To think if you want to be “like Denmark”...

[SachaStark]

... then you have to be prepared to vote and pay taxes like the Danish?

I keep reading these comparisons on here, particularly regarding the re-opening of Danish schools, and seeing posters cry out for, “being like Denmark.”

But ultimately, things like this are easier (though not easy) for countries like Denmark which benefit hugely from high taxation. Hence why their schools can be better prepared, and they have a greater number of well-maintained public spaces to utilise for COVID-related reasons.

AIBU to think that if you want to be more like Denmark, then you should be realigning your thinking to agree with, for example, income tax rates of 45%, in order to create a country with excellent public services, like Denmark?

Hang on. I thought the reason for stripped public services here in the UK wasn't low tax levels, but an ideologically driven policy of austerity? And that the government could fully fund excellent services if it wanted to?

We are culturally completely different from Denmark. I visited it 2 years ago and was so struck by how a sense of equality was baked into the consciousness of the place.

I'd love to live like that: just no fear of your stuff being stolen (people just left their bikes unlocked).

Everyone was so happy and friendly it almost made me feel sad. Taxes are high but quality of life is amazing.

We can't be like them automatically but I'd love to start the process of trying our attitudes to "success".

Taxes in Denmark aren’t necessarily higher. They don’t have a one size fits all. For example, you get a huge reduction if you have children etc - your expenses are taken into account. Also they get real services in exchange for their taxes: no waiting lists or 3rd world treatment at dentist, short waiting lists in hospital, same day doctors appointments, excellent sports facilities etc. sometimes it’s not about how much you pay but what you get for your taxes.

Taxes are high but quality of life is amazing.

I think most would be in favour of this. I fear the high taxes & still bad quality of life approach!

The population of Denmark is 5.7 million. The population of London is 9 million. The population of the UK is 67 million. The welfare states of Northern Europe have seen the rise of nationalist parties with anti immigration policies. Particularly in relation to access to welfare.

Despite a reputation for progressive politics, humanitarianism and a generous welfare state, Denmark has some of the most aggressive anti-immigrant policies in Europe. That has included taking out foreign-newspaper adverts warning potential migrants that they are not welcome, and authorizing police to seize cash and valuables from arriving asylum seekers to offset the cost of their maintenance. By pitting some of Denmark’s long-held values against others, the subject of immigration has not merely divided Denmark, but turned a demographic crisis into an existential one. What, these days, does it mean to be Danish

I'd love to live like that: just no fear of your stuff being stolen (people just left their bikes unlocked)

I was amazed by this one of the times I was there. I got the bus between two towns about an hour apart that went through a rural area. Each time the bus stopped I saw a few bikes leant up against the wall next to the bus stop.

Evidently people would ride from their house to the bus stop and leave their bike at the bus stop, unlocked and expect it to be still there several hours later when they came back from work or wherever. Can anyone imagine doing that in the UK?

time.com/5504331/denmark-migrants-lindholm-island/

From the article Bovary X posted:

“But the intent here, and people will say it outright, is ‘yes, we are doing this to frighten people away from Denmark.’”

And

"Stojberg, a member of the same Liberal Party as the Prime Minister (and which forms part of the conservative bloc in parliament), has adopted an almost gleeful attitude toward migration restrictions. She celebrated the passage of the 50th anti-immigration law with a cake, posting a photo on social media, and published an editorial in a national newspaper in which she suggested that Muslims bus drivers and hospital workers who fasted during Ramadan might pose a safety risk to Danish society.

But hey, as long as you can leave your bike unlocked

BovaryX

Don’t believe anything you read!

This is a old article with suggestions from the former government. We now have a Social Democratic government.

And in regards far right people in Denmark I hope you know that these idiots are unfortunately everywhere.

We want Scandinavian levels of public service with US levels of taxation.

Been like this forever, doubt it'll ever change.

Very frustrating

I couldn’t understand why people was collecting money for the NSH in UK and my English husband had to explain why that was needed

It doesn't sound like he explained it properly tbh, the money being raised was for NHS charities, not the NHS

The 'progressive' welfare state stereotype of Northern Europe? That is experiencing a paradigm shift....

Inger Støjberg do not represent the majority of Danish people’s opinion- maybe that’s why she and her party lost the election last June

@CopenhagenMummy

So there are no restrictions on access to welfare for refugees?

I'm happy living here, and the quality of life is certainly better than when I moved away to London, but we're not perfect. Plenty of people have an issue with immigrants. The government has done well with the COVID-19 response, but the PM is in favour of strict rules on immigration. The government is centre-left. This isn't some utopia.

Happy to pay my taxes though. Education with no tuition and the level of medical care is worth it.

I don’t claim to be an expert but I know that refugees coming here will get help. There are things Denmark as a country could do better for refugees. There is restrictions for benefits for Danes and new Danes.

Agree. The British want the European social model while paying US levels of tax.
It is called 'having your cake and eating it' - the kind of bullshit that comes out of Johnsons mouth and is echoed by the Government supported press.
Is it any wonder people are confused when they are misled from the top?

Let's not mention the gehto estates in the segments around Copenhagen. Maybe the violence around Christiana, or the fact you will not see a more homegeous capital city in Europe as a direct result of imigaration policies or the cost base that makes freedom of movement so difficult. Tell me this, if it is such a great place why is it not a choice for east west work migration as per UK and other Countries? Every EU citizen has a right to work and live there, so why do they not in any great numbers?

The population of Denmark is smaller than the population of London. Its high tax, cradle to grave welfare paradigm is predicated upon a small, stable population. The immigration of the last five years has resulted in anti immigration policies becoming mainstream. Specifically in relation to access to welfare. I wonder what its fans in the UK would think if UK politicians were promoting these policies?

it doesn't sound like he explained it properly tbh, the money being raised was for NHS charities, not the NHS

why would a national service, paid for by the nationals tax have charities associated with it?

It's the same people as want our schools back at any cost, coz they can't stand being at home with their kids.
Didn't Denmark have fewer than 600 cases? It's just not comparable it's like comparing apples to pears.
We've lost more lives in the UK than any European country, and our gov should be ashamed, but they'd rather line the pockets of their fat rich mates.

@BovaryX
This
Anyone can visit and make up their own mind. It doesn't take long, I can assure you.

Didn't Denmark have fewer than 600 cases? It's just not comparable it's like comparing apples to pears.

I agree the two countries aren't comparable. But we've had a lot more than 600 cases. As of today, it's 11,000+ (which is still low, but it isn't 600)

www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/denmark/

If Denmark is your utopia then You have had since 1992 to move to there. So unless you have just turned 18 this year Why did you not go?

why would a national service, paid for by the nationals tax have charities associated with it?

To do things not necessarily fundable by taxes, eg : www.nhscharitiestogether.co.uk/blog/