Why Don't Norwegians Immigrate to the United States?
By Thom Hartmann A...
This is from Occupy Democrats: "Dear Trump: this is why Norwegians don't immigrate to America."
The World Happiness Rank for the United States, we're number 19 - Norway, number one.
The World Human Freedom Rank: we are number 23, Norway, number 13.
The World Peace Rank: we are number 114, way down there in terms of who promotes, sustains, and participates in peace. Norway is number 14.
The World Murder Rate: we have the 9th highest murder rate in the world and there are countries that are having wars, there are countries that have been taken over by drug lords. there's al-Qaeda. We're number 9 in the world in terms of murders. Norway is number 76.
The World Gender Equality Rank: we are 45th. Keep in mind there are only 34 countries in the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development). These are the developed countries in the world and we are number 45 in the world. So not only do we miss all of the developed countries, we're in the developing country region when it comes to gender equality. Norway is second in the world. In fact, Norway requires all corporations to have 40% of their Board of Directors women minimum - it's a law.
These are just very simply the reasons why when Donald Trump says rather than having Haitians come to America, we'd like to have Norwegians come to America, the Norwegians are saying, no thanks. And it's not just Donald Trump that the Norwegians are rejecting, it's all this stuff.
GDP per Capita in the United States. This is Gross Domestic Product, this is all economic activity in the United States. This includes all the billionaires, all the big corporations, and everything. The GDP per capita in the United States is $57,500. It's not income, it's just a reflection of basically how wealthy a country is on a per capita basis. We are $57,500, Norway is at $70,800. In other words, Norway on a per person basis is wealthier than the United States.
The World Primary Education Rank: we are 53rd in the world. Again, only 34 countries in the OECD. Again, we're in the developing country status when it comes to education: primary education: K through 12. Norway's number 21.
Guaranteed Full Health Care? In the United States, no. In Norway, yes.
National Unemployment Rate: both countries 4.1%. But we calculate ours differently than Norway does. We don't count did "discouraged" workers. So if you live in an area - say in Appalachia or in many of the inner cities in this country where there just simply aren't any jobs - and you've been out of work for more than a year, we don't even count you any more as unemployed. If we did our actual unemployment, right now it would be between eight and nine percent. Norway it's 4.1%.
National Annual Gun Deaths: in the United States it's around 16,000 a year people die from guns. In Norway, 10 or so.
The National Poverty Rate: in the United States 16%, in Norway it's 10%.
And our life expectancy is 78.7 years, in Norway it's 82.1 years.
This might give you some clue as to why Norwegians aren't coming to the United States.
There's a great article over at slate.com by Liza Mundy: Why Don't Norwegians Immigrate to the U.S.? And they say "Just look at life for working parents."
Norway now...
"has higher life expectancy at birth than the U.S., lower rates of infant mortality, low unemployment, and access to the European Union's labor market. It also ranks first in prosperity and political and press freedom—much higher than the United States."
Norway has one of the world's most generous paid leave plans for new parents, who, together, are entitled to roughly a year of paid leave after the birth of a child.
That's mom and dad, or mom and mom, or dad and dad, are entitled to roughly a year of paid leave after the birth of a child.
"Norway requires that a certain percentage of leave be taken by father if a family wants to qualify for the full leave period. This "daddy days" approach is backed by social science showing that men who take paternity leave are more likely to share parenting and housework, not only at birth but going forward."
"Norway also provides subsidized child care..."
Do we here in the United States? No.
"and encourages a corporate culture where afternoon meetings are scheduled with pickup times in mind."
For your kids getting out of school.
"The country has a female prime minister..."
She was just at the White House last week.
"... and a commitment to gender parity: There is a quota system in which public companies must have 40 percent board representation from both genders"
"Norway has one of the world’s highest labor participation rates for women."
