Bernie Speaks with the Finnish Ambassador: What Can We Learn From Finland?

This week, I had the chance to speak with the Finnish Ambassador and I asked him what can the U.S. learn from Finland?

[@stramlukt]

"Anything else you wanted to add?" "No, I'm okay with this" - That's the most Finnish way to respond, gotta love Finns keeping it real

[@valeriapinto1866]

An immigrant to Finland here (4 years): I confirm everything he said. Additionally, the country paid for my language and integration course (plus a monthly allowance) right after I got here on the family ties status. I am about to finish my IBM master's degree fully sponsored by the system. Now I am employed and pay taxes and do it happily because I UNDERSTAND why they are needed and how they are used. For all that, thank you, Finland and Finnish society.

[@JP-xd6fm]

The cold climate makes people to value more the society and feeling part of a community, making them less prone to be corrupt. It has to be the climate, there's the only explanation I have after being in Denmark and being spaniard.

[@qwertyqwerty-ek7dy]

@@JP-xd6fm Not true. Even ancient Iran during the islamic golden age had really exelent social safty nets and scientific achievements. Hospitals were not allowed to turn away people who weren't able to pay (later it also became free and included the people who weren't citizens), they had hospitals for the mentaly ill, they sent doctors to monitor the health and living conditions of prisoners and they gave money for those who've been injured or sick so that they can continue healing without having to go to work straight away. It's not about climate it's about political will.

[@JP-xd6fm]

@@qwertyqwerty-ek7dy No, no , I was talking about corruption. I'm in Spain and we have free healthcare, and many of the social benefits the north has BUT our politicians are always robbing us the money and give public contracts to friends and all that shaddy stuff you know for sure;). And I'm pretty sure you can't name a single country with warm weather with as little corruption as in Denmark. Maybe and just maybe Australia

[@qwertyqwerty-ek7dy]

@@JP-xd6fm If cold climate would stop corruption Russia would be the most non corrupt nation in the world. It's not about climate it's about checks and balances

[@Hamppariranskis]

That's great! Glad to have you here 😊

[@82tms]

Lol Bernie walked right into a Finnish trap with that last question :D -Anything else that you wanted to add? -No, I'm okay with this. -Alright well...

[@iwantabetterworld2773]

Hi 82tms, I don't believe it was a Finnish trap. The Ambassador covered just about everything. I do wish they had discussed taxes; which are still lower than what Americans pay for doctor appointments, hospitalization, and education.

[@teasdaye]

Do not ask 1) a woman her age 2) a man his salary 3) a Finn if he has anything to add

[@anttikalpio4577]

Laconic, polite ”no thanks, I’m good” is about as Finnish you can get 😂

[@MarkusKiili]

@@iwantabetterworld2773 yes, but if he would done it in the middle of the interview, the answer would be same.

[@hepolaroth]

No need for small talk

[@malamuutti]

As a Finn, it was great to see our Ambassador speaking with Bernie and telling the things that need to be told. That these things Bernie's been fighting for, actually exist somewhere out there.

[@stephenlevine011]

Amen 🙏

[@theRPGmaster]

Bernie would hate having to give half of his money away in taxes, he would lose billions if he lived in Finland.

[@hage666]

Bernies a hardcore socialist btw... We dont need another: Venezuela, China, North Korea, USSR, Cuba, half of African countries...

[@ImRanger]

Vittu pääkii maksetaan puolet veroista kelalle jotta ne voisi antaa mamuille ilmaset kodit.

[@thx1138sixnine]

As a Finn will you support sending weapons to other people fighting to get their territory back from an illegal invasion? Syria and Golan Heights? Palestinians and occupied territories? Did Finland send military assistance to Iraq when my nation illegally invaded? Or to Grenada when we illegally invaded them? Or to Panama when we illegally invaded? Does Finland apply the same principle to people who do not have blond hair?

[@Frightspear]

A finn here. Pleased to see that our ambassadeur represented Finland with clear and sincere manner (as a typical finn). And thank you very much, Mr Sanders, for your struggle for a fair society to all citizens in US.

[@kellihorton1142]

American here, don't encourage this Commie in the name of Americans. You live in a tiny, homogeneous society. It buffoonish to compare the two.

[@meomarte]

He was ok... But lacking some rocknroll in my opinion. Typical boring diplomat. Some socioeconomical scientist would probably have been a more interesting character to interview.

[@msaar1303]

​@@meomarte all nationalities are not always overreacting. Some just focus on the matter on hand without show and overstatements.

[@Warutteri]

@@meomarte Us Finns tend to be a bit reserved, especially professional people, we don't do much small talk or idle chit chat and most of us won't risk misunderstandings or getting off topic when talking about important issues or topics and tend to just stick to the facts and let the facts themselves be the thing that convinces you or not and not the person or the manner they're talking in. Now had Bernie served some beer before and/or during the interview it might have been a totally different situation as Finns often "come out of their shell" and you can see a totally different side to us when we're a bit tipsy, a Finn that's normally really quiet and reserved can suddenly be a really boisterous, friendly and talkative person with a few drinks in them. Hell, with enough social lubricant we might have even gotten a demonstration of just why Finnish has a word for getting drunk alone at home in your underpants 😂

[@jussilahteenmaki3475]

@@msaar1303 Seeing a Finn cheering wildly is a) mental case or b) something to do with ice hockey. Otherwise it is like this 24/7 ZZZzzzzzz.... 🤣

[@saurabhtaware3740]

As an Indian living in Finland for past 4 years, I have to add there is no 'celebrity culture' and that's kind of amazing!

[@lumihanki5631]

True...we admire them for their work and skills but really don't let ourselves be bothered any further by their perceived status... ..one of the biggest rap scene artists even had an album track headlined "don't you know who I think I am"

[@unknownentity8256]

There is. Just not as big in society.

[@Nobody-Nowhere]

There is a celebrity scene, its just really sad :) Nothing more sad that finnish celebrities singing in some singing contests in TV.

[@truthaboveall7988]

100% Americans r obsessed w white collar criminals we let capitalism even infect our religion its shameful how delusional we r

[@systemsoversymptomsvisionw9806]

Really? Not even Nightwish fans?

[@GibbyPiggy]

Strongly agree there's less stress here. I immigrated from the US four years ago. They have the normal stress that comes with being human - finding or losing love, status, etc, but the constant stress for survival just doesn't exist. It resonates through society. People are more willing to help each other when they aren't rushing to a second job. They enjoy their work more when their housing and healthcare doesn't depend on it. Politics is wonderfully boring because it isn't the struggle for human rights. I'd add that Finland didn't get here by magic. Labor movements forced this compromise with capitalism, and the Finns hold their government accountable.

[@stephenlevine011]

Beautiful 😍

[@anagrammi]

We actually have everything we in Finland have because of good capitalism and free markets. And laws that help entrepreneurship Now with the leftist coverment and modern monetary theory we are running out of money. More laws that give penalty from entrepreneurship or if you got any talents and skills that make you better individual. Finn

[@4nlimited3dition_4n3d]

​@@anagrammi It's a balance of both. USA leans more in the capitalist individualist direction.

[@DrunkRubberDuck]

This is pretty much an accurate and correct observation. I would myself, if I would, or could, walk in Bernie's shoes, I would have emphasized the income inequality - which is almost as bad as it is in USA - with many differentials of course, but it should be the main topic along with the alarming rate of far-right populism support.

[@morganlafey2455]

@@anagrammi Oh fuck off. Right wing is undermining welfare state and questioning whether we can afford it while Finland is richer than it has ever been. And this so called "socialist" government, under huge pressure from right wing opposition and one difficult "centrist" party, gave huge subsidies to enterprises, many of which were well off during corona. Not very free market if you ask me. Right wing parties want tax reliefs for the rich even if it means getting more debt and at the same time complain about more debt.

