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Monday, July 06, 2026

Do you know how to get an American company to grant you excellent wages and amazing benefits, even for an entry-level job? Move to Norway and take the job there.

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Kristof's weekend column is a long at how the Nordic countries achieved economic success (Norway has higher per capita income than the US and also enjoys higher productivity), relative equality and some of the highest levels of happiness in the world. But the American right savages Scandinavia's

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-- Scott Horton (@robertscotthorton.bsky.social) 10:50 AM · Jul 5, 2026

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More from the OpEd...

... Construction workers, hotel maids, gas station attendants and store cashiers will typically earn more than $20 an hour plus evening or weekend bonuses, about five weeks' paid vacation each year, a pension, maternity and paternity leave that add up to a year and paid leave when a child is sick. You may even get paid time off if you move homes.

Those are broadly the terms for Norwegian and foreign companies alike, including the likes of 7-Eleven shops, Burger King restaurants and ExxonMobil-affiliated gas stations. Which raises the question: If American and other international firms can offer such munificent terms for retail jobs in Norway, could they do so in our country?

We'll get to that, but what unfolds here is a result of the Nordic social and economic model, which aims to reduce inequality, boost opportunity and optimize the quality of life -- providing a lift, in particular, for those at the lower end of the income scale.

What we tend to think of as "low wage" jobs aren't truly low-earning in Norway, and they also come with state-provided health care and child care, plus strong unions that ensure that layoffs or firings are rare.

You want security, health care and the American dream? Look to Scandinavia. ...



#1 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-07-05 07:15 PM | Reply

"We actually live the American dream," Jens Stoltenberg, a former prime minister of Norway who is now the finance minister, told me.

"The American dream, it's more reality in the Nordic countries than in America."

"The U.S. in the mid-20th century was sort of like Scandinavia today," Katz said. But America changed course in the 1970s and eventually embraced the Reagan revolution."

excerpts, article is a good read

There's also quite a few articles about how Norway is business friendly; here's one now:

"Norway ranks among the top countries in the world for competitiveness. The country's egalitarian culture and the trust between employers and employees strengthen innovation processes and lead to greater efficiency.

In addition, close cooperation between the government, industry confederations, and labor unions creates stability and low conflict levels in the labor market."

blog.aiderlegal.com

This whole idea from Reaganism on that we can't have Happy People and Happy Business at the same time is HORSE MANURE made up by the Corporate Class.

#2 | Posted by Corky at 2026-07-05 08:35 PM | Reply

They do have a lot of Suicides.

More than a lot of "Unhappy" Countries.

What Gives?

#3 | Posted by Effeteposer at 2026-07-05 08:43 PM | Reply

What Gives?

Alcohol.

#4 | Posted by REDIAL at 2026-07-05 08:45 PM | Reply

They're just trying to stay warm!

The point remains that they have a system that benefits the People and the Corporations both.

As do several other Scandinavian countries.

#5 | Posted by Corky at 2026-07-05 08:49 PM | Reply

Suicide Rate by Country 2026
worldpopulationreview.com

... 10 Countries with the Lowest Suicide Rates (per 100k)

Perhaps surprisingly, many of the most troubled nations in the world have comparatively low suicide rates. Afghanistan has 4.1 suicides per 100k; Iraq has 3.6, and Syria has just 2.0. It is not clear if the suicide statistics for these countries reflect suicides committed due to mental health problems and terminal illnesses (which are the primary reasons for suicide in most of the world) or include suicides committed as part of the ongoing conflicts in these countries. ...

Suicide in Sweden

In 2019, Sweden had 14.7 suicides per 100,000 people. Historically, Sweden has had a high suicide rate, with the most suicides in the developed world during the 1960s. That may have been due, at least in part, to cultural attitudes regarding suicide and long, dark winters, particularly in the northern regions. The government responded to the crisis with social welfare and mental health services, and the numbers have dropped dramatically. Today, Scandinavian countries " Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland -- have very high happiness rates and relatively low suicide rates. However, the dark winters -- 20 hours of darkness or more in each day in some areas " causes seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a form of depression, which has been known to correlate with higher rates of suicide. ...

Country - Suicide rate per 100k

Greenland - 75.57
Suriname - 28.69
South Korea - 28.13
Guyana - 25.36
Lithuania - 24.76
Russia - 24.28
Uruguay - 22.49
Japan - 21.46
Ukraine - 21.28
Cuba - 21.13
...
Norway - 11.11

...

