This view differs from the post which said NO to Norway’s “socialism.” First, Norway is not socialist. Capitalism prevails. But Norwegians receive more social benefits from capitalism. Also, the profits from the mostly public owned oil company Statoil puts more back into the social fabric. Wouldn’t it be nice if Exxon did that?

Regarding tax rates and health care, the tax rates are nearly alike. A young single Norwegian pays 34% as compared to 20.3% tax for an American, but U.S. workers pay 7.65% Social Security and Medicare Tax, and the employer pays an equal amount, but that comes from workers’ wages, so in effect, a 15.3%, totaling 36.6%. But the SSI fund is being robbed to fund every war since 1968, so there is a double-whammy to repay with interest-bearing bonds.

Norwegians do not complain because they get free university education, free health care, low-cost public transportation, excellent benefits for the elderly; 12 months of parental leave (divided between mom and dad). In Norway there is a mandated living wage; a grocery clerk, my cousin Sindre, earned $20 an hour at age 18.

Compare this to Carbon County; even under the new LVH network, there are no birth facilities. Compare this to the July report that 11% of Carbon County residents are in poverty and 32% more live below the basic cost of living. Compare this to Pennsylvania not having enough money (our taxes) for road repairs.

The U.S. ranks highest in health care spending (OECD), $10,029 per capita, not Norway. Some of the high costs are from uncontrolled drug prices. Instead of controlling drug prices, there is a socialism-for-the rich scheme. Simple-to-make drugs like Pfizer’s lifesaving insulin are so costly people skip doses. Big Pharma receives enormous subsidies from American taxpayers in the form of NIH research, and R&D tax breaks; but politicians refuse to regulate this offense.

“Why there are not more Norways?” There have been many democratic attempts in our own hemisphere, and each one faced an overthrow by the U.S., witness Honduras, 2009. Norway is not a paradise, and pressure to reverse the benefits from the right is constant, but it is a tiny indication how society can be organized. We should demand more social benefits from our taxes.

Sandra Spier

Jim Thorpe