[@annesmith9642]

This interview is not about comparing Finland to US and thinking one is better. It is about IDEAS that any country can adopt and use to improve their citizens' well-being. Clearly, we can improve in many areas.

[@pekkajarvinen69]

Exactly. Some of our stuff are just modified from yours

[@66hss]

But usually it comes as a package, which contains both strawberries and some lemons as well. You can't pick just the strawberries.... (lemons being the taxes, less individual freedom, the national wages programmes for professions etc.)

[@moya9450]

@@66hss You mean Finland has less individual Freedom? If so, I should say, you are wrong. Europe's north countries have another level of freedom. If it is not more than US surely it's not less.

[@mikitz]

The fact is that every society gets the government they deserve. For instance, if people don't care about self-governance, they get autocracy.

[@tobytopaz921]

Can you imagine, As a Finnish Person you would go and have to put out a FUND ME PAGE.. LOL UNTHINKABLE... AS a German , unthinkable , to beg .... shame on america...

[@daniellarson3068]

For many years - Bernie has been like the voice crying in the wilderness, delivering truth. His voice has been largely silenced by those with money.

[@namtrof01]

But doesn’t Bernie have money ? Or is he donating his share to get Americans healthcare?

[@CassieAngelica]

@@namtrof01 yeah! He also uses planes to fly around the country and dares to call himself a socialist! How sad! I no longer want Americans to have universal healthcare.

[@jonKowalski3210]

@@namtrof01 he's definitely much wealthier than the average American, but his wealth doesn't compare to his peers, let alone the capitalist class that controls them

[@daniellarson3068]

@@namtrof01 No. Bernie Sanders net worth is approximately 3 million dollars. For a man of his long service to the American people, this is not a lot. Those politicians who have sold out to the moneyed interests have a great deal more. After all, we do live in the second gilded age.

[@namtrof01]

@@daniellarson3068 what an outrage a politician worth more than 500 k meanwhile our veterans are on the streets

[@alexh1701]

I feel like we don’t hear enough about Finland’s amabassador back here in Finland. He is representing the finnish values very well

[@Chris-mf1rm]

It’s a sign he’s doing his job properly if you don’t hear about him. Quietly going about his business.

[@dannywindham3295]

Finland is an example of how a civilized society is organized thank you Bernie

[@volkor9883]

Have to disagree, this shithole is a sinking ship. We have corrupt liars in office here too. They lie and deceive to further their so called ”careers” while our people suffer from a big ineffective state that keeps raising taxes. Finland is the last place the US should look to for advice.

[@dannywindham3295]

@@volkor9883 well you're obviously crazy but you know what the hell

[@laurivaltteri5763]

finland is a full sellout. Finland's soul is comparable to Cardi B's

[@markanthony3275]

Why did the entire cabinet of the previous gov't resign? Because they all knew that their lavish social benefits was bankrupting the country. They knew they had to start making cuts, like Sweden is going to do, but they disagreed where to start...so they all resigned. Someone should tell Bernie.

[@dannywindham3295]

@@markanthony3275 when you say bankrupting the country what do you mean

[@wardeni9603]

Some other things I'd add as a Finn: -The state pays people to have kids. For every child a family or parent has, the state itself basically pays a little bit of child support. The amount also goes up with every subsequent child, so that for one kid it's ~95$ per month, but for 5 kids it's ~680$ per month. Also due to the equality of parent benefits, in Finland it's actually common for fathers to spend more time with the kids than the mothers. -After comprehensive school (ages 7-15) you don't only have Vocational Schools, rather you get a choice between going to a Vocational School or a Gymnasium, although you can also study in lines that have courses in both. And what a Gymnasium is, it's basically a type of information-focused school that directly prepares you for the university level through a much more detailed and in-depth education in every area from psychology and philosophy to chemistry and maths to world history and biology and everything in between. -Finland also operates with a "home first" -policy, or to clarify, the state will find you an apartment if you have none. So there are almost no homeless people. The amount of people without a roof over their heads is only 500-600 in the entire country. -Going to the hospital is cheap. If you go to have a check up it's like 20 bucks. If you get injured and have to spend a lot of time at the hospital, it won't financially destroy you. In fact, for a normal person, it'll barely dent your bank account. If you have insurance, it gets covered completely.

[@celinehary3222]

Love, Peace, and Compassion. Love thy neighbor as you love thyself. It's not really hard. It's just a matter of choosing to do what's right.

[@erkkiboy]

Lest not forget also the excellent adult education if retraining for new occupation is needed.

[@Ruinwyn]

I would add that you can combine Vocation school and Gymnasium. That has become increasingly common. You need Gymnasium to go to an university, so many combine the two, so they can later continue their studies at university level later if so inclined.

[@kataratify]

All of the many many reasons why one day I really, really, really want to move to Finland. Nevermind the fact that your country is just gorgeous. I am trying to learn Finnish but it is not easy!

[@akilatvamaki4038]

@@kataratify if you want to learn a language to be able to live in Finland comfortably, I could recommend Swedish, which is also an official language in the country. Of course not quite as cool, but for sure easier to learn. But most importantly, you are welcome as you are, we speak english quite well too :)

[@dkulster09]

Finland leads the list of countries with 53.2 heavy metal bands per 100,000 residents.

[@viso93x]

thats probably not even true that heres any more than in other countries. Those are just some teen age carage bands counted in.

[@formatique_arschloch]

@@viso93x You think in all other countries only world class bands are counted? It' a well known fact that the Nordics in general are on the top of the list.

[@Harold075]

of course that happiness

[@viso93x]

@@formatique_arschloch but has anyone ever done count for the other countries. Im from finland and i like some metal but finnish metal is sh,,, welll not my taste at all. American metal scene is far better

[@NLTops]

As someone from the Netherlands: The US could learn a LOT from Finland. Their solutions to societal issues are very out-of-the-box, but they are insanely well-considered. In their justice system (particularly rehabilitation), in fighting homelessness, in social benefits for parenthood, healthcare, education and unemployment. Their policies are all centered on helping people get out of a negative spiral. Doesn't always work, but it sure helps make the Fins one of the happiest people on the planet.

[@duhni4551]

Danes have really great unemployment policies, at least i think so as a Finn. Our unemployement policies seem to lag behind and are self conflicting and ineffective at large compared.

[@Minastir1]

Yeah, and as someone from Finland, both Finland and US could learn about city planning from Netherlands. We all have our strong suits.

[@NLTops]

@@Minastir1 Haha, we have so little space that we HAVE TO use it efficiently! I wonder if Scandinavia is so warm-hearted because of the harsh cold weather.

[@duhni4551]

@@Minastir1 Yeah. Then again in the defense of rest of the world, them Hollanders have sea that is about to eat them, they have to be stellar engineers to stay afloat, literally =)

[@duhni4551]

@@NLTops Nah, that is combination of alcohol and sauna / bastu =)

[@MrSpt67]

My grandfather came from Finland, however I was born in the United States. I’m proud of Finland’s politics and stance on world peace. Such an amazing country 😀

[@jaska05]

Stance on world peace? We are delivering weapons to Ukrainian US backed fascist regime at the moment, so there is our stance on peace. And that's just a one thing our lunatic "peace loving leaders" do to bring us closer to WW3.

[@meomarte]

I don´t mean to diminish your pride, but as a small country we just cannot afford to let the urine rise to our heads, so to speak. Internationally stability is what will benefit most. Bigger countries often tend to prioritise their self interest with power, and be less flexible to consider common good. Smaller countries have to start from the common good and try to benefit from mostly that. Ergo, should all countries be small? ;)

[@JiihaaS]

@@meomarte translation: "let urine rise to one's head" = getting overly proud and losing sense of humility.

[@meomarte]

@@JiihaaS Thank you. I was thinking about "pisshead" and didn´t realise it meant a drunkard, with no mention of arrogance. Just assumed it would be about the same, from the same root.