In fact Norway has one of the world's highest labor participation rates for women, and it's not like in the United States where it's, "oh, I've got to do this because my husband can't make enough money to support the family". No, it's people finding fulfillment in the workplace doing what they love - becoming doctors and engineers and scientists.
A couple of months ago Louise and I were in Norway in Svalbard where the Norwegian have an Institute that measures methane gas. We're working on a documentary on global climate change and we were interviewing all these scientists. I would say at least half and maybe even two-thirds of the scientists that we interviewed, these are real hardcore scientists, people who were experts on biology, the ones who were studying methantrophic and methanogenic bacteria, geologists who are studying formations that are hostile or friendly to the formation of methane, all these kind of things. I would say more than half of them were women. That's Norway.
The United States on the other hand offers no universal child care, no universal early education, no universal right to health care. By the way, do you know the main countries that provide no paid leave to parents? Suriname and Papua New Guinea. In the United States we are literally the only wealthy country in the world that does not offer that that simple human benefit of paid leave for workers who become parents of children.
And is it any wonder, then, that people are waiting until their 30s to have kids?
And then this headline from Agence France Presse published in The Guardian, just the headline kind of says it all: Norway aims for all short-haul flights to be 100% electric by 2040. Now, we're talking about aircraft. 100% electric. Norway already has more electric cars than any other country in the world and is building electric ships. Mr. Dag Falk-Petersen, who is the chief executive of Avinor, the public operator of Norwegian airports - he runs all the airports in Norway, he said:
"When we will have reached our goal, air travel will no longer be a problem for the climate, it will be a solution...
Electric air travel will also at least halve noise levels and the operating cost of aircraft"
And by the way, both Boeing and Airbus are working on developing all-electric large transport planes.
And then it's not just Norway. Berlin, for example. We're struggling, New York City is having horrible problems with their metro rail system, Washington DC having problems with their metro rail system.
In Berlin they just cut a deal with Adidas I believe it is and to release a new line yeah adidas you can buy a pair of shoes now from the Berlin government and those shoes have a chip built into them which is your pass for the full year for the entire mass transit system in the city of Berlin. All you do is walk on the train because it detects your shoes.
And we can't even keep damn trains from derailing?
Because, you know, Republicans: we can't spend money on infrastructure, no way!
Comments
#2
In California Jerry Brown has a very delayed...very expensive train to no-where being built. Of course the people of California would have rather had more reservoirs to catch all that rain we got last year. Especially after 5 years of drought. But then again who needs water when they could have a train to no-where?
I really do not think thats how things are done in Norway, It does seem more like Mexico"s politics.
California = taxes, taxes, and taxes on your taxes.
And the homeless line the streets.
Ou812
And miss the vagina movement???? No way! Look at all the time & energy that went into those outfits...:)
#3
I'd like to know why we are so high on the happiness scale.. Is the bar THAT low around the world??
#4
#1 : Buffoon!
#5
My ancestors came from Norway in the early 20th century.
Seems to me they must have said “Let's leave here and go to America. There, we can live in a house made of sod, burn cowpies for fuel, raise crops that fail due to flood or drought, or get eaten by hordes of grasshoppers, weather temperatures 30 below zero and winds of 50 miles per hour. In the summer we get to burn up in 100 degree weather and watch the well go dry. That’s got to be better than where we live now!”
If that was the case, then Norway must have been one “s#it-hole country”
#6
#2 : Sadly! The US does very little inovation anymore
Even Silicon Valley is bought and paid out from brains not of American roots
It usually waits till things get outside of some kind of jelousy / envy zone where "nobody is better than me" kicks in
The space race is a classic
#7
#1, simple, I do not speak the language. I have worked in Sweden (in the summer) and found it to be very nice. I however would have a hard time with the winters. Most speak English but you are still an outsider. Yes many came here in the earlier years. My Grandparents in 1917 and my Mother was born here in 1918. Farming life was difficult in those years. Now They have an excellent economy.
