Look to me like dear Michael has been forming his view largely by asking assorted grumpy people for their personal opinions about people in their out-groups. I want my four minutes back.
Yes, I think it's a bit tongue in cheek. There are few countries that compare to Scandinavia and Finland in terms of quality of life - Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Austria, Switzerland...nothing else really springs to mind.
Luxembourg, Liechtenstein..