“In Denmark – my favorite country – they are the happiest people in the world,” declared Joy Behar on “The View” September 23rd. They’ve come a long way since Hamlet.
Why are the Danes so contented? Could it be all that Havarti and herring? The satisfaction of knowing that their ancestors plundered and pillaged the entire North Atlantic? No. According to Behar, the Danes wear the smile of socialism.
“The reason that they’re so happy is because they don’t worry about health care,” she explained. “They don’t worry about sending their kids to college because everything’s paid for.”
It appears Behar was referring to the 2008 World Values Survey that asked 350,000 citizens of 97 different countries two questions:
1. Taking all things together, would you say you are very happy, rather happy, not very happy, or not at all happy?
2. All things considered, how satisfied are you with your life as a whole these days?
While it’s true that Denmark was ranked the happiest country in the world, Behar’s premise – that universal health care and “free” tuition put a spring in the Danish step – is false.
For example, Ukraine, which also has universal health care, barely scraped by at number 95. Other countries with universal health care include: Bulgaria, ranked 92; Georgia, ranked 91; Russia, ranked 89; Romania, ranked 88.
What about “free” college? First off, it’s not free. The Danes pay the highest taxes in the world at 48.4%. Secondly, 12 of the 27 E.U. countries have no tuition fees, so it’s not that unique. Those tuition-free countries include: Poland, ranked 52; the Czech Republic, ranked 53; and Slovakia, ranked 75.
What’s more, Denmark’s Scandinavian neighbors, Finland, Norway and Sweden boast both “free” college tuition and universal healthcare. Yet their happiness rankings are 25, 19 and 14, respectively.
If Joy had read the actual study, she would have discovered that “the most important determinant of happiness is the extent to which people have free choice in how to live their lives.” Not universal health care and “free” college.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Dim, Dimmer, Dimmest...
September 24, 2009 - 13:59 ET by FuzzlenutterThis woman sure is the dimmest bulb in the entire gross...
Only the kamikazi media could seriously give voice to this
September 24, 2009 - 14:22 ET by jazbofat, stupid cow.
"Democrats; Breeding voters like farm animals since 1962"
Walters Called her Intelligent and Courageous
September 24, 2009 - 14:58 ET by allanfyet she compares a homogenous nation of about 5.59 million to a heterogenous behemoth of 300 million. Demark has a highly educated population which depends and depends on trade with other nations for its wealth.
It is lunacy to compare Denmark to the United States.
Republicans always note the
September 24, 2009 - 16:59 ET by Barry BondsRepublicans always note the fact that we are not "homogeneous" as to why we can't achieve any notable social goals.
Methinks a perfect Republican world is a world devoid of any color.
→ Again with the color
September 24, 2009 - 17:05 ET by Cool ArrowRacist!
Mr. Bonds
September 24, 2009 - 17:24 ET by allanfThat is a bizzare statement.
→ Not really
September 24, 2009 - 17:29 ET by Cool Arrowscroll up. Where in the posts immediately preceding Barry's, do you find "color" as pertains to race?
Barry jumped in, seeing an opportunity for a racist derail, and I pointed it out.
Not bizarre at all. He accused me of lying about voting for Hillary in another thread.
I'm sure he doesn't expect respect. He's certainly sold his right to it.
Behar Silliness
September 24, 2009 - 17:34 ET by allanfBehar could have used Beverly Hills or the Upper West Side instead of Denmark as her example of societies with high standards of living. The point she missed is that it won't scale. It is not racial.
→ Sorry allanf
September 24, 2009 - 17:43 ET by Cool ArrowHomogenous and Heterogenous are terms with meaning only when specific properties are applied, not implied.
Homogenous could mean a tight