A long time ago when I was stupid in love, we were planning to marry in Antarctica. There is a Norwegian passenger route going there every year I believe. But way too expensive. Ten years ago the price for ten days was about $6.000 a person. Probably more today. And that's not included the flight down to Argentina. Try https://www.hurtigruten.com/destinations/

It's not an continent, but why not try Svalbard in the north? Way cheaper and at just as exciting. Been there three times. Love it!

And this is just lying to us and them, instead of handling the problem. We have a saying here in Norway; you don't pee in your pants to keep you warm. That won't last very long. I see some of the same attitude in our politicians ;)

Thanks for your replies, btw :)

I think there is something between the US and the Norwegian welfare system. I don't think it's OK to have people dying of hunger in a civilized country. I really don't. Nor do I think it's OK to pay lazy people either. I do put this to an extent, but you know what I mean.

Without the oil and a one TRILLION dollar bank account, Norway wouldn't had a chance paying the bills. That's why a Norwegian who has never worked in his life will receive about $35.000 a year. If he/she has kids under 18, then add as much as $15.000 on top. That's more than most people at work without a degree or other higher education. This is NOT sustainable. When the oil is out just watch how quick our bank account will disappear!

My solution is to help those who really needs it and "kick the buts" of those just being lazy.

Our bank account:
https://money.cnn.com/2017/09/19/investing/norway-pension-fund-trillion-dollars/

Yes, I know. There's no system in the world that are perfect. Too many Norwegians think our system is close to perfect. I think not.

A reason why many Norwegians don't protests is because we have too much money. Even people without work will have a home, a car, going on vacation abroad, buying new clothes now and then, and so on.

So if most of us have what it takes to have a reasonably good life, why would we complain?

But is the Norwegian welfare system sustainable? Without the oil, I think not. And what to do when there is no oil left? Force tons of people back to work?

This is very true. I can’t speak for the rest of the world, but I know Norway and how it is here. We’re about 5,2 million people. About 1,8 million is either kids or elderly over 66 years. The rest, about 3,4 million, should be working. But no, it’s _only_ 2,7 million with a job. About 700.000 people doesn’t work (actually the numbers are slightly higher because many doesn’t work full time and still get some economically support in addition to their salary)!

So, making it too lucrative not having a job will just increase the unemployment rates. In Norway the official numbers are 4% unemployment, among the lowest in Europe. But the Norwegian politicians came up with a clever plan. What if we only count people that are temporary unemployed and call all the rest something else? About 600.000 people without a job are categorized with different health issues, drug abuse and other socially obstacles. Pretending there’s a low unemployment rate will never solve the problems.

It's a good question. And there's not an easy answer to that. I know a lot of people in Scandinavia and Germany and a few other countries report about good life quality and happiness. What's not clear, and that is VERY true for Norway, is _why_ so many are happy.

I don't know US in every detail, but I know that people without jobs do have a rough life. Many have no home and struggle just to get food every day. I don't think those people would report about very good life quality. Don't you agree?

And of course there are people without jobs here too (in fact, very many of them). But in Norway and Scandinavia they don’t have to live on the streets. Actually, every single Norwegian is _entitled_ to a home, clothes, food and everything they need from day to day. In some cases there is more profitable not working. It’s not difficult to understand why most of these people report about a ok life. Don’t you agree?

So the big question is how much would you as a worker pay for other people that don’t work? Most of us (me too) will not accept to see people living on the street and have a miserable life. But when some people get more money than people with full time jobs? When there are too many cases like this, people start asking questions.

Michael Moore and Bernie Sanders has one thing in common, they seems to love socialism. Look to Norway, the richest and happiest country in the world, they say. That’s how a society should be, that’s socialism in practice!

When selecting facts that suits their view and ignore facts that don't, then Norway is really great.

I know there has been a big discussion about healthcare in US the recent years. Therefore some US politicians use Norway as an example of free healthcare.

In Norway there has been “free” healthcare for more than fifty years. But is it really free? Does someone really think nurses and doctors work for free? And hospitals rise up from the ground by it selves? The money has to come from somewhere. And in Norway that somewhere is from two main sources; taxes and oil!