[@finnicpatriot6399]

@@jaska05 Good. Death to Russia. Freedom to Finno-Ugric peoples.

[@raadden]

After talking to and seeing many americans talk about the nordic countries it always comes down to "But high taxes!!" Which is really not true. If you add in all the things an average american family with kids are FORCED to spend every month (schools, insurances etc) American citizens pay roughly the same amount. And that is a healthy family. If one or more gets sick and requires medicine you are way above the average nordic tax amount. Edit: And remember, this means everyone gets free healthcare and education.

[@londop.a.3048]

I am from Finland and I have two children: The birth of a child cost less than a hundred. They had free school (children -18years everything free example school meals). The education is also high quality. Both children had orthodontic treatment (value total $20 000), cost nothing to me. Both my children got into college (value about $200 000), no need to pay anything except books and food. I was in hospital for surgery (value about $10 000), cost less than a hotel night. If I ever get cancer, there's no need to sell the house because of the bills. I prefer to pay a little more taxes.

[@Tespri]

Finland doesn't have free healthcare. You still need to pay. Plus it's poor quality, you end up dead before you get real treatment.

[@londop.a.3048]

@@Tespri I cannot share your experience, if you have to pay a few 10 euros, then it's almost free. I was operated last week by 1 doctor and assisted by 3 nurses and the equipment was expensive and the operation was preventive research (before i need treatment), everything was fine. I was sent by the workplace doctor and everything went quite smoothly.

[@Tespri]

@@londop.a.3048 There is no such thing as almost free. If you go to private clinic in Finland you will notice that the cost is about the same. The reason why things are more expensive in USA is because they have over regulated their healthcare system.

[@celinehary3222]

@@Tespri Over regulated? Delusional, YES?

[@geehp2692]

I'm from Finland and I love my country. I hope the best for American brothers and sisters. Thank you, Bernie!

[@metalzonemt-2]

@@johnl5316 Cool story, kiddo.

[@MikkoVille]

I'm also from Finland and I love my country, but I don't love the ridiculous progressive tax. I don't have kids, I'm not getting kids, I don't watch YLE.. yet I pay taxes for all of those, so people can have kids not don't have to work for several years (having two or three kids in a row). Also the school system is now officially ruined. Good bye happiest country in the world. I'm outta here.

[@SuomenPaska]

@@MikkoVille Progressive tax means you get progressively taxed more based on income. Also that's how taxation generally works. You pay taxes for the common services of the society. Commonly you won't use _every single_ service that has been funded by taxes. But people still require them. You went to school and likely atleast at some point in your life visited a doctor, had a health inspection, dental care etc. In my opinion it's silly to think that your tax money should only go towards services you personally benefit from.

[@findood8491]

I doubt you are from Finland if you love Finland. You can argue, sure, if it's best available option, but to love? No, Finland is a corrupt tyrannical shithole.

[@MikkoVille]

@@findood8491 You can love the nature and the old culture. You don't have to love the current culture.

[@MattinLapland]

I’m very grateful Finland is my home. It gave me the chance to live a real life for the first time. I was able to buy a house, have a family and survive without massive debts and stress. I could not do that in the UK… I lived in poverty with high rents and often not able to afford heating in my house. My house was 5.c in winter as my landlord did nothing to help reduce the cost of old expensive electric heating. All he did was put up the rent. If you were unlucky enough to get made redundant you got £65 a week to live on and then you were punished because you had a spare bedroom. Basically life was depressing there, everything was against you. There are better ways to run countries as Finland has shown 🇫🇮

[@AlexdaCunha]

I lived in Finland 11 years and my experience is exactly what Finnish ambassador has described... Exactly everything to the smallest detail.

[@martinbjorklund2003]

I believe you, you even started leaving out "the" for "the Finnish ambassador" xD Which is really common for Finns speaking english

[@phuckphase5672]

There are plenty of people WITHOUT help from the social services. Myself am a homless person without possibility of getting an APPARTMENT,AND its now the third winter for me surviving the elements. Ymmärrät varmaan että kansainvälinen media ei edusta kaikkien kansalaisten totuutta. Have good day

[@AlexdaCunha]

​@@phuckphase5672 sounds wierd... If you are Finnish citizen you have support for rent and a basic income, health insurance, etc... During my time in Finland never saw anyone living in the streets. I don't need to read from the media. I was there.

[@phuckphase5672]

@@AlexdaCunha yes you get support ONCE you get appartment, but getting an appartment is the problem for many the prices are too high. And homless finn does not look like your avarege street bum NOW A DAYS. FLEE MARKETS,AMD CLOTHING DONATIONS EXIST YOU KNOW? 🤣 you should have gone outside of your comfort zone and went to Forssa( most dangerous place in finlamd) youd get rob,stabd etc. Just for being in the wrong place! Finland made an effort to clean up cities by putting all the "kylä hullut"(village crazies) in same parts of town so you find them 20 30 km away in the middle of the forrest where MOST of finnish population lives. We dont all live in helsinki you know? People die becouse theyre snowd in becouse people live so remotely from echother usually

[@alberttumgoev]

@@phuckphase5672 You're capping. There are no homeless people in Finland, there are approximately 4000 people classified as "homeless", and they are provided with a special public housing, unless you're are the minority who dig a tunnel from another country, let's say from Russia, and came here as an unregistered "ghost". I'm just really sceptical of your comment, may you comment something, mikä ei kuulostais iha kopioidult tekstilt google kääntäjäst ja jossa olisi edes hiema jotai slangia tai murretta mistä lie oletkaan.

[@hansfyhrqvist7734]

Our ambassador Mikko Hautala was spot on telling the factors why we Finns think that Finland is the best country in the world! 🤗 And Bernie Sanders is one of the most sensible and informed politician in the US.

[@geokola]

One Hedge Funds Manager in America without college education, bought the monopoly of a life-saving drug and jerk up the price by 5000%. He became an instant multi millionaire. That's America for you

[@ssc00p]

In Finland, that kind of artificial price raise would've been made straight up illegal by a law change...

[@Aquelll]

​@@ssc00p We do not need to make it illegal because it already is. 🤷‍♂ Remember that the patent of insulin was sold for a nominal fee of $1 to the University of Toronto who licensed it royalty-free to pharmaceutical companies for the good of humanity. Just as only one example that shit has not turned out as expected in the US I think...

[@kamilebrahimoff3589]

Capitalism at its core

[@stephaniecruvant9130]

These are FACTS! Americans need to pay attention to what works to create & maintain a stable society. When reduced to simple policies, this is a-priori "logic" not "politics". Much of American politics seems to be based on false premises & false logic. Thank you, Senator Sanders!

[@barbarasmith6005]

U. S. policies are based on Koch Industries logic.

[@amadeuz8161]

The sad thing is that we are moving towards the American system and the gap between rich and poor grows. Rents have gone crazy since our lovely kokoomus let the rents loose(some have to pay 60% of their salary as rent just for living close to work, our government have to give living cost aid to people with full time 40h jobs and its all because the easiest way to pay out some dividend to shareholders is to raise the rent), living costs gone up(not the normal people wages or the amount the base product producers get, the middle men just take more because their share is % and not an amount), hospital costs going up while they are tearing down the public services and increasing private(when I was a kid we paid like 30 euros a year and even if you paid the one time fee of 12 euros 3 times you didn't need to pay the rest of the year, now it costs me 40 Euros per visit even if they are forcing me to visit em to renew my recipe and they havent found out anything new in the last 4 years).... Yes this is not a 100% accurate description of the situation but we are moving towards greed before a united people that shares the burden. If we would still share the burden then they would have forced those with more to carry more of the current energy price chaos but instead it was done by luck. Those with old 5cents per kwh keeps em no matter how much they use and the ones unlucky to have their contract end can have to pay 30+cents per kwh. To get any help you need either to be below "accepted living costs" + 500 or be a big energy spender(you get 60% paid of everything that exceeds 400 euros, like a poor bstard cant afford that 400 and a rich one probably already has his her 200k euro backup system). My point was not to complain just that the greed is here too so its not that easy to convert back from greed when even a somewhat working system moves towards greed and selfishness more and more every year. We still have our safety net but our debt grows every year too so lets see how long it lasts because every time kokoomus gets into power it gets worse and we have our "shouting political groups" that takes voters from those fighting for the people by just throwing bs out that someone less interested in politics will believe in. Even if kokoomus is driving us towards and american system, they are also needed in our current world just that everything needs a balance and back in the day they made many believe they belong to the upper winning class... So I fear we can't soon fix it and we are another america with people in the streets just because they got an injury...