One thing about Righty/ Fascists is they seem to think that they live in the best place in the world yet are oblivious to the world around them.
#8
@ #1 - Just moving down the street would be a major headache, let alone, moving to another country. The logistics, and cost would overwhelm me. Casually mentioning it as a simple doable solution to an ugly problem is not realistic.
#9
Ou812: Language. Climate - long winters/short summers. Loss of Social Security and or/ Medicare. Family ties. Risky: If things go wrong there, we will be the FIRST to go.. Do you think that Norway is that stupid enough, to risk, taking aboard a large portion of population that hasn't given something first-- what to we have to offer Denmark? -- Fitting enormous populations into society and labor is a huge task and financial lift.-- At the very least: You have to have big money for countries like, even, Canada to consider taking you... Believe me If it were simple and similar, the Lefties would be a ghost. Getting away from the tyranny and misery making of the Righties. Leaving the left behind Righties to tear each other apart for the last dollar. Capitalism is based on greed. It needs to be regulated. GOP has systematically gotten rid of regulation. You don't have to look hard to see the affects and results of deregulation.
#10
Sometime, when the thick and self interest gets out of the way, the penny will drop that money is to be made from renewables
Along with, associated technologies
The Chinese are already "on the ball"
#11
Kindly let us not forget about the lovely people of Norway before oil discovery in the north sea
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/norway/8657204/This-tra...
#12
#10
I know of and have discussions with someone in The Netherlands reguarding alt. energies often. He is very dedicated to solving the problem as are many people around the world. He too is very discouraged by his Gov. as is a Swedish man living in Germany also into alt. energy. Can't name names as one of them is well known.
Most of the worlds best ideas came out of someones garage. As did personal computers.
#8
So true.
#9
"Language. Climate - long winters/short summers. Loss of Social Security and or/ Medicare. Family ties. Risky: If things go wrong there, we will be the FIRST to go.. Do you think that Norway is that stupid enough, to risk, taking aboard a large portion of population that hasn't given something first-- what to we have to offer Denmark? -- Fitting enormous populations into society and labor is a huge task and financial lift.-- At the very least: You have to have big money for countries like, even, Canada to consider taking you..."
Now if the left could only translate what you wrote into why we should adopt some of those values!
The rest was a bunch of huey.
#13
In recent decades Sweden has become a more culturally diverse nation due to significant immigration; in 2013 it was estimated that 15 per cent of the population was foreign-born, and an additional 5 per cent of the population were born to two immigrant parents. The influx of immigrants has brought new social challenges. Violent incidents have periodically occurred[72][73] including the 2013 Stockholm riots which broke out following the police shooting of an elderly Portuguese immigrant.[74] In response to these violent events, the anti-immigration opposition party, the Swedish Democrats, promoted their anti-immigration policies, while the left-wing opposition blamed growing inequality caused by the centre-right government's socioeconomic policies.[75]
In 2014, Stefan Löfven (Social Democrats) won the General Election and became the new Swedish Prime Minister. The Sweden Democrats held the balance of power and voted the government's budget down in the Riksdag, but due to agreements between the government and the Alliance, the government was able to hang onto power.[76] Sweden was heavily affected by the 2015 European migrant crisis, eventually forcing the government to tighten regulations of entry to the country, as Sweden received thousands of asylum seekers and migrants predominantly from Africa and the Middle East per week in autumn, overwhelming existing structures.[77]
#14
#9 : What myopic righty / facists convenientlty forget is all their wealth has been accumulated from those that spend
When the middle class and those who fritter dry up they will have no more income
They do appear to be intent on this incidentally
A sucidal trajectory for sure
When all the real generators of an economy fall down there will be no business
When there is no business the stock market crashes
The wealthy lose their money because it becomes worthless
It can not buy anything
Because there is nothing to buy
There's more
#15
#1
You ask a question in an unintelligent manner. With name calling.
Yet...
You want an answer in an intelligent manner, without a lot of name calling.
