tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817835476996956670.post3378245558191364485..comments2024-03-12T09:44:18.874-07:00Comments on Howling Frog Books: The Nordic Theory of EverythingJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14247515387599954817noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817835476996956670.post-21612117480453551322017-12-13T03:05:46.356-08:002017-12-13T03:05:46.356-08:00I think we need to recognize that the principle of...I think we need to recognize that the principle of cutthroat competition in the economic realm, through which we are all connected to one another, is simply a dead end. It needs to be replaced by the principle of brotherhood, of recognizing that life works best when we meet one another's needs on a basic subsistence level. This is neither religious "charity" nor socialism but simply pragmatic common sense. We have to realize we all share this small planet and if we fight over it we'll destroy it. <br /><br />How to do that, I have no idea, but seems pretty plain that Plan A is not working. Seems as though the citizens of these small countries have in some measure figured that out, but the rest of us are far behind.Loryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08519976394732029323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817835476996956670.post-81508980316587238232017-12-12T18:20:02.449-08:002017-12-12T18:20:02.449-08:00Also, Denmark is great! And you should go! I'...Also, Denmark is great! And you should go! I'll go with you! :D There are lots of neat things to do.Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14247515387599954817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817835476996956670.post-30820664906211695832017-12-12T18:18:58.529-08:002017-12-12T18:18:58.529-08:00I don't think we should frame it that way at a...I don't think we should frame it that way at all. This gets into what are usually called negative vs. positive rights, and I tend to fall on the side of negative rights being actual rights, whereas positive rights are things that we would really like everybody to have, but they're not, in fact, *rights.* A right is something you're born with, that can only be taken from you by force or oppression. I have a natural right to free speech, and somebody can only stop me from using that right by using force on me. <br /><br />But health care isn't a right; it's not something I was born with, that is a natural part of being human. Most humans have never had good health care, and not because somebody took it away from them by oppressive means. It's a great thing to have, and I want everybody to have good health care, but it's not a right, and when it's framed that way I think it really muddles things up. I think it's OK to not frame it as a right, but as a general good that a strong society makes sure that its citizens have.Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14247515387599954817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817835476996956670.post-82667937046606812162017-12-12T14:20:50.735-08:002017-12-12T14:20:50.735-08:00"Charity involves opening your own wallet.&qu..."Charity involves opening your own wallet."<br /><br />I think once we in the US answer the question, Is healthcare a right or a privilege? we'll know what to do. It sounds like Finland and other Nordic countries have already answered it :)<br /><br />I really like your review of this book Jean, 1., because I have been hearing so much about hygge lately and 2., Denmark is on my "I hope to get there someday" list!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817835476996956670.post-2028515620053013362017-12-09T22:10:21.280-08:002017-12-09T22:10:21.280-08:00I've heard that it's very difficult to imm...I've heard that it's very difficult to immigrate to Finland, which is probably why their society is more cohesive and easier to manage that the U.S. or Canada, for that matter. This book sounds fascinating. I'm definitely going to try to get my hands on it.Cleohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13152128642971612433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817835476996956670.post-62156810673585532512017-12-08T16:07:36.176-08:002017-12-08T16:07:36.176-08:00I have no idea! But Finnish is a tough language t...I have no idea! But Finnish is a tough language to learn.<br /><br />My kid has a friend who thinks it would be a good plan to move to DK and live in Odense, where there is a small university and tech jobs. He figures everybody speaks English, so why learn Danish? This is not a super plan IMO. And Danish is pretty easy, except for the fiendish pronunciation.Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14247515387599954817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817835476996956670.post-38846364738498046462017-12-07T14:26:42.919-08:002017-12-07T14:26:42.919-08:00How open is Finland to new immigrants? Is it an ea...How open is Finland to new immigrants? Is it an easy process? Expensive? I'm asking for a friend. ; )Ruth @ with freedom and bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15531827758868215023noreply@blogger.com