[@Tespri]

You would hate to live in Finland. Lower taxes and less regulations than in USA.

[@kellihorton1142]

Because you're all white LoL

[@UpRisingDown]

@@amadeuz8161 kinda same in sweden. its getting worse. so where did all that needed money go that we used to have? well to those rich. and it stays there.

[@jeanine1410]

Thank you Bernie for sharing this interview.

[@kamilebrahimoff3589]

yes

[@Dfgzx12xyw]

Absolutely! Thank you Bernie!!!

[@ullasofia9432]

Greetings from Finland. I constantly follow the politics of other countries and especially the USA. Of the foreign politicians, Bernie, you most resemble an ordinary Finnish politician. We Finns feel that a large number of politicians really try to do things for the good of the people. Great respect for you and your work !

[@LRRPFco52]

How many Finnish MPs have multiple mansions, net worths in the millions, stole electricity from their neighbors with illegal extension cords into a root cellar, then got elected as mayor out in Pohjanmaa, before running for Parliament? He’s nothing like any MPs in Finland. He puts on the appearance of being for the common people, but it’s really all a scam to enrich him and his wife on the taxpayer’s dime.

[@kamilebrahimoff3589]

well said

[@you6382tube]

Thank you, Ulla --- many of us agree!

[@Tespri]

How he resembles? He is corrupted guy who sells votes and lies to his voting base?

[@ullasofia9432]

@@Tespri where , when and how he sell votes?

[@Maysti87]

giving birth in USA: 10 000 - 20 000 dollars giving birth in Finland: 60 euros Finland also has lowest mortality rates at birth.

[@annamedvedeva2296]

Well, not 60 euros, but rather 100-120, but that does not break your argument 😁

[@mary-janereallynotsarah684]

Plus u get that lovely maternity package. I had my baby brush for years and used it on my pet. It's still sent to every mother right?

[@annamedvedeva2296]

Oh, yes 😊 Consider also a cost of ambulance ride - 9 euros (yes, for any small problem they would recommend to use a taxi, but when you really need it, this price is such a stress relief).

[@mary-janereallynotsarah684]

@@annamedvedeva2296 they no longer send out ambulances for any old thing which is inconvenient for someone with a mental illness. I once had my mom call a non emergency ambulance for me and they treated me like crap because I wasn't "physically disabled". Only I needed to get to the clinic through which u get to the psych ward and I had a panic attack in the ambulance. It was cold and rainy and the walk to the clinic was really too long and I haveca phobia of taxis. I was stuck in a university sitting inside because it was too cold outside. It sucked they couldn't treat me with more dignity. I have invisible disabilities and it's hard to justify in words why I need an ambulance not a taxi.

[@annamedvedeva2296]

Oh, yeah, that so unprofessional, in these aspects Finland has a long way to go. So sorry this happened to you.

[@derkarhu5079]

Another thing that i believe adds to the "happiness" in Finland, Denmark, et al, is that people have realizable expectations and ambitions in life, and have not been so fully co-opted into "rhe American dream", which is a dream of being able to have *everything*, and being able to achieve *anything*, neither expectation having any connection to the reality of life in the USA. People in Finland are more generally 'satisfied', and trusting that the people around them are not "armed and dangerous", that the police and justice system have some level of fairness...they are also much, much better-educated than the average in the USA, have a much broader "world view", and are not convinced by propaganda that they are "the greatest country on earth"... knowing, and believing, that there is room for improvement, but that life treats you reasonably, leads to happier and more relaxed people!

[@ralterjegoutube]

The Ambassador is absolutely right, Finns don’t laugh all the time, who does, but there is a belief that you are taken care of in a time of need. Then you can think of other things like living life.

[@fortuna7469]

Keep up the fantastic work, Bernie! All the best to you and all Americans from Finland!

[@jeffreyhanc1711]

Right back at you, Finland. If only we had more uncorrupted politicians like Bernie and could implement sensible social services like you have. If only…

[@johnl5316]

Most of the US population sees him as an old fool, who has never worked himself except for writing pamphlets and getting elected to public office by college students who are a huge part of Vermont's voters. We do know that he adores the dictatorial regime in Venezuela and praises the people there standing in line to get necessities. He also praise the dictatorship in Cuba that put gay people in concentration camps.

[@johnl5316]

he has not done anything except talk. There has been no work

[@Tespri]

@@jeffreyhanc1711 Rofl Bernie is literally most corrupted politician in USA. Guy has been caught on selling votes and lying to his voters.

[@jeffreyhanc1711]

@@Tespri really? How upsetting. Wasn’t aware of this. Would you happen to have a source of this (beyond One America News or some such lunatic reactionary propagandist outlet)? Or is this just the latest talking point from your favorite basement Q site…?

[@stephenlevine011]

What a beautiful interview. And beautiful society Finland has! Thank you Bernie Sanders for arranging this 100 percent newsworthy interview. Should be front page mainstream news in America!

[@Pretermit_Sound]

My grandma was born on the ship, on the journey over from Pori, Finland, and I still have some distant relatives there. If she were still alive, I can’t help but think she’d seriously consider emigrating back there. I know I’ve been seriously looking into it, but I do love the US so. As long as we have a system even somewhat resembling democracy, even if it’s a flawed one, I will stay to do my best to protect and improve it. I am proud to be of Finnish descent though ☺️✌🏻🇺🇸 ✌🏻🇫🇮

[@MrSpt67]

I feel the same way you do about my Finish heritage and Finland itself

[@buak]

Greetings from Pori, Finland! This small town would probably be unrecognizable now a days to your granny.

[@Pretermit_Sound]

@@buak yes, it’s population is around 100,000 now isn’t it? Finnish independence hadn’t been secured yet when she was born (1914), but she was always a proud Finn 😊🇫🇮🇺🇸

[@buak]

@@Pretermit_Sound Yeah, Finland was under Russian rule back then. The independence declaration came 3 years after she was born. In Pori the population is about 80k now. It's expected to rise slowly over time because Pori houses a few higher education schools

[@HenrikoMagnifico]

As a Swede I fully agree with what they're saying and any other political system sounds completely insane to me

[@bertillassenius8604]

As a Finn I think that a very imporant brick for the "happiness" is that we realize that happiness can't be measured in money. What more can you expect of a great life than having a sauna by a lake or the seaside, a rowlng boat for fishing and good rye breda?😉

[@iwantabetterworld2773]

Ah, yes...the good, simple life! I wish we had a life like that...

[@MaggaraMarine]

I think an important point is that while happiness isn't measured in money, you still need enough money to afford all of the basic needs. And people get really anxious when they are struggling financially. In Finland, you have less stress because of cheap healthcare and education, paid sick leave and parental leave, and unemployment benefits.

[@mary-janereallynotsarah684]

Bertil all that costs money. Only rich people in Finland can afford lakeside houses etc. People in the city can live comfortably but if u want the "vacation" experience of lakes and big saunas and stuff u gotta move north.

[@lumihanki5631]

Well that's a very good imagination you have there. Obviously money as itself doesn't make you happy but it gets you where you can just let it go and forget about it....

