Politics Today

[Suzi & The Banned Cheese]

AU
What about somewhere like Denmark which has significant government involvement in the economy?

Denmark has extremely high personal/corporate taxation , but has a stable economy and consistently scores at the top or near the top of the world happiness ratings.

It also has a lot less inequality compared to the UK or US.

 

[Suzi & The Banned Cheese]

"According to the World Happiness Report,[7] Denmark ranks among the top two in terms of happiness, indicating a general contentedness with the state's welfare state and the benefits provided. The World Happiness Report also states that happiness is correlated to social equality. The official Denmark website remarks that "most Danes will tell you that they are happy to pay taxes because they can see what they get in return," including free tuition, healthcare, and social security.

 

[angelic upstart]

AU
What about somewhere like Denmark which has significant government involvement in the economy?

Denmark has extremely high personal/corporate taxation , but has a stable economy and consistently scores at the top or near the top of the world happiness ratings.

It also has a lot less inequality compared to the UK or US.

To be even slightly like Denmark, the UK would need a sea, no an ocean change in outlook and how we do things for 20/30 years prior to even considering moving to their way of doing things. In the UK, the only God we have is money.

Do I like what the Scandinavians do? Yes.
Is it possible to implement in the UK in my lifetime? No.

 

[Oldsmobile-88]

"According to the World Happiness Report,[7] Denmark ranks among the top two in terms of happiness, indicating a general contentedness with the state's welfare state and the benefits provided. The World Happiness Report also states that happiness is correlated to social equality. The official Denmark website remarks that "most Danes will tell you that they are happy to pay taxes because they can see what they get in return," including free tuition, healthcare, and social security.

That may be so...It is not utopia.*

Most in this country are happy to pay tax & have a social conscience where social security & free healthcare is concerned.

*

Denmark could face legal action over attempts to return Syrian refugees

Rights groups say other European countries could follow, as Danish authorities use a report that deems Damascus safe to deny residency status

www.theguardian.com

 

[Suzi & The Banned Cheese]

That may be so...It is not utopia.*

Most in this country are happy to pay tax & have a social conscience where social security & free healthcare is concerned.

*

Denmark could face legal action over attempts to return Syrian refugees

Rights groups say other European countries could follow, as Danish authorities use a report that deems Damascus safe to deny residency status

www.theguardian.com

Your point about refugees shouldn't distract from the more important point that high taxes and higher spending can be an effective way to run a country.

 

[Grecian2K]

What a lovely bunch they are!
People have a ‘right’ to elect racists and misogynists, says Tory MP (msn.com)
Isn't democracy wonderful...unless you're a "lefty" of course (self-loathing or otherwise) Then the Heil, Torygraph and Snoreaway S*n will be right on your case.

 

[Hermann]

A different by-election result, with Labour taking Marine from the Conservatives, with a big old swing as well. Cons also lose control of Worthing Council. Significant because the Conservatives lost votes despite UKIP disappearing and there not really being a right-wing alternative. Labour appeared to pick up the UKIP vote, as well as (maybe tactical) votes from LD and Green.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1466729259033104389

 

[Oldsmobile-88]

Your point about refugees shouldn't distract from the more important point that high taxes and higher spending can be an effective way to run a country.

The UK spends 12.8 % of GDP on Health Care.
Denmark 10.1 % at 2020 numbers
The fiscal black hole that is the NHS budget is set to get bigger next year.
44% of all government spending by 2024 will be on the NHS.Without serious reform that figure will rise.

 

[Suzi & The Banned Cheese]

OLDS, Your point is a useful one , the UK's ageing population means that there is a shrinking proportion of the population earning wages that pay for the NHS.

The NHS has a ever increasing demands upon it due to people living longer, we therefore need a sizeable influx of workers from abroad to replenish and increase our working-age population.

We need more immigration not less.

 

[angelic upstart]

OLDS, Your point is a useful one , the UK's ageing population means that there is a shrinking proportion of the population earning wages that pay for the NHS.

The NHS has a ever increasing demands upon it due to people living longer, we therefore need a sizeable influx of workers from abroad to replenish and increase our working-age population.

We need more immigration not less.

Couple points -

1) (Not related to the above) I was surprised to read that Danish taxes are roughly 5% higher than the UK when totalled up.

2) related to the above. Where does it end though? We would need more and more workers just to prop up the larger and larger elderly population.

Surely a better way to look at things would be to improve education standards, improve mental health and drug services, and rehab in prisons so the jobless in the UK work first. Ensure workers are paid enough, they don't need in work benefits just to survive.