Sweden

[sunnysan]

Here we go again, George Osbourne, in his speech yesterday made a reference to Sweden as an example of delivery or services,local decision making and choice.(I have heard all that stuff before somewhere methinks)

I cannot recall who it was who has recently hailed Sweden as way forward(Polly Toynbee I think), but I would like to hear some views from any people with vast experience with Sweden, or who live there.

IMHO, Sweden, much like the rest of Scandanavia seems to be percieved by most with rose tinted glasses and viewed as examples of "good" socialism whereas the UK is an example of "bad" socialism.

However after a bit of research, I am getting the impression that many of the unwanted byproducts of socialism and the welfare state are features of the Swedish social and political landscape eg Excessive Waste, Unwanted State Intervention, "dumbing down" and massive beaurocracy.

Coupled with this, it appears that they too have big problems with immigrant minorities as well, and are unable to deal with it effectively owing to excessive liberalisation and political correctness.

If my assumption is correct, and to more or less a degree Sweden is facing the same challenges, if not more significant than the UK, why are politicians , and expecially Conservatives, making references to the Swedish Welfare State?

[moorfield]

Here we go again, George Osbourne, in his speech yesterday made a reference to Sweden as an example of delivery or serviceslocal decision making and choice.(I have heard all that stuff before somewhere methinks)

He wasn't talking about their government.

[milanbenes]

you want to see how rich swedish people are, sit on the terrace of pub in downtown stockholm and in a half hour period count the number of 20yrs old volvo's, fords, vw's, audi's that drive past, I have never seen such a % of the population of a country driving around in bangers

swedes have very good social conditions, hard to sack them, dad's can take years off when children are born etc etc

consequently, the knock on effect of this excellent social regime is that there is a massive demand for contractors in sweden

therefore, the regime is good

Milan.

[DimPrawn]

you want to see how rich swedish people are, sit on the terrace of pub in downtown stockholm and in a half hour period count the number of 20yrs old volvo's, fords, vw's, audi's that drive past, I have never seen such a % of the population of a country driving around in bangers


Milan.

Are you watching these bangers go by with a view to trading up?

[milanbenes]

Milan.

[ThomasSoerensen]

Sweden, like the other Scandinavian countries, is mislabeled communism.

Would the politicians that bark on about the greatness of these countries like to use their push bike for commuting to work, because they cannot afford a car, because they pay 60% in income tax?

I thought not.

[snaw]

If our birds were as fit as there I wouldn't care what feckin government was in power.

[voodooflux]

I have never seen such a % of the population of a country driving around in bangers

Never been to Malta then?

[ThomasSoerensen]

I assume you have only seen the top 1%.

The ugly ones stay indoors and eat salmon candy.

[ace00]

I assume you have only seen the top 1%.

The ugly ones stay indoors and eat salmon candy.

salmon candy - wtf? Explain pls.