[@msaar1303]

@@mary-janereallynotsarah684 incorrect, there is 508 289 summer cottages in Finland (year 2020), there is 5,5 million citizens.. No, there is no 500 000 millionaires in Finland 🤣 actually, less than 50 000, someone has calculated. Apparently tax authorities... 😂

[@tuplat5107]

He hit the nail on the head with why we are the happiest country in the world. We feel kinship to our fellow Finns, so we trust in each other and our governing bodies even if we disagree with their actions. As we say in Finland "blood is thicker than water"

[@fatherson5907]

And you prohibit immigrants from moving to your country because you’re total racists.

[@sweetpea3153]

My cousins, visiting from Finland (back in the 1970's), knew far more about how our government worked then we were taught in school. After working in the school system myself, not much has changed.

[@Tespri]

Our schools doesn't teach us system in USA. He knew more than you because he studied out of interest.

[@LRRPFco52]

@@Tespri Nailed it. I would also argue that Finns probably learned a corrupted idea about how the US works back then as well. My mom is from Finland, and I have lived there many times since 1979. I love Finland, but making comparisons between Finland and the US is about as logical as comparing gorillas with butterflies.

[@leiflillandt1488]

@@LRRPFco52 You have to compare same villages in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan, with some villages in Finland. Then you can compare towns with 50,000 people and cities with 250,000 people, and in Finland there are no bigger region except the capital region... Then I think you at least will find the same problems nowadays - the small villages are dying... Sadly

[@LRRPFco52]

@@leiflillandt1488 I've traveled to and lived in more regions of Finland than most Finns I know, including my very well-traveled Finnish mom, so I know what you're talking about first-hand. Main reasons why small towns are dropping in population are because of modernization in agricultural technologies, and infertility. Machines and efficient harvesting systems reduce demand for large farming families, whose children have collapsed to the cities. Parliamentarians in Helsinki thought they could solve this with immigration, bringing in people who end up drawing from services more than they contribute. This exacerbates the problem, rather than solving it.

[@pekkavaisanen5512]

Well Finnish schools do have mandatory social studies, where we learn for examble how laws are enacted in a parliamentary democracy. What things belong under municipality, and what under state, and what role EU has. The differences in systems in USA and Finland are relatively small, so it's easy to grasp.

[@RyoHazuki224]

I can never understand the hubris of America, the ego that we have, the idea that "WE ARE NUMBER ONE!" and we think whatever we do we do it best because its the American Way and by that very virtue, it HAS to be the best. We need to do away with that mindset. Realize that we have a lot of great things about this country, no doubt. But also realize that there are OTHER countries that tackle certain aspects of life in much, much better ways. Why we cannot learn from the examples of other countries is beyond me.

[@iivaridark6850]

Maybe it depends on the size - for example if one looks at Russia, they also think they are the best and number one. What about China? But we, the Finns are a small nation and have been under control for so long time that we instinctively think first "What might our friends in Russia think about this?" And before, while we were under the Swedish, we thought accordingly. I think we have a weak national self- esteem. There has been a book about it, a psychiatrist and writer Martti Siirala has written about it in his book which may not be available in English - but its name as translated into English is "Deep in the tracks: the journey of national self-esteem". So, learn Finnish and find great ideas... 😁 Well, I quote one example from wikipedia: "Siirala distinguishes two major factors in this collective pathology. The first is the delusional possession of reality. By that Siirala means an attitude where one's own assumptions are considered the only one, a position where things are already known - so there seems to be no real need to orient towards the subject. Thus for Siirala 'a central feature of the delusions of the healthy seems to be the unconscious assumption that they possess reality, the criteria of what is worth notice' "

[@shanehart7391]

So much love, respect, and admiration for Finland! 🇫🇮

[@jessica3676]

Hello 👋

[@ibrachaka8727]

And yet we could do so much better. It makes me sad that this is the happiest nation in the world.

[@jessica3676]

@@ibrachaka8727 hello baby

[@keslot]

Hello from another happy and wonderful country and live in. Norway😊🇳🇴

[@sebastiandenenfeld9886]

I just living temporarely in Finland and i love this country so much ,because of no stress on the everyday life.

[@Gnomereginam]

If I didn't live in Finland I'd be homeless. Here I have food and an apartment of my own, people are helping me and I have time to heal and work towards becoming someone useful to the world.

[@m8hackr60]

GDP per capita in Finland is $16K less at $49K, compared to the United States. So you tell me why the US could not do the same thing here (and even more) if not for the wealth inequality and the lack of taxes from those few individuals.

[@alinaitzal1173]

but but but but but Socialists!!!

[@m8hackr60]

@@alinaitzal1173 Exactly! While taking "social handouts" locally, praising themselves and claiming sole responsibility.

[@finnicpatriot6399]

Because Finland is a fundamentally different animal.

[@WinginWolf]

@@finnicpatriot6399 it certainly is. There has to be a better system for the US than what we have now however.

[@kimberlychodur3508]

Because we have too many people that would say things like, why should I pay for someone else’s healthcare, I shouldn’t have to pay for someone else’s kid to go to college, those minimum wage jobs are just for high schoolers and college students. Individualism and only caring for yourself and family is taught at such a young age in this country, individualism isn’t a bad thing too much of it can be though, if everyone’s kid could go to college or trade school regardless of income, if everyone had universal healthcare and paid sick leave and paid vacation, people would see the benefits more. But no in this country we put impossible income caps on our social programs, where you have to have a below poverty income to qualify for help.

[@TeaParty1773]

Right here with you bernie, thank you Finland for being awesome, slava ukraina, BBB

[@brankobelfranin8815]

Bad Blue Boys?

[@TeaParty1773]

Build Back Better

[@brankobelfranin8815]

@@TeaParty1773 👍

[@annettepayne822]

I’m Aussie and Bernie is my hero. I wish we had more of him.

[@lottat6420]

I love Bernie! ❤ What an impressive politician you have! We have about the same system as Finland. It works very well. Why should I pay taxes unless it's for the good of us all? Greetings from Sweden. 🇸🇪🇸🇪

[@jannekokkonen793]

Universal conscription system is also one of the building blocks of Finnish system compared to most other countries. CEOs' and ministers' sons go to same units and barracks as everyone else.

[@msaar1303]

Yep same class rooms, same universities, same army experience.. there is differneces yes, but not so big as is in UK or US.

[@LRRPFco52]

@@msaar1303 US is an all-volunteer force, no conscription. Largest, most powerful military in the world. Finnish main combat power was developed in the US, namely F/A-18 hornets that Finnish Air Force uses.

[@finnicpatriot6399]

@@LRRPFco52 Lol Lmao

[@msaar1303]

@@LRRPFco52 So did you even understood what Janne is talking about, the building block we are talkin about is the equality in Finland. Janne is referring to conscription because where else you sleep in the same barracks and have exaclty the same conscripts experience, no matter of your background. There they are, conscripts from all possible backgrounds, and that is totally different experience from US or UK. Let´s put in this way, ALL modern time Finnish (male) presidents and PM´s has been conscripts. And sorry, I am still laughing at "main combat power"... Ok, so you mean that before 1996 Finland has no combat power whatsoever?😂😂🤣 And yes, you can sleep peacfylly, ALL knows that US has largest, most powerful military in the world, and your daddy wins my dad.. 😉

[@LRRPFco52]

@@msaar1303 Anyone who joins the US military will be subject to the UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice). For example, when Vice President Joe Biden's son Hunter joined the Navy Reserves as an officer, he pissed hot for cocaine on a urinalysis and was kicked out. When George W. Bush flew F-102s in the Texas Air National Guard and asked if he could deploy to Vietnam, they denied him because he didn't have enough flight hours in the F-102. They were only sending guys with 500+ hours, mostly guys with 1000hrs, and F-102s were being pulled out anyway. One exception I can think of is John McCain. He crashed so many aircraft, he should have been banned from pilot status, but his dad and grandpa were both admirals. When I mention the bulk of Finnish combat power, I'm talking about a unique set of weapons the US supplied to Finland even before we sold them to the UK. Those particular weapons are only employed with the F/A-18C. They have deep strike capability within Russia, with very large warheads (JASSM). Finland now has the ability to strike the naval yards at Murmansk, Primorsky, air bases in Saint Petersburg military district, and deeper targets in Russia, without even flying near the border. Prior to this, with the MiG-21, Saab Draken, and even original F-18C configuration, this capability was unimaginable to FiAF. The main combat power of FDF at the time was artillery and disbursed Infantry units who would lose ground slowly to Russia as the strategic plan, in a guerilla-like campaign on our own soil.

