Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
“Yes, we are the most contented people. Regular workers pay on average
50 percent taxes—big shots pay up to 70 percent. Of course, we expect and we
get a good value for our taxes. We've had national healthcare since the 1930s.
We know nothing else. If I don't like the shape of my nose, I pay to i x that.
But all my basic health needs are taken care of. Here in Denmark, all educa-
tion is free. And our taxes even provide university students with $800 a month
for living expenses for up to six years. We Danes believe a family's economic
status should have nothing to do with two fundamental rights: the quality of
their healthcare or the quality of the education their children receive. I believe
you in America pay triple per person what we pay as a society for healthcare.
Your system may be better for business…but ours is better for people. Per-
haps a major negative consequence of our socialism is that since Danes are so
accustomed to everything being taken care of by the government, we may not
be very helpful or considerate towards each other when in need.”
When I saw a tombstone store with
Tak for Alt
(“h anks for Every-
thing”) pre-carved into each headstone, I i gured it was a message from the
dearly departed after enjoying a very blessed life in Denmark. But I asked a
Dane, and learned that it's a message from the living bidding their loved one
farewell (similar to our “Rest in Peace”). Still, I think when a Dane dies, it's
a good message from both sides:
Tak for Alt.
Living Large While Living Small
An interesting side ef ect of the Danish system is that sky-high taxes make
things so costly that people consume more sparingly. h e society seems designed
in a way that encourages people to use less, waste less, chew slower, appreci-
ate more, and just sip things. A glass of beer can cost $10. A cup of cof ee
can run $7—and rei lls are unheard of. A big box economy à la Wal-Mart
is just not very Danish. I think Danes know they could make more money
if they embraced the “Big Gulp” track and started super-sizing things. But
the collective decision is based on what's good for the fabric of their society
rather than what's good for the economy.
One example that's obvious to any visitor is cars...or the lack thereof.
Figuring in registration fees and sales tax, Denmark levies a nearly 200 per-
cent tax on new automobiles. So to buy one car, you have to pay for three
cars. As a result, throughout Denmark, a third dimension zips along silently
between pedestrians and drivers: Danish bikers. With so many bikes, trai c
congestion and pollution are reduced, parked cars don't clog the streets, and