How about getting that... "er..ahh..corndog"outa your mouth!
And practicing what you preach?!?
#16
#13 : Scandi nations became overspill due to EU spinelessness
That, so called, migration boondoggle was all to do with the EU piddling around... as it does... and a dumb Merkel character... quite prepared to impose 1,000,000 immigrants upon her own population without any due process whatever... because she felt like it!
Actually, those people were not escaping anything but desperation from despotic rule in their own countries... no refugees!
The blasted EU now appear to have successfully delegated responsibility onto Greece and Italy by dint of money (normally named bribery)
#17
#15 : Sorry! You can not educate pork!
#18
Hephaestus # 16
Therefore we know just electing a woman is not a solution...as Merkle clearly shows.
She has almost single handedly wrecked Europe, Just as would be happening here if Hillary Rotten Clinton was elected.
#19
Easy there Thom,
Norway is one of THE MOST homogeneous nations in the world.
This villiage sized country became wealthy on oil by the way. They have so much kroner that they can easily afford to give it all to their citizens, which is totally awesome. I agree with others in the list here. Let those that do not believe in America go there. Start with Hollywood's Limosine Liberals.
#20
#2 #18 HotCoffee
You must've spilled some of that "scalding" hot coffee on whatever is between your legs...
Because you sure seem to have a hangup about women..and what's between their legs!
#21
In Norway, the average person and those who enjoy substantial wealth do not have to pay extraordinary taxes to compensate for the morbidly rich not paying their taxes to accommodate an extremely successful functioning state of the art envy of the world status society. Oddly enough, in Norway they probably have very few uncouth eating habits.
#22
Wise up leftie/socialists.
1. Norway is a tiny little country that has been awash in oil $$$$$$$$ for years.
2. Before that, it was a very tiny country where the residents lived off of goats milk, cod, reindeer, and stood around carving little wooden animals to entertain themselves.
3. If the oil drys up they will go back to being #2 only with more expensive knives.
The Swedes are the same people without #1 plus a whole lot of undesirable immigrants that are currently destroying the Swediish culture of standing around carving little wooden animals to entertain themselves.
Planes leave the US daily for that idyllic lifestyle.
#23
In 2015, 1.38 million foreign-born individuals moved to the United States, a 2 percent increase from 1.36 million in 2014. India was the leading country of origin for recent immigrants, with 179,800 arriving in 2015, followed by 143,200 from China, 139,400 from Mexico, 47,500 from the Philippines, and 46,800 from Canada. In 2013, India and China overtook Mexico as the top origin countries for recent arrivals.
#24
Bachmann: We progressives don't move to Norway because we intend on catching up with the standard they have set for a free people being represented by those they elect. It's called good government.
Why don't you move to Russia?...Putin is a Crooked Donny with brains.
#25
All you "right wingers" on this blog, keep trying to demonize and refute what Tom posted yesterday. His comparison of the Norwegian economic/socialist society to our capitalist/greed based society.
And so far..
You've all fallen flat on your faces. Your all so quick to point out that "most of their wealth is from oil and gas revenues." When in fact, its actually only about 20% of the country's GDP. And 67% of the country's oil company(Statoil) is owned by the government. Yes, the majority of shares (the controlling interest) are owned by the goverment. And because of that, a large percent of it's profits are invested and distributed amongst ALL the citizens of Norway in numerous ways and to varying degrees.
Unlike all the oil companies based and operating in this country. All giant Multi-National Corporations who's only motive for existing is profit. Where the controlling interest (majority of shares) is in the hands of a very few.
And while yes... Average Americans can buy and own stock in energy companies. And by doing so, (hopefully) reap financial benefits. Most Americans dont! Almost 60% of Americans own no stocks at all.. IN ANYTHING!! Thats a LUXURY that most Americans cant afford...
#26
Democratic Socialism is 100% pure good government....true Democracy. Norway knows what time it is, the 21st century .. they get it.
