Image by mj007 from http://123rf.com

The number of people in this country leaning towards a desire for ‘democratic socialism” is growing.  It is a pretty word with pretty ideas. American politicians today who are associated with democratic socialism generally favor New Deal-style programs, believing that government is a force for good in people’s lives and that a large European-style welfare state can exist in a capitalist society. They generally support ideas such as labor reform and pro-union policies, tuition-free public universities and trade schools, universal healthcare, federal jobs programs, fair taxation that closes loopholes that the wealthiest citizens have found, and using taxes on the rich and corporations to pay for social welfare programs.  The whole concept is not a new idea and has been around since at least the 1960s injecting its influence wherever it could mostly in systems of higher education. It took a while but it is in full throttle now choking whatever it can out of the American Mindset.

What democratic socialists want is closer to what exists in Scandinavia or Iceland, expanding what Europeans talk about — a large welfare state in a capitalist society. – Michael Kazan, professor of History at Georgetown University and editor of Dissent magazine as well as a former member of Students for a Democratic Society, a group associated with democratic socialism during the 1960s.

Let’s take a look at that last statement closely and the reasoning therein. Democratic Socialist LOVE to cite Scandinavia as example and if you take a first glance and listen to the advocates it sounds quite marvelous but it might be wiser to listen to someone who actually lives there after transitioning from here to there:

By Renee Gabriella, Educator:

I moved to Sweden with my 3 children predominantly for financial reasons, as my Swedish husband earned more, and my work was quite flexible. At first I loved what I saw - free education, beautiful and abundant nature even in the cities, well designed communities with plenty of free facilities, many free community activities and a strong commitment to sustainability.

However after living here a few years I began to notice that some things are very wrong and Sweden is not the paradise it appears to be at first glance. Here is my list of the biggest issues as I see them:

• Firstly, there is no consumer choice. Generic and expensive goods line the same few large supermarket type shops. Small business is virtually nonexistent aside from the awful pizza/kebab, Asian food or hotdog/ hamburger stalls run by entrepreneurial immigrants. Customer service and special requests are also nonexistent. Innovation, warmth, product knowledge and creativity are strongly lacking in the commercial sector.
• Immigrants are welcomed, with racism frowned upon harshly, however once these immigrants arrive they are segregated off away from the native Swedes, unable to find employment and unable to navigate the endless complex rule systems with strong risks of being persecuted by the social services. The ‘welcoming’ Swedes don’t allow their children to set foot in immigrant suburbs or schools, and wonder why there is very little integration happening.
• Swedish people are very unfriendly, closed minded and conforming. It is almost impossible to form close friendships.
• Winter is like hell. The first few months feel cozy and the snow is beautiful, but eventually the darkness, cold and boredom start wearing you down.
• There are endless trivial rules which are harshly enforced. I wanted to get my license in Sweden, but ticked a box on the license form which asked about health issues. I have had declining kidney function (very irrelevant to driving) so I noted it down. I was unable to get a license (I have been driving 15 years, but my Australian license is not recognized here after the first year) because I needed a certificate from a kidney specialist. I was unable to be referred to a kidney specialist because my kidney function is not severely declined. When attempting to fix the issue - rules are rules, and that’s simply the way it is. The issue is unable to be resolved so I am allowed to drive in neighboring countries, but not here. Attempting to live here is filled with many similar incredibly frustrating experiences. Banks won’t let you open an account except on weekday mornings, but don’t let you know that until you have waited in a queue for several hours. There is no other option even if you work or study on weekday mornings, and nobody cares. Every simple process is a bureaucratic nightmare
• Whilst at first I believed the free schools, childcare and medical services were a great family friendly policy, on closer interaction in the system I realized this is a system of control and incompetence which is not leading to positive outcomes. Firstly, everyone is expected to take their children to daycare and go to work. There is no freedom of choice to look after your children, homeschool or rear your children according to your beliefs and values. Children are informed about endless rights, and have no obligations to behave in a respectful manner. Parents are powerless, teachers are powerless and getting an education in a Swedish school is a debacle of children on phones and talking during class, swearing at teachers, abusing and bullying each other and any form of punishment towards unruly children is disallowed. School is somewhat reminiscent of lord of the flies.
• Police are useless - except with regard to prosecuting minor crimes such as parking fines. Fewer than 3% of crimes are solved, reports are filed but never investigated - even with matters which are taken very seriously in the rest of the world such as violent crime and rape.
• Whilst medical care is generally free to low cost, the wait times are insane. It could be 3 weeks to see your GP (too bad if the matter is urgent) and 10 months to see a specialist. Specialists are allowed to refuse referrals, and if you have a chronic illness you are likely in the wrong country.

Also:

Simon Johnson, also a resident:

Swedes pay very high taxes. States propaganda have to convince them that they got value for their money. They are taught from the childhood that they live in the best country in the world and this is keeping all the time in the schools and newspapers.

Just like in the Soviet Union propaganda taught people to believe that communism is the best system in the world and many believed in very long time until the very disastrous end. Imagine how would you feel knowing that you pay high taxes and you get nothing good for that?

Starting to sound familiar? A little like what is starting to happen here?

Blivastu, lives in Sweden (1990-present)

Healthcare is very slow. You have to lie that you are in pain to get an appointment with a specialist. Things are very expensive. When I travel abroad I often feel that things are cheap compared to home. There is a subtle racism in Sweden. You experience it when looking for a job. If you have a skilled based degree, like a doctor, nurse, dentist etc., your Swedish batch mates will have loads of interviews while you and your foreign Swede mate are not going to get invited to interviews.

John Svensson, lived in Sweden:

Sweden is one of few countries in the world that still trust that the state will take care of you. While other countries have seen how that goes down, Sweden has not yet reached the point when they started to abuse the power. But it's frightening that they can, because your personal number system is nothing but a way for the state to know what you do, when you do it. Swedes have traded convenience for privacy. It's not until you're outside the box that you will see how fucked you are.

So much for that Utopian Society people desire.

Nothing will ever be for free but somehow those talented manipulators of the mind are starting to convince the masses that the exact opposite is true. You’ll pay and pay and pay in more ways than one and you will never extricate yourself from that hell bound trap of control. Your individuality and freedom of choice will be gone. You won’t be free, period. You’ll be a cog in the wheel and nothing more. I suppose for some who are lazy, have no personal ethics or human drive this is the perfect solution. “The government will take care of me.” “I don’t have to compete with anyone else because we’ll all be equal.” “I can finally be carefree.” Really? Better wake up.

I hear people argue and snicker saying, “Well, it wouldn’t be that way here.” Why wouldn’t it be? Do you honestly believe this country still has those kind of standards? Socialism is Socialism is Socialism and no matter how you want to dress it up, it is Communism in its most devastating form and dehumanizing form.  And trust me, if that’s what you want, that’s what you’ll get. Probably times ten.

Enjoy living and loving in Stepford where you’ll be married to the political machine.

Come back and tell me how that’s workin’ for ya.

Quoted responses from:

https://www.quora.com/What-are-some-of-the-worst-things-about-living-in-Sweden