#6 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-07-05 08:55 PM | Reply

@#4 ... Alcohol. ...

And the long, so long, winter nights ...

#7 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-07-05 08:55 PM | Reply

They're just trying to stay warm!

Old joke:

A Finlander and a Brit meet in a pub for drinks.

The first round comes, and the Brit raises his glass and says "Cheers!". They drink their drinks.

The second round comes, and again the Brit raises his glass and says "Cheers!". They drink their drinks.

The third round comes, and once more the Brit raises his glass and says "Cheers!".

The Finlander looks at him and says, "Are you here to drink, or are you here to talk?".

#8 | Posted by REDIAL at 2026-07-05 08:55 PM | Reply | Funny: 2

Happiest Countries in the World 2026
worldpopulationreview.com

...

Finland - 7.74
Denmark - 7.52
Iceland - 7.52
Sweden - 7.35
Netherlands - 7.31
Costa Rica - 7.27
Norway - 7.26

...

Top-ranked countries tend to combine strong social support systems, higher income levels, longer life expectancy, and greater personal freedom, all of which are associated with higher overall happiness scores. ...


#9 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-07-05 09:02 PM | Reply

"Pura vida"!

puravidaadventures.com

#10 | Posted by Corky at 2026-07-05 09:12 PM | Reply

op-ranked countries tend to combine strong social support systems, higher income levels, longer life expectancy, and greater personal freedom, all of which are associated with higher overall happiness scores. .

And from the list you presented .... a Small population

#11 | Posted by oneironaut at 2026-07-05 09:59 PM | Reply

The point remains that they have a system that benefits the People and the Corporations both.

They have natural resources that support the system. There's also a reason Nordic countries are now turning against immigration.

A paradigm shift in Sweden, a U-turn in Norway, and business as usual in Denmark " this is how migration expert Kristian Tronstad describes the changes in Nordic immigration and integration policy following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Overall, the Nordic integration policy has become more restrictive, selective, and temporary.
nordicwelfare.org

#12 | Posted by oneironaut at 2026-07-05 10:01 PM | Reply

#12

Weak sauce from weak minds. They are dealing with climate change migration as are all northern countries...and they have no more natural resources than we do.

You might as well just go ahead and join the Trump Cult for all the simping you do for them.

#13 | Posted by Corky at 2026-07-05 10:25 PM | Reply

#12

Jeff the cowardly midget

#14 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2026-07-05 10:31 PM | Reply

They're HAPPY?!!

F THAT! No democratic socialism for me! I enjoy being a grumpy, unhappy retiree, thank you.

- BUSHLOVERSHRIMPTACODAN

#15 | Posted by AMERICANUNITY at 2026-07-06 01:14 AM | Reply

What Gives?

Alcohol.

#4 | Posted by REDIAL

And good lookin' bikini teams!

#16 | Posted by AMERICANUNITY at 2026-07-06 01:18 AM | Reply

"The American dream, it's more reality in the Nordic countries than in America."

Yup. I'm moving to Europe at the end of the month because it's a better deal there for me.

Sure, regulations and taxes are higher but I've done the math and it still works out in my favor while giving me more time with my family and, most likely, more money to do things with them.

For the vast majority of people, the American dream in the US is dead. One has to be particularly gifted or a f*&^ing sociopath to really boost themselves in America these days.

#17 | Posted by jpw at 2026-07-06 01:22 AM | Reply

" Yup. I'm moving to Europe at the end of the month"

Good. Hopefully you never come back.

#18 | Posted by BellRinger at 2026-07-06 03:59 AM | Reply

Always nice to hear a story about Norwegian exceptionalism.

Current American exceptionalism means ignoring what makes other places exceptional.

There's false pride, and then there's healthy pride.

False pride goes nowhere.

#19 | Posted by Zed at 2026-07-06 07:47 AM | Reply

"And the long, so long, winter nights ..."

Norway is by far the most conservative county I've been to, outside of the Gulf states. Alcohol is expensive and not readily available.

The long winter nights are offset by the long summer days.

The weather is what drives me crazy. If it weren't for the year-round rain and sleet, I might have moved there already.

#20 | Posted by madbomber at 2026-07-06 09:19 AM | Reply

"Yup. I'm moving to Europe at the end of the month because it's a better deal there for me."

Where to?

I think you're going to like it.

A suggestion, if you have time, check out Albania before the summer ends. Karaburun. Best beaches on this planet.

