It always amazes me that even poor European countries have better maternity leave provisions than the richest country in the world.
That's why they are poor.
Two New Moms Return to Work – One in Seattle, One in Stockholm
11–20 of 73 posts
Re: Two New Moms Return to Work – One in Seattle, One in Stockholm
#12It always amazes me that even poor European countries have better maternity leave provisions than the richest country in the world.
The US is the riches country in the world. The US cannot afford basic healthcare for all. One of these sentences most be wrong.
No. You have to define how a country can be rich. And what "basic healthcare" is. And what "for all" means.
A country cannot be rich. Its people can be. If you have a definition that differs, we can discuss. I am going to avoid "basic healthcare" for now. We can discuss "for all". Does that mean for people born in the country? Or does it really mean "for all people"?
FredW
Re: Two New Moms Return to Work – One in Seattle, One in Stockholm
#13And did you know there are actually more billionaires-per-capita in Sweden than in the USA [1]? Norway as well. So it's actually possible to have both an amazing welfare system and loads of billionaires at the same time. [1] https://www.businessinsider.com/countries-ranked-by-billiona...
Though the background of billionaires tends to be different. Lots of business owner in the US, lots of old money in SE.
I'd say there's less opportunities for social mobility in Sweden than in the US, hard to get beyond the "middle class"
Re: Two New Moms Return to Work – One in Seattle, One in Stockholm
#14It always amazes me that even poor European countries have better maternity leave provisions than the richest country in the world.
That's why they are poor.
And yet consistently polled as being far happier. Turns out, when you have your basic needs cared for, can afford a house, to travel, the latest gadget ... well, the rest is just pretty pointless and doesn't buy you any additional happiness.
Re: Two New Moms Return to Work – One in Seattle, One in Stockholm
#15As a Scandinavian, the US seems like a third world country. I am genuinely sad for you.
I think of the US, only half-jokingly, as a rich country, but not a developed or civilized one.
Re: Two New Moms Return to Work – One in Seattle, One in Stockholm
#16And did you know there are actually more billionaires-per-capita in Sweden than in the USA [1]? Norway as well. So it's actually possible to have both an amazing welfare system and loads of billionaires at the same time. [1] https://www.businessinsider.com/countries-ranked-by-billiona...
Though the background of billionaires tends to be different. Lots of business owner in the US, lots of old money in SE. I'd say there's less opportunities for social mobility in Sweden than in the US, hard to get beyond the "middle class"
I dunno, mobility in the US is hard and getting harder. I don't know about Sweden, but escaping the middle class in the US requires a massive income.
Re: Two New Moms Return to Work – One in Seattle, One in Stockholm
#17As a Scandinavian, the US seems like a third world country. I am genuinely sad for you.
Americans sometimes joke that we live in a third world country. Many people here are dissatisfied with our family and healthcare policies, but no one seems to know how to actually fix it. Obamacare wasn't really a good solution. It was just the most politically viable. So you need more than a good plan for what works better. You also need to somehow get it accepted politically and that ends up being a sticking point.
How to fix it? Get involved with your local DSA chapter. Work on putting socialists on your local ballot and getting initiatives passed locally. Educate your friends and neighbors that 'socialist' policies are much broader than what has been demonized in the US since the red scare.
Edit: Also, consider unionizing and bargaining for parental leave, healthcare, living wages, employee board representation, etc.
Re: Two New Moms Return to Work – One in Seattle, One in Stockholm
#18And did you know there are actually more billionaires-per-capita in Sweden than in the USA [1]? Norway as well. So it's actually possible to have both an amazing welfare system and loads of billionaires at the same time. [1] https://www.businessinsider.com/countries-ranked-by-billiona...
Though the background of billionaires tends to be different. Lots of business owner in the US, lots of old money in SE. I'd say there's less opportunities for social mobility in Sweden than in the US, hard to get beyond the "middle class"
Not according to https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Social_Mobility_Index
Re: Two New Moms Return to Work – One in Seattle, One in Stockholm
#19And did you know there are actually more billionaires-per-capita in Sweden than in the USA [1]? Norway as well. So it's actually possible to have both an amazing welfare system and loads of billionaires at the same time. [1] https://www.businessinsider.com/countries-ranked-by-billiona...
Though the background of billionaires tends to be different. Lots of business owner in the US, lots of old money in SE. I'd say there's less opportunities for social mobility in Sweden than in the US, hard to get beyond the "middle class"
Actually, the 5 Nordic countries are identical to the top 5 countries for social mobility in the World Economic Forum's Global Social Mobility Index [1].
[1] https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/01/these-are-the-10-coun...
Re: Two New Moms Return to Work – One in Seattle, One in Stockholm
#20It always amazes me that even poor European countries have better maternity leave provisions than the richest country in the world.
The US is the riches country in the world. The US cannot afford basic healthcare for all. One of these sentences most be wrong.
Yes, the "cannot" is factually incorrect.