[@iamlalapalooza]

wow this is a much needed video. I hope everyone in America watches this. I didn't know about it and just happened across it. I am going to share it with everyone i know. thank you.

[@Lalaxbo]

Great job Bernie 🙌🏻👏🏻for the interview. I am a Finn and i am proud of my country 🇫🇮. This interview was interesting and educational 🙂

[@BridgeTROLL777]

I'll add couple things as a finn.. We also have strong labor rights for example, 2 to 2.5 paid vacation days per month which can be used in spring/summer, high union participation rate and binding collective bargaining (even if you arent in union you must be paid union wages). Also employee cannot be fired after probationary period (6 months) without a good cause and if employee is fired due to for instance economic reasons then the firm cannot by law replace the person by hiring someone else to do the same job.

[@publicutility]

In the us OF A, grandma gets arrested, taken to jail, threatened with prison. For feeding the epidemic of hungry, homeless people. GTFOOH Police make $$$$ in the us, with high school participation certificate. Teachers pay is crap, 4 year plus collage education Cops prerequisites, sadistic, incompetent, corrupt, pathological liar, bigot!!!!

[@sasoikot4825]

The underlying principle of the Finnish society is ‘ one for all, all for one’. Humbleness is a cultural norm that can be seen in every aspects of the Finnish culture.

[@luckystroke126]

For some reason i read, "Homelessness is a cultural norm that can be seen in every aspects of the Finnish culture." left me scraching my head 😄

[@zekevarg3043]

USA, listen to Bernie!

[@kellihorton1142]

So we should kick out all minorities?

[@zekevarg3043]

@@kellihorton1142 What?

[@LRRPFco52]

No. He’s a massive fraud and always has been. Study his life more. He’s an opportunist who portrays himself as a Marxist, while profiting with millions, multiple real estate investments, and a cushioned lifestyle of the elite. Total sham

[@zekevarg3043]

@@LRRPFco52 You don't have a clue!

[@godshammer1087]

I hope so.

[@ghjklgh]

I live in finland and i completely agree with the opening statement. Finns are not happy but they know that if something goes wrong they will get support from the state. And that gives a certain peace of mind.

[@venusvirgofly]

my late husband and I did all the right things but his long terminal illness left me with nothing. I am not above starting over with nothing but I will now never be able to retire in 10 years. I will never be able to own a home again. I have nothing to hand down to my kids. Medicaid for all is the only solution as the middle class is strangled out of existence.

[@ssc00p]

My mother used take care of my late father (crippled from Parkinsons disease) at home for several years... with the aid of municipal heathcare making the regular house visits at least once a day (sometimes two).... AND the city paid to my mother ~1000€ /month for her "job" while being a pensioner already... all the medical machinery was free...

[@iwantabetterworld2773]

I am so sorry that you and your children had to go through such pain. I pray that you can rebuild your life and be happy again. Be sure to have your children go to college through Federal Aid when they are old enough. It will give them a chance to have a good life. God bless you and your children.

[@venusvirgofly]

@@iwantabetterworld2773 thank you. I am not unhappy but like so many, struggling unnecessarily.

[@rrosaseconda]

Thank you Senator for bringing this plain-spoken man to throw light on our condition. We U.S. citizens need to listen and learn!

[@ZorroDaddy]

What a Great Question Senator, am sure politicians will not get the hint "Happy Nation".. and why we are the most Unhappy relating it to 16% approval rate to them majority self-serving politicians, all Love to Senator Sanders.

[@JConlon96]

High degree of trust in institutions and sense of community is vital to happiness

[@vpr2528]

True. The police has been the most trusted institution for many years. Survey shows that 91% of people trust the police much or very much.

[@hextatik_sound]

Great conversation. There's so much to learn from these nordic democracies. I truly hope USA will some day try democracy.

[@tuomaspietinen1485]

Greetings from Finland! Its sometimes good to share what we have always taken for granted. We may surprise even ourselves when spoken out loud.

[@wrylife57]

Fantstic interview! Thank you both for taking the time to have this conversation.

[@theFINNISHmonster1]

It all comes down to good and free education. Education helps people to find honest and criminal free path.

[@user-un7kb7br6m]

Bernie Sanders 2024!!! We need him more than ever

[@CrazyKazy]

He's got my vote! Drop out Joe!

[@stephanieschoen4560]

If Bernie runs again, I'll volunteer to GOTV for him and US as I did his last two campaigns. Voting and donating is not Enough!!! Everyone supporter needs to contribute some time to getting him elected. WE are the ones who have to reach out to fellow citizens to educate and encourage them to join the fight for a government that works for The People by returning to a more democratic system. If we want to live in a democracy, who's responsible for making that happen?

[@joeldavis5815]

Won't happen. The DNC will rig it against him again like they did during that Iowa blackout affair back in 2020. Anyone still remember how somehow Pete Buttigieg emerged the victor in Iowa? I honestly was surprised (and hopeful) about the momentum Bernie was gaining up until that point.

[@stephanieschoen4560]

@@joeldavis5815 So you think nothing will ever change? That even if EVERY Bernie supporter had REALLY fought for him to win the Democrat Primary during either his 2016 or 2020 run, that the DNC couldnt have been beaten?

[@jonathanborg6242]

We won't give up Bernie. Until this planet becomes a cinder, we won't give up.

[@kevchard5214]

I don't think we have to Waite very long for cinder if things keep going like they are going.

[@matsfrommusic]

Being a part of a society and feel it's also working for you, is the key.

[@goranberggren5874]

I don't think Americans can understand or imagine half of the good stuff a honest society built on trust and a non corrupted government can achieve. 👋 from Finlands neighbor 🇸🇪

[@tone6410]

"Non corrupted" our government is pretty corrupted here.

[@a.d.jenkins5835]

Being from the states and living in Finland over 10 years now, it blew my mind even fathers are given paid time to be home after your child is born

[@DougGrinbergs]

4:31 municipal child care system! $30-300/mo. 5:38 $300-400K in medical school debt vs free education, loans for living expenses. Oh, the value of a robust social safety net 👍✌️

[@mochtegerndane7097]

My mothers uncle went to Finland to fight in the Winter War. When I see a film like this, I know that he - and the other Danish volunteers - did the right thing.

[@harrihauskalainen8358]

happiness is too strong a word for the state of Finnish mentality. Contentedness is perhaps a more accurate term (and as I write this the ambassador just confirmed this!!)

[@belindalindroos3085]

And now you know why I moved back to Finland.

[@user-ce6iy2nw5o]

So that you can leech on the welfrare state and other peoples work?

[@lyrigageforge3259]

Not living in US - but same intentions in few years. Will pack my husband in the luggage and head home (lol). I am a Finn, but I have heard from some people that if you marry a Finn, you will eventually end up living in Finland. So I guess that solves it for my husband (all though he is already asking, when I will do it - meaning to put him in that luggage). His son needs to grow up legally adult so he can decide on his own when to travel and where to stay from time to time. But then, yea.

