My sister married a Dutchman...they lived in Amsterdam for over 10 years then moved here. They both wish they’d stayed in Holland. My brother in law’s brother is now nicely retired and having a happy life - he was a fairly famous scientist in his field - the sister is also not working and has a villa in Tuscany. Meanwhile my brother in law - who has a PhD - is not only smart but also a very hard worker - just got laid off again.
I can understand the point of view my sister and her husband have given their experiences.
However, the US isn’t Holland, what with all our give aways to other countries, wars in far away places, funding of takers who have no intention of ever giving back....etc. Life would be different here if it hadn’t fallen on our shoulders to be the big dog of the world....not to mention our own very expensive corruption problems.
It’s a UN list - ‘nuf said.
Wonder if people from any of these “happiest” countries were offered instant, automatic U.S. citizenship - think they’d turn it down?
No, of course not.
I assume you reside in the US. I reside in one of the "socialist" countries you refer to. We don't have a federal "food stamp" program or a school breakfast lunch and dinner program funded by the state. We have 48 weeks of unemployment payments, not 99 or 150 or whatever you are up to now.
We do have "socialized" medical coverage. The Canada Health Act runs a whopping 3 pages, not 2,700. The reason is that, although it is partially funded by the federal government, it is also funded by the provinces and administered by them, separately.
I could go on, but the point is that, in many ways, the US is more socialist than the countries mentioned. Sorry, friend, that is a fact.
Your Constitution and Bill of Rights are great documents, its just too bad that your government ignores them.
As for an ingrained welfare (socialist) mentality, check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o64Fz-KW1Dk