tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162236797791629080.post7729358001219709330..comments2023-05-01T01:00:51.799-07:00Comments on I Like Sparkly Objects: The Penal System: USA vs NorwayAmihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00880759209065460946noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162236797791629080.post-27491028354170095502011-09-20T14:07:59.328-07:002011-09-20T14:07:59.328-07:00Wow thanks for your comments Lori! I really apprec...Wow thanks for your comments Lori! I really appreciate the perspective. Not sure exactly where she gets her numbers but thats what she was telling me the other day.Amihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00880759209065460946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162236797791629080.post-61446105888014773362011-09-20T03:24:23.772-07:002011-09-20T03:24:23.772-07:00Ami,
As you might know - I lived in Norway for tw...Ami,<br /><br />As you might know - I lived in Norway for two years. I don't know how your friend is getting away with 30% taxes - we (rather Garys company) paid over 70% in taxes and that was typical for how much Gary was making ... Thus all the government programs.<br /><br />Also - Norway is a relatively new country, having been under the rule of Sweden until 1905 and are fiercely independent, good people. Crime is almost unheard of there and most murders are solved because the one who killed walks into the police station and confesses having real remorse. That is why this latest senseless killing was so odd - it is totally inconceivable to Norwegians that one of their own is capable of that sort of thing.<br /><br />My Norwegian friends were so lost, not having a clue how to process what had happened ... That was something that happened other places - but not here ... Never here. They are having a hard time with that 21 years maximum sentence now, also.<br /><br />Norway was a very poor, humble country with it's citizens treated almost as second class citizens while under the rule of Sweden, and had many times in their history been invaded an taken over by one group or another. They never had a big army, didn't fight, just adapted to who ever had conquered them that time ... And were survivors.<br /><br />That all changed In the late 1960's when oil was discovered in their waters and now are a ridiculously wealthy country - using the monies earned from their newfound petroleum industry for health care, higher education and generously contributing to the United Nations and countries in need, but the bulk of the monies made is saved and held in reserve for future generations.<br /><br />Living there was very interesting and there is a lot to be said about a socialist society when done right. They seem to be healthy, intelligent, happy people and fiercely proud of their heritage. Other than the fact that Norway is one of the most expensive places to live - I had nothing but good things to say about Norway and Norwegians ...except<br /><br />... They are THE MOST xenophobic people I have ever known or even heard of. Discrimination is a given and if you are not a Norwegian ! Good luck having anyone hire you (except in situations like Gary). They are losing their younger population (thus the money paid to families per child) to other countries because if a person marries someone who is not Norwegian, it is impossible for them to live in Norway since the Non-Norwegian spouse will most likely never be hired HUGELY discriminatory and they as a country know they are like this - the newspapers are full of stories about the problems associated with being such a xenophobic country - yet nothing seems to change it ... <br /><br />Other than that I totally fell in love with Norway and it's people ... But then, again - that 70% tax rate money was not coming directly out of my pocket - so we had all the fun without having to worry about the financial end of things ... What could be funner?Lori Hursthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17787352107160726982noreply@blogger.com