#27
Jeff: Owning stock right now is fools gold, and buying stocks right now would be insanity. We're at a bubble point more severe than 1929.....with no way out once it bursts. So the term luxury may not apply to the 60% without it at the moment.
#28
2950-10K
Yes, I'm in total agreement with you. I personally own no stocks ( other than the union investments in my union retirement pension) and have no desire to buy or acquire any. Totally a fools investment!!
And yes... Realy SCARY times we're living in!
This massive, humongous, worldwide bubble of phantom (yet all too real) debt encompassing the whole planet... 100s and 100s of trillions of dollars of this phantom debt!! Its not going to pop like a bubble. Its going to blow up like a powder keg... A complete "worldwide" financial collapse. Very scary and very real!
Some countries will ride it out better than others... But...
This country will not be a good place to be in when it happens. Because of all the firearm weapons that most of us (me included) own...
#29
It's time to reboot, the sooner the better.
The daily news cycle in America is being consumed by the shallow thoughts of racists, about 30% of voters, of whom Trump is the leader. These gullible fools are indoctrinated from birth to believe that most of our country's problems are because of "other" people with different skin pigmentation or who believe in non-Christian religions -- and because of liberals who think diversity in society is a good thing, healthy and vital for the economy as well as progress toward a greater understanding of what it means to live this miracle called life in all of its rich expressions.
The rapacious billionaire class, controlling the narrow issues to be discussed in the corporate news bubble, are using so-called "conservatives" and their inbred bigotry to push for welfare-for-the-rich policies that steal the wealth from the majority of working citizens, be they white, black, brown, yellow, red, or whatever. Is there any clearer indication of this basic motivation of the 1% than their latest tax "reform" legislation, rammed through Congress with virtually no significant input from anyone else?
Why do we allow them to frame the arguments with half-truths and lies? And why do we respond by conveniently fitting into that framework? The bill for reality is way past due for several generations to come. For the sake of our children, forget Republican World; progressive Democrats need to make it very clear what the issues should be, ones that reflect science and truth rather than bankrupt economic theories, false religion, and overt racism.
#30
@#27 roadrunner,
Good information. Thom has been preaching the very same since the Dow was at 9400 and look where it got him.
Beep, beep
#31
Deepspace
Yes, this country needs a reboot. Tom also mentioned this today. But..
How can this possibly take place? Realistically?
Almost all of our news is spoon fed by only a few giant, for profit, privately owned-corporate news agencies. And they have their own agendas ( profit and manipulation) for delivering their version of the "news".
In essence: They've dumbed us down and divided us against each other...
#32
Speak for yourself there are those who have been Dumped Down and there are those who continuously are divisive against values the United States was founded on and even Christianity for that matter including taking part in a commonwealth. Most likely this group consists of about 30% of the voters.
In essence, if there are two people arguing and one of them demands that you agree with heshe that the Earth is flat while heshe is also a nutjob, that does not make both individuals dumped down and divided against each other.
#33
# 32
Your "earth is flat" example is too simplistic. That argument is quickly disproved by hard science.
What l am saying is that most (not all) people ( if they bother at all) tend to listen to, read, or watch news shows that cater to and reinforce their- already existing beliefs. In fact I'd argue, even shape and manipulate the said beliefs for ulterior motives... Whether it is good or bad, left or right, up or down...
And its very hard to.. In fact, almost impossible to, have a reasoned, civil discourse between different or opposing viewpoints - On a myriad of issues. Their opinions and beliefs ( no matter how crazy they may be) get in the way of hard facts or truths.
And I'm sorry, but most people (l believe) aren't critical thinkers anymore... In fact they dont/cant even look beyond the tips of their noses!
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A simple Question. If Norway is so great, why aren't the washed up lefties moving to Norway? Who can answer this question in an intelligent manner, without a lot of name calling....Anyone.