[@bluesstinger1975]

Damn, someones salty that their crap country doesn't care

[@anarionelendili8961]

@@lyrigageforge3259 [Disclaimer: not a lawyer, nor an immigration expert. So this is not legal advice.] Quick note on the son: You might want to look into moving before he is an adult, as this will allow him to get a residency permit due to the parent. Once he is an adult, he is not eligible for the family residency permit, since his father only married a Finn rather than being Finnish himself (as I assume). My wife is an American and we ran into this issue with her adult daughters. They can only visit, but in order for them to move to Finland, it is a big hassle. I don't know how it would work for your husband's son, but my quick assumption is that if he is already living and studying in Finland when he turns to 18, he would have much easier time getting a residency permit, than if he tried to move in as an adult.

[@andrewyoung749]

@@anarionelendili8961 erm yeah nut turbo sexist finland gave would give that daughter 1st class/non conditional obligations exempted status. since finland operates a gender based slave force where the state(which lectures the world rather too smugly about gender equality and bodily autonomy) wouldnt any son moving to finland and getting citizenship have to accept second class conditional citizenship conditional on accepting that the state owns his body and has all autonomy over him, all whilst being lectured by the privileged/exempted female pm and female minister of defence about gender equality and womens bodily autonomy...

[@wiimooden]

8:24 Definitely one thing we can learn is how to create a stable, multi-party democracy. This is almost exclusively due to Finland's proportional representation electoral system, something which is sorely needed in this country.

[@sandybayes]

Thank you Bernie and Ambassador ! The interview will go a long way to help those who watch this interview to better understand what social democracy really means to a country and its people. Unfortunately not enough people will see this.

[@rbnootan101]

Few! It just shows how screwed over we are here. No wonder people are cracking up. This lesson needs to be learned by our politicians ASAP. 🙏👍👏👏👏

[@cynthiaescamilla2649]

Thank you for bringing us new perspectives. I really enjoyed learning about how other countries handle our toughest issues. This is important information which shows there are better ways.

[@LRRPFco52]

Finland’s 5.5 million up well above 60 degrees north latitude, with long winters and 188,000 lakes, sharing a massive border with Russia, does not even remotely face or solve our toughest issues in the US. Two totally different geographies, climates, genetics, cultures, living styles, languages, and basically every metric for how you would measure a nation or society. This is why any comparison between tiny Finland up on top of the earth, and the 3rd largest population in the world in the temperate zone with better coastlines than any other nation, connected river networks, huge mountain ranges, etc. doesn’t even make the least bit of sense.

[@pekkavaisanen5512]

Yea...? So there is no excuse in why USA could not have tax funded universal healthcare, education. It is up to politicians to make the needed regulations to make it happen. Climate does not do it. Lakes or mountains do not do it. It's those in power who need to have the will and common goal to change the regulations for the better for all. Think that every problem any American is facing would be your own problem. Fix them for you.

[@fabiotabaton314]

Finland.....the greatest country in the world...!!!!!!! Ciao

[@phuckphase5672]

Wrong the toughest issues are being neglected! Finland is NO PARADISE! So many issues like the care for elderly,mmentaly challenged... there are rapes and violence that occure in the facility's whit bad regulations. The old and bad ways of finns are "dying of" but its still here. 20 years ago there still veterans struggling from the war whit russia. Sadly many died alone whitout any help except for substance or alcohol relief. Which is not help. They fought for is but we neglected the JUST as americans neglect there veterans

[@you6382tube]

@@LRRPFco52 How does "temperate zone and coastlines, river networks, mountain ranges" have anything to do with THE WORKING PEOPLE having a decent quality of life, with less stress about the cost of healthcare and housing? And how do these land and water features figure into Bernie's ideas? If you stayed on track about the differences in public policy and the socio-economic differences - which is what this video is about --- then you'd possibly have a point that hit the mark. But you went off into the weeds...

[@CoolDrifty]

I remember watching a Norwegian crime show and a major plot point was around the people having faith in the police and the justice system to find the criminal, and the shock around what would happen if the police arrested an innocent man, and I was just astounded lol

[@jarrulevy4]

That is one thing in nordic coutries.. Police is here to help you and make you day safe.. So we can always trust if we call police we get help.. Even we self have mess😁

[@francisdec1615]

There are innocent people in Nordic jails, and there are laws against victimless crimes with severe punishments or severe consequences, like the zero tolerance on drugs in Sweden. That said, it's probably LESS innocent people in Nordic jails, that I agree on.

[@66hss]

The Finnish police uses fire arms about ten times a year. Not by every police officer but in TOTAL. In the whole country of 5,6 million people. In the 2000's the police has used deadly force in seven cases.

[@lynnpayne6262]

It makes me sad to think about all the people we loose to police killing them. Just recently a 17 year old guy was killed by a police officer while eating a hamburger in his car. Can you imagine? I have never heard of that happening in Finland.

[@andrewyoung749]

except the democrats demand that as many innocent people go to prison as possible they literally tell you that their is a ist class preferred group to be believed and a 2nsd class group to disbelieve. they disingenuously phrase this as' believe victims'. but since thats before any evidence is heard they simple mean, as the kkk used to demand, 'believe preferred group'... we saw this most famously recently with the kavanaugh hearings. they couldnt be more clear that they want innocents jailed on accusation...

[@larisal1500]

Appreciate these guest videos Bernie & all the work you continue to do for the 99%. Enjoyed the interview with the Norwegian ambassador not too long ago. These Q & As show us the stark contrast between the US & many other countries that care about human rights such as equality, equity & their citizens living the best lives they can.

[@peterpoertner7042]

You do understand that your beloved Bernie is part of the 1% that he vilifies as not paying “Their fair share” don’t you? Oh, and while you root for him to send you scraps from the table, his government supplied healthcare coverage is vastly superior than what most Americans get, and YOU are paying for it!

[@hypnoosipolku]

Good questions and well made video. Thanks. Love from Finland

[@DavidLazarus]

Excellent interview. The differences are stark indeed.

[@JackDespero]

I have lived in Finland, now I am living in the US. For anyone who may think that this is just pointing the "good side" of Finland, let me tell you that that is not the case. This is all real and how it is. I paid 75e per month for my healthcare (outrageously high, I know) and that gave me access to the universal healthcare system, in which I only had to copay a couple of euros for some medications. No bill for hospital, no bill for operations, no bill for anything else. And about the paid leave, when you are leaving the hospital, they give you a box with essentials for the baby. The box itself can be used as a craddle, in case that you do not have one available. That is the degree of care that they show. Here in the US, you are sent out early, you get a pat in the back, and a massive bill in your mail which hopefully your insurance will cover, at least partially, because otherwise you are screwed.

[@UpRisingDown]

True!

[@tyyppikyl6396]

A Finnish college student studying Bachelor of Engineering, Majoring in Industrial Management. To elaborate a little more on what the ambassador said about college fees, yes the tuition is free meaning we don't have to pay for the school's rent, teacher's salaries, etc. We also get some money from the government to pay for our rent if we don't live with some relatives for free (the government pays a maximum of 80% of your rent) additionally I get about 260€ per month from the government just because I study. About the loans, the ambassador said (Keep in mind this may differ from person to person and year to year) I get a maximum of 650€ per month (for 9 months of the year(the months we have school)) but I don't need to take the maximum amount allowed per month. Now if I was to take the entire loan out in total it would be 23 400€ for the 4 years of college I would pay approximately a 1,5% interest rate and the payments would only start to come in 2 years after graduating. Lastly, if we manage to graduate in time the government pays 40% of the final loan amount to the bank. Again like the ambassador said the loan is not mandatory but for me, I accepted the loan since I had to move on my own and didn't want to worry too much about what I can afford and if I can pay my bills and food.

[@ninjal7588]

Isn't it 900€/month for the max loan now? They raised it a few years ago. I was quite lazy with the working, and only last 2 summers I had a full time job. After graduating bachelors of engineering, I had 24k€ of loans, but because I graduated as planned(4 year degree) I got ~5k paid off the loan by the government. Btw it is not 40% of the whole loan, it is 40% of the loan that goes over 2500€, up to a maximum of 3320€-7640€ depending on the amount of study points in the degree. Still really nice "bonus" for completing the degree.