Income tax upwards to 48%, tax on goods and products somewhere between 25% and up to 150% for some products like alcohol, tobacco and cars. $400 a year just to have a car registered, $7 per gallon of gas, $3 to $20 passing thru a toll booth (“toll” is a Norwegian word btw) around every major city centers and many bridges and tunnels. Driving from Moss to Larvik (two small towns south of Oslo, about 40mi distance) cost no less than $34 one way! A glass of beer is $9 and upwards. A house outside a city starts at $300.000. In Oslo you only get a small apartment for that. A Golf 1.4l entry level cost about $35.000 and up to $100.000. Yes, for a VW Golf! These are just few examples of how we pay for “free” healthcare in Norway. And don’t forget that oil income is a BIG contributor to everything “free” in Norway. Without it we would have paid even more!

Does Americans in general know how expensive “free” healthcare really is? Does Bernie Sanders and other politicians tell you this?

So, it’s not free. But is it any good? It’s not bad nor good. Most doctors do a good job, but waiting time for surgery can be months and in some cases years. The hospitals are sometimes old and need rehabilitation. There are sometimes few hospital beds and sometimes you will lay in a bed in a hallway in lack off rooms. I would rather pay less in tax and more for insurance so I could choose for my self what is the best healthcare for me and my family. In Norway the government choose that for you, if you like it or not.

The best and worst thing with democracy is that every man has the right to an opinion.

Hi, I'm new to Mingle2. I'm living in Norway at the moment but would like to get some friends from US.

I'm interested in politics, technology and travel.

- I still think Trump was the better of two bad choices.

- My best travels has been to Israel (love the weather and the people) and Svalbard (love the weather and the lack of people).

My best motto is; do whatever you like, but not if it is bad for others.

Difficult to say. There will always be guns and there will always be shooting of innocent People.

I can't say if it better to carry a gun or not. But just for fun, take a look at this Youtube clip from Norwegian police arresting a drunk man.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1PNPcnffbk&t=1s

Well said.

And about there I stopped Reading any further. Making fool of other people with different opinion than yourself. Isn't it great to always know best?

Yes, i it's possible to see northern light in most part of northern Norway in clear and cold nights.

Big boobs, lots of money and a hang for broke fat guys ;)

In just the last couple of days I've got a few messages from girls with lovely faces and hot bodies. Yes I know I'm a real handsome Viking , but when 24 year old model looking girls ask for my mail address before anything else, then it's a bit suspicious, isn't it?

Do you have similar experiences?

300... kgs!

Love workout in the gym. Running and cycling, both cross country and road. Skiing too, but I live in the south were it is less snow and no mountains.

But ask me to join, and I'll do whatever sports there is :)

First of all, there is a big differences being sad and have a depression. Having a period of sadness is often more good than bad. Nietzsche once said "That which does not kill you makes you stronger". That is one of my favorite quotes. And it's certainly true. Without periods in life being sad and "Blue", it's difficult to really praise the good times. Don't you agree?

But being depressive is quite different. And in severe causes it can kill you. When you stop seeing friends, stop have interest in anything and start thinking about quitting your life, then you must contact a doctor!

Good therapy and the right medicine will help many.

My self have a mood disorder and I used to really struggle in life. I've lost a few girlfriends because of that. It was difficult for them when I got in those depressive modes. Therapy didn't really helped either. In my case it had nothing to do with not coping with life. It was a chemical imbalance in my brain. Today the right medicine really helps and I can for sure say that my life is better than ever. No more mood swings and depressive periods. Just the normal ups and downs we all have.

Still, an active life helps a lot too. Workouts five to seven times a week really makes a difference.

No, don't really watch. I would like to, though. But the time difference results in staying up in the middle of the night. When I turn on the radio in the morning, the news spoils the results.

But love that little Norway does it very well :)

Ever been curious about the icy land of the north?

Beautifully blond girls?
Polar bears in the streets?
The fjords?
The mountains?
Oil?
Salmon?
Healthcare?


Ask me any question and I'll try to answer as good as I can. I've lived there for about 46 years, so I know a little ;)