I saw this on a friend's page. These crop up in the Liberal bubble all the time...to the annoyance of the Nordic governments that say it's a simplistic view of their complicated economies.
Which it is.
For one the American, and Nordic experiences are from different planets. Entirely different social DNA evolutions happened in each.
In this case Norway has a very modest population with no expensive complex international responsibilities,...and doesn't want any.
A very small self-defense style armed forces.
If not for American/NATO arms the Russians would brush through them in hours/days like the Germans did before them.
Also they have a highly educated informed population. This with a better sense of humor, and Justice. The States on the other hand is soon headed to half a billion people.
A vast group of brawling hateful social ethnic, and racial groups with profound desires to exterminate each other. We've the biggest military in history...hear that, "...In History."
Also a corrupt decades long culture war gridlocked government. Whose current head of state is an actual insane illiterate.
We "...'might' eventually evolve a more Social-Democratic governance. However it will be based on an America model not a Nordic one.
That is it will stink with racism corruption, and gross incompetence. Which will for us be progress. This as it will be vastly better than what we have now.
I follow a blog where such subjects are discussed in depth. One of the participants is a Norwegian who recently mentioned that his country's social welfare system is breaking down because the surplus wealth needed to maintain it is going away, much like here, though perhaps not quite so fast.
ReplyDeleteThe notion of Europe as a peaceful prosperous democratic polity is strictly a post-WWII phenomenon. Its deeper history is one of extremely violent large-scale bloodshed, and what's going on with the EU suggests that it may be beginning to revert to the norm.
As far as I'm aware, Norway does not have a history of being invaded by Russia; it has a history of being invaded by Sweden. If you want a Scandinavian country that has had to fight off Russian domination, you have to go to Finland.
Bhutan is a good place to have a look to find a bit of sanity. But that may soon vanish since the king has decided to create a "democratically" elected government and already that is starting to cause some problems. But on the whole, it is a far better place than any other on earth that I know of.
ReplyDeletehttp://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000wVCCOmIAMiY/s/850/680/GDBhutanTrongsa-Thimphu0857.jpg
These kids seem to enjoy hanging out at this restaurant and bar:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m0IIdZvo9RA/UQJ570P5ucI/AAAAAAAAX7w/3cHVgjzz6Ws/s1600/Pictures-of-bhutan-penis-symbol.jpg
Well dinner, and a show!
ReplyDeleteYeah Finland fought wars forever with Russia. I think it still has territory occupied by #45's pals. Norway being in NATO was a northern flank thing. Everyone knew they'd fold is half an hour. ...especially the Norwegians.
ReplyDeletehowever they'd take some pressure off the Fulda gap in Germany as 20 billion commie tanks ran through it for shopping in Paris. ...which would also fold which is their tradition.
#45 pulling out of NATO like he's waned to do since he got here is insane. One the other hand it 'would' get us the fuck out of the tribal butcher shop that is traditional Europe.