If you could guess where the happiest place on earth is, where would you choose? You’re probably thinking some kind of Paradise Island like Hawaii, the Bahamas, or Jamaica. Well according to the main scientific survey of international happiness carried out by Leicester University of England, Denmark is the happiest place on earth. Who would’ve ever thought of Denmark?
Well some reasons behind their happiness could be that their expectations are low. “It is more about the softer values, such as not being stressed, and feeling passionate about what I am doing. ‘Maybe this job is not going to pay me a lot of money. But I’m gonna love getting up and doing it everyday,’” said a Denmark citizen. Another reason they seem so content may be that they are provided with a lifetime of social services. One thing they don’t have to worry about is college tuition; it’s already paid for. The government even gives money to parents for the first 6 months of their child’s life. They also provide free healthcare, subsidized childcare, and elder care. So how much does it cost to have all these benefits? One small price; 50% in taxes. Who needs money when you’re set for life? Another factor could be that Denmark is mostly homogenous, has no large disparities of wealth, and has had very little turmoil for more that 50 years. They also have very little violence.
How much happier would we be in the United States if we knew our children were guaranteed an education? Or if we knew that we’d be taken care of when we get old? What if we had the opportunity to spend a whole 6 months with our new born child instead of having to rush back to work? In my opinion we would be much more happier if we had services such as these, that way we’d have that much less to worry about.
Well some reasons behind their happiness could be that their expectations are low. “It is more about the softer values, such as not being stressed, and feeling passionate about what I am doing. ‘Maybe this job is not going to pay me a lot of money. But I’m gonna love getting up and doing it everyday,’” said a Denmark citizen. Another reason they seem so content may be that they are provided with a lifetime of social services. One thing they don’t have to worry about is college tuition; it’s already paid for. The government even gives money to parents for the first 6 months of their child’s life. They also provide free healthcare, subsidized childcare, and elder care. So how much does it cost to have all these benefits? One small price; 50% in taxes. Who needs money when you’re set for life? Another factor could be that Denmark is mostly homogenous, has no large disparities of wealth, and has had very little turmoil for more that 50 years. They also have very little violence.
How much happier would we be in the United States if we knew our children were guaranteed an education? Or if we knew that we’d be taken care of when we get old? What if we had the opportunity to spend a whole 6 months with our new born child instead of having to rush back to work? In my opinion we would be much more happier if we had services such as these, that way we’d have that much less to worry about.
*All facts and quotes from www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/02/14/60minutes
5 Tell us what you think:
great post Aurea! it's very thought provoking. we always complain about our taxes, but if they were used in ways that benefited everyone, maybe we wouldn't complain so much. In the end, taxes are a good thing! so let's hold our government accountable to using them appropriately.
Tax the Rich! When that happens - taxing the rich and corporations who benefit most from government services, infrastructure and innovation - then taxes will be a good thing.
Wow, you sound like a freakin socialist!!! I can't believe it.
Way to go!!! I'm so freakin proud!!! :)
The one thing people do not pay attention to when they talk about policy changes like taxes, universal health care, and free higher education is that these changes don't come from liberal political parties. The countries that have these things also have strong Labor Parties and often Socialist Parties are in charge of their government.
And that usually happens because they have Ballot Access laws that allow for democracy and participation. Just think if you could only choose between red and blue cars? We wouldn't settle for that, but we settle for two corporate supported parties.
They also have strong Union movements. And again, their laws support that. So a good progressive thing to do would be to fight for democracy - change ballot access, voter registration, and union organizing laws.
Aurea, I'm very proud of you!!!!
"who needs money when you're set for life?"
that's it! you got it gon on!!!!
That's it! As soon as my baby comes I am moving to denmark!
Post a Comment