#21 | Posted by madbomber at 2026-07-06 09:20 AM | Reply

It's probably also worth mentioning that the Norwegians are crazy bad-asses. They literally start their day with a morning swim. In the Arctic Circle. In the middle of winter.

It's probably why the conquered much of the world.

#22 | Posted by madbomber at 2026-07-06 09:22 AM | Reply

Good. Hopefully you never come back.

#18 | Posted by BellRinger

It's no surprise you want your betters gone.

People like you are turning our once great Republic into a failed state that is the butt of endless jokes.

You're a stupid pile of s*&^ who wants people like me gone because we're simply better than you in every way. And you can't stand that.

#23 | Posted by jpw at 2026-07-06 01:28 PM | Reply

Good. Hopefully you never come back.
#18 | POSTED BY BELLRINGER

"Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life, son."
Dean Vernon Wormer
Faber College

#24 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2026-07-06 01:33 PM | Reply

Where to?

I think you're going to like it.

The Netherlands.

Everything I've read in the job offer, expat groups on FB ect suggests we're going to love it.

My pay is basically the same (slight raise), just converted to Euros. Rent, health insurance, food, transportation (outside of gasoline) are all going to be cheaper.

Sure, taxes are higher as everyone likes to point out as if I didn't already know, but when I did the math I'm going to end up with the same net I have in the states because I maxed out pre-tax deductions like retirement, HSA ect. All of those will be covered as well in the Netherlands but with better services and additional perks not available here, namely I'm going on a high skill visa that will put me in a position to get in a program where 30% of my income is tax free.

I get more holidays. More PTO. A cool bonus intended to pay for holidays during the summer break from school. I could go on and on.

It's going to be amazing.

A suggestion, if you have time, check out Albania before the summer ends. Karaburun. Best beaches on this planet.

#21 | Posted by madbomber

That, unfortunately, won't be possible this summer due to work start date and trying to get the family settled.

But I've been building a list of places we want to go since European once a lifetime bucket list type items are no longer bucket list, once in a life time events.

I've been reading good things about Eastern Europe as cheap, off the beaten path sort of destinations (Albania and Croatia being the two most frequently mentioned), so I'll add that to the list.

#25 | Posted by jpw at 2026-07-06 01:52 PM | Reply

Does Europe have a Flying J?

#26 | Posted by fortfisher at 2026-07-06 01:58 PM | Reply

It doesn't have stupid piles of s*&^ like you.

You're probably the kind of fat a&&, dumbf&*^ American who walks into a restaurant or store in Europe and they groan.

#27 | Posted by jpw at 2026-07-06 02:02 PM | Reply

"I've been reading good things about Eastern Europe as cheap, off the beaten path sort of destinations (Albania and Croatia being the two most frequently mentioned), so I'll add that to the list."

Enjoy the whole region. If you're pad in EUR, you're golden.

Your kids will never want to leave. Mine didn't. The oldest just did it for college.

You're a younger dude. You have your whole life ahead of you. You're going to LOVE it.

#28 | Posted by madbomber at 2026-07-06 02:19 PM | Reply

Wish you could talk the rest of your ilk to go with you.

#29 | Posted by fortfisher at 2026-07-06 02:23 PM | Reply

"Ilk"
It's a funny word for so many here on the DR.
"Ilk.l
LOL

#30 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2026-07-06 02:28 PM | Reply

Your kids will never want to leave. Mine didn't. The oldest just did it for college.

If you don't mind my asking, how old were they when they moved there? Mine are very young, so I'm expecting they'll be more Dutch/European than American, although we're taking a ton of US history books to make sure they learn it.

You're a younger dude. You have your whole life ahead of you. You're going to LOVE it.

#28 | Posted by madbomber

Thanks! I might hit you up here for some suggestions or recs on places to go and things to do. I'm really looking forward to having Europe as my back yard to see as much as we can, touristy and, most importantly, not so touristy.

#31 | Posted by jpw at 2026-07-06 03:09 PM | Reply

Wish you could talk the rest of your ilk to go with you.

#29 | Posted by fortfisher

And leave the country populated with the same caliber of people running it? You really want it to sink, don't you?

Face it, sport, people like you are dead weight. Turning it entirely over to you is like letting the special needs ------- run the grocery store.

#32 | Posted by jpw at 2026-07-06 03:26 PM | Reply

why is bag gers censored?

#33 | Posted by jpw at 2026-07-06 04:44 PM | Reply

You still here, thought you were leaving.

#34 | Posted by fortfisher at 2026-07-06 04:54 PM | Reply

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