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Who pays for Sweden's free lunch?
The Local (Sweden) ^ | 5/14/07 | Nima Sanandaji

Posted on 05/16/2007 11:15:05 AM PDT by redstates4ever

Sweden has traditionally relied heavily on the strong protestant work ethic of its citizens. A cornerstone of the country's welfare system has been a population which has been reluctant to misuse the system. Although taxes have been high and government benefits generous, the strong work ethic has stopped people from taking advantage of the welfare state. Alas, this attitude has been largely abandoned. As time has passed, people have adapted to the system. (snip)

Many unemployed people are unwilling to take jobs that pay less than their former employment. The reason is that government compensation is often almost as high as their previous salaries; taking a job that pays less than their old one might very well mean lower income than the state benefit.

(Excerpt) Read more at thelocal.se ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS:
Socialism kills civilization. It undermines everything -- morals, economics and even the willingness to be free.
1 posted on 05/16/2007 11:15:09 AM PDT by redstates4ever
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To: redstates4ever

Stunning.


2 posted on 05/16/2007 11:19:01 AM PDT by trimom
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To: redstates4ever

So, when you abandon Protestantism, you lose the Protestant work ethic? Whoduthunkit?


3 posted on 05/16/2007 11:22:30 AM PDT by Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus (Duncan Hunter wears Fred Thompson pajamas!)
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To: redstates4ever

The Swedes also appear to be subsidizing a whole new underclass of unassimilated Muslim immigrants who use their idle time to plot terrorism and gang rape of Swedish women. Brilliant.


4 posted on 05/16/2007 11:26:39 AM PDT by Argus
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To: Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus
when you abandon Protestantism, you lose the Protestant work ethic?

My thoughts exactly. No God == no morals, no character; if this world is all their is, then grab all you can get for yourself, your fellow man be damned! (literally).

Without moral character, greed and laziness take over and the system crumbles.

Check out Say a little prayer for Sweden, from the same source...

5 posted on 05/16/2007 11:33:03 AM PDT by Nervous Tick
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To: redstates4ever

This is great news. When one questions the damage that socialism can do, one typically hears about how successful Sweden has been. Evidently, it’s just taken longer.


6 posted on 05/16/2007 11:36:41 AM PDT by William Tell (RKBA for California (rkba.members.sonic.net) - Volunteer by contacting Dave at rkba@sonic.net)
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To: redstates4ever

did dumbass Marx ever even ADRRESS this possibility????? and what his wonderful worker’s paradise should do in these circumstanses?


7 posted on 05/16/2007 11:39:20 AM PDT by Mr. K (Some days even my lucky rocketship underpants don't help)
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To: Mr. K

in 1970 sweden was the 3rd richest country in the world based on per capita gdp.
Now 40th and dropping
and the dumocrats want to turn america into sweden and voters listen.


8 posted on 05/16/2007 11:42:35 AM PDT by genghis
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To: genghis

I was just in Stockholm last month. The price of everything is outrageous. Thats who’s paying for it.


9 posted on 05/16/2007 11:55:13 AM PDT by Sig Sauer P220
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To: Nervous Tick
“I don’t have anything against working. But if the government doesn’t make sure that I have a job, it is their responsibility to pay me the handouts all year around”.

...Coming soon to a country near you...

10 posted on 05/16/2007 11:58:54 AM PDT by Inquisitive1 (I know nothing except the fact of my ignorance - Socrates)
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To: redstates4ever
~snip~


Perhaps this is to be expected in a society with widespread dependence on politicians, but the attitude among these young students is remarkable. As one of them wrote in a letter to a newspaper: “Why should I only get this handout only the months that I attend school?” Explaining that he needs money for going out with his friends and buying clothes all year round, the young author concluded: “I don’t have anything against working. But if the government doesn’t make sure that I have a job, it is their responsibility to pay me the handouts all year around”.

I fear we will see the Muslims take Sweden in our lifetime, and those that make it out in time will come here and still support the policies that got them into this mess in the first place. I pray that I am wrong.

11 posted on 05/16/2007 12:03:27 PM PDT by isaiah55version11_0 (For His Glory)
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To: redstates4ever
“Socialism kills civilization. It undermines everything — morals, economics and even the willingness to be free.”

Couldn’t have said it better myself. Socialism is like cancer. It always kills the societies it infects. The only difference is the time frame. Communism kills quickly, while the soft socialism of the west kills slowly and more insidiously.

12 posted on 05/16/2007 1:01:09 PM PDT by monday
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