[@tyyppikyl6396]

@@ninjal7588 The maximum is 800/month if you study abroad however 650/month in Finland. It could be that you are right about the loan forgiveness. I wrote the comment half asleep so my brain might have been offline already. Regardless it doesn't make too big of a difference

[@ninjal7588]

I guess I mixed the studying money + loan to be 900€/month together, matches up 250+650=900

[@asiamies9153]

You mean 3 years (bachelor's) + 2 years (master's)

[@tyyppikyl6396]

@@asiamies9153 Nope. 4 years in a University of applied sciences.

[@Negritis]

Finland has the most metal bands per capita no wonder they are happy

[@Bleezer45]

The ambassador didn't mention but if you do take student loans from banks, if you graduate on time the social insurance institution pays off 1/3 of the debt as a graduation gift.

[@CorporalCookie]

And there is no/essentially no interest on the loan.

[@leiflillandt1488]

When I studied at the university in the 70tieth, I had the loan from the bank, and to that I/we got a small sum from the government. Then the inflation, over 10 %, payed back at least half of the loan! Let's say the loan was maybe 6000 euro after six years! And the interest was low. I don't know if the bank borrowed this money from the government, but it should have been in that way. The loan was at least guaranteed by the government, not by the parents!

[@TheAstraeuss]

Here in Canada where I live, the maternity and family leave works in much the same way as discussed in this video.

[@iwantabetterworld2773]

I have met several people from Canada. Each person was so nice, educated, and calm. I always ask them, "If you have a minute, could we talk about Healthcare?" Each one said like anything else, our healthcare isn't perfect, however, we can always go to the doctor if we need to. You may have to wait a little while to get elective surgery, but if it is an emergency you are take care of immediately. And, it is practically free. Americans are so stressed out; it's sad.

[@vlinder6329]

In the Netherlands 🇳🇱 too, so well arranged TOPPY 👨‍👩‍👧

[@markojaminki1171]

From what I have heard from my Finnish sister who lives in Canada, Canada is pretty much the sixth Nordic country

[@flashdancer42]

I dunno if it came up, but someone explained the happines index stuff pretty well; It doesn't necessarily mean that we are happy 100% of the time like big smile and all that, but that we have SO MUCH LESS things to worry about than other places. One example is like, the water in Finland is drinkable in every house and everywhere...

[@meomarte]

Yes, even the nature is mild: no major storms, floods or droughts, no dangerous predators, only one poisonous snake, no serious diseases, no earthquakes, volcanoes or sinkholes, no landslides because of mild topography. Only thing that really comes to mind is it´s slippery in the cold, but then again, snow is soft to fall on, so...

[@LRRPFco52]

I don’t accept the happiness index metric that is used, since suicide is so high in Finland, it’s cold and dark (doesn’t bother me too much, but does affect many people), the drunkenness, etc. Most overlooked positive factors are kesämöki, sauna, nature all around, quiet people, and good friends.

[@leiflillandt1488]

@@meomarte The human being is a strange creature... Why settle down where there are hurricanes, floods, volcanos, earthquakes, etc? In the future, with even more knowledge, the insurances for the buildings will not be affordable for normal people that means you can't settle down in such places.

[@joonasseppala1413]

@@LRRPFco52 You're formulating your thoughts about this issue with some outdated conceptions. Finland's, alongside with the rest of Nothern Europe, rate of suicide has dropped almost by a half in the last 20 years and is now only slightly above the the global average. US has a higher per capita rate than Finland and yet its reputation isn't that of suicidal. Much work has been made in public sector to combat the issues of mental disorders. It still could be better and we should always strive for better but the world has changed and just because some things, about any given country, are parroted on the internet, one should be weary of how poorly researched those things can be. These 'country x and its people are like this' articles and talking points are 9 times out of 10 just lazy attempts at journalism.

[@LRRPFco52]

@@joonasseppala1413 I’m formulating my thoughts based on living all over Finland and all over the US, then looking at statistical analyses. This comparison highlights how good the US actually is though, since the population of the US is 335 million, vs 5.5 million for Finland. Finland is a rounding error by US numbers, at only 1.6% of US population. Female suicide rate is the same in both countries. 2019 Stats- US Total: 14.5 Males: 22.4 Females: 6.8 Fin Total: 13.4 Males: 20.1 Females: 6.8 Standard deviation is only 1.1 between Males in both Nations. That means the rate is relatively high in Finland, and is particularly high for Europe. Is this because of healthcare, government, greens vs SDs? No, it’s because of the cold, darkness, alcoholism, social isolation-all very Finnish realities.

[@tellu5836]

Thank you Mr Sanders and our Ambassador for the interesting discussion.

[@janetpope8495]

Bernie very insightful interview. My takeaways are Finland has an individual and family approach to their population. Insuring investment in the people resulting in country stability. Second observation was limited money to politicians ensuring population voice being heard and supported. Thank you so much Bernie...prayers and love to you and your family. Please keep fighting for Americans people. You are the best!

[@TheGodsMustBeCrazy]

I thought this was an old video. Wow Bernie looks great for 81! Also thank you for this Bernie.

[@celinehary3222]

Watching the video, I was thinking that Senator Sanders looks young and healthy. God bless, Senator Sanders.

[@Daniea3]

I think he's 80. But then again, media has been saying hes 80 for the last 12 years.

[@davidpayant8684]

I love you Bernie. I remember having babies and my wife having to go back to work in a week. No real vacations since if a child got sick your vacation time went to take care of them. There are many Finns in my area (upper peninsula of Michigan) and they are wonderful people. I remember stopping at a Co-op to shop and everyone in the store was speaking Finn! Dave Payant🐝🐝

[@kimwatson8554]

Thank you both.

[@lorrainekellerw7090]

Excellent interview. Thanks for illustrating the reality of these differences

[@samikalastaja]

As a Finn it's awesome to see this video. If you (who happen to read this) have additional questions about Finland and can't find the answers from Internet, I can try to answer.

[@gringote1783]

i love bernie

[@finnophilepodcast]

I lived in Finland for 3 years and have been writing about this wonderful country for around 7 years. I think Finland really stands out because of its social policies concerning health, education and equality. They know how to maximize opportunity for all members of society and they reap the benefits maintaining relatively low income inequality. Cheers for Finland

[@koholohan3478]

Thank you Ambassador and Mr. Sanders, for sharing.

[@antoniojdelgado]

Missed the opportunity to ask, how all of that is pay. Living in Finland and after visiting a few times different parts of US, I can just say that we are paying high taxes from high salaries and we get in Finland high quality services (roads, infrastructures, medical/educational service, etc.). And in the US should learn about the taxes here, you pay in steps, the first step of your income is not taxed (so poor people don't pay taxes), then you pay a reasonable amount of taxes that let you live well with high quality, and if you are lucky to have a really high salary for the last part of your salary you pay up to 50%, and most importantly you pay and you get. I was amazed in Denver, NYC or Washington seen terrible roads and sidewalks.

[@einienj3281]

I'm happy to see Bernie being interested in our small country ❤️

[@moranmike36]

Great interview! Thanks !!!!

[@fazbell]

Thank you, Senator Sanders. So many questions were answered in this video.

[@Molotov82]

Always respect to our neighbors Finland. I'm from Sweden but not far away from finnish border... only sad I never learned finnish

[@comet-fy6pd]

thats ok, i never learned swedish either no matter how much they tried

[@tylerhackner9731]

Thank you Bernie

[@poladelarosa8399]

Thank you for this interview with the Finnish Ambassador, Senator Sanders.

[@kimk2635]

Thank you once again Bernie, you've always stood strong for what's right & I truly appreciate your commitment to all of us.

[@MsGiddy]

This charming Ambassador presents Americans with alternatives we must consider. We must tell our politicians what we WANT.