any better than that? Plus free healthcare and a pension 💋

[@leviyoung91]

@@zoobrizz "3 houses" "multimillionaire" lol, way to push a narrative without doing any research.

[@erikafinland2162]

Just search the names in youtube

[@wynoglia]

I wish Bernie and AOC did one together it'd be like the more serious version of the Leftovers

[@zoobrizz]

Yes. Bernie🤡 is living the American dream. He’s a multi millionaire and owns 3 homes . And is a career politician. How’s it get any better than that? Plus free healthcare and a pension 💋

[@REIDFORBUS]

The most important thing is not the gross income, but the amount of money left over from the salary. I pay about 33% of my income in taxes in Finland, and I don't even know exactly what my taxable salary is. It's not important.

[@frasselainen]

Finland or any other Western European country. What the Finish ambassador talked about is no fiction, it’s reality, better or worse from country to country. We wouldn’t accept the “American” system even though we have to pay much more taxes. We certainly don’t live in a paradise, but so called free America is definitely not our choice.

[@Mustanaamio7]

Finland isn't Western European country.

[@frasselainen]

Geographically it’s of course in Northern Europe but it’s part of “Western Europe”, speaking about free, liberal welfare states…but that’s not the point here.

[@henriikkak2091]

The video was pretty light in terms of content. I feel that we should be past the point of gushing and ready to discuss how it's actually done.

[@aleksilepisto7282]

“According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's figures, on average, the taxes are 42.7% in Finland, compared to 24.3% in the US.”

[@yliubers]

But most pay around 25% to 35% in tax..

[@hansfyhrqvist7734]

We have here in Finland a great welfare society and and very well working democracy. As is the case in all other Nordic countries, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland. The same applies to most of the European nations, especially in Western and Central Europe, and nowadays mainly in EU countries.

[@kit2770]

Matt's suggestion of a slide whistle was funny.

[@jermM.]

You guys got the reaction shot in the thumbnail😆

[@sonam426]

Czech Republic don’t need to pay university as well, but working people have to pay from 51%-75%. Maternity 3 to 4 years and paid by government around 400€ each month, if you are single mom, get more money.

[@hughquigley5337]

“Speaking of phone lines-“ *video ends* C’mon Bradley you didn’t have to do it to us like that

[@werre2]

"30 dollars a month" - and like 60-80% total tax rate - which is never mentioned. 24% VAT, typically 30-60% income tax depending on income, fuel is like $10 a gallon in US terms, etc etc.

[@ShuasiBjorlen]

As someone who occasionally hears the “well, it’s a small, homogeneous country so...” argument I’m so caught off guard by this nonsense that I don’t even know how to respond, yet it needs a response. Where do I even start with these people?

[@user-ce6iy2nw5o]

Says the american. As a finn i say that our system would never be sustainable over there.

[@ShuasiBjorlen]

@@user-ce6iy2nw5o I’m genuinely curious as to why you think these policies wouldn’t work here?

[@user-ce6iy2nw5o]

@@ShuasiBjorlen Your country isn't homogenous, there is way too big underclass, you have no trust. If you would try to implement nation wide social democracy, i bet all the different federal states couldn't agree and your washington-lead wealth redistribution and that would cause your federation to disintegrate. Well, i am not american so i can't be sure how this would happend, but something which im sure about is that it wouldn't work in a national scale. Perhaps it could on a smaller scale in northern states with less polarisation.

[@ShuasiBjorlen]

@@user-ce6iy2nw5o Genuinely not trying to be rude but that explanation makes no sense, it’s just an opinion. I would like to hear someone present an argument that articulates what it is about not being homogeneous that would prevent these programs and policies from being effective and successful. The reality is we have had social-democratic policies under FDR through LBJ and they were quite popular and the country didn’t disintegrate, in fact they created the greatest middle class to ever exist in the history of the planet. In all honesty, your “opinion” is just a right wing talking point disguised as a “fact”.

[@ReasonAboveEverything]

Seems to be common nominator with all the successful wealfare states. That and high iq lol. Homogeneous country means same culture. It means people look at things the same way. People value same things so people are going to pull in the same direction. The closer you get an concept of village the better wealth distribution works. Fuck even full blown communism that has been a cancer on earth has worked in a village of 100 (it was some experiment). Multiculturalism and diversity is not a strength despite what powers promoting and lobbying mass migration like to say. They do it for cheap labor and to raise cost of living. It makes organizationslike big rock really happy. It has never been and it never will be. All currently really successful wealfare states are homogenous or were in near future. The examples of successful multiculturalism in history are when there is one majority dictating rules like in Russia (slavic majority) or/and where language and culture are forcibly homogenized. It's easier to tule where the people are homogenous. There is a reason why that has been an important goal for dictators since forever. In US you have not only all the different ethnicities with often different ways to do things but you have different states with their own differences on top of that. It would be like Europe trying to create one big wealfare state. It will simply not work without highly tuned byrocray and ability to force it with power very similarly to how Soviet union functioned. And that was a fucking sad disaster that I hope and pray will never happen again. Nobody can handle that kind of power.

[@janko6608]

I would add one element which is affecting. Universal conscript system means that sons of the CEOs and presidents are in same teams and barracks as sons of the poor parents. That also brings people together.

[@kajerikgranlund8537]

After the Civil or Independenc War we Finsn were devided in Whites and Reds, Reds standing for socialists and communists. Taht coould have devided the country for decades. But we had the same schoolsystem for all the kids. They grew up sitting in the same class rooms. They played together, they got to learn each other and found out those others are no monsters. They stopped thinking about them as enemies. They were just kids at the same school. That united out country

[@hannamakela6989]

Finland is great in many ways but it is not perfect! Neoliberalism is coming for us too, the progressive left really needs to gain momentum!

[@ReasonAboveEverything]

So that we could go down the same road as Sweden? No thanks.

[@hannamakela6989]

@@ReasonAboveEverything Between the US and Sweden, I'd take Sweden anytime!

[@vforillo]

We need to accompany Bernie with vaudevillian sound effects, and his cousins sound effects from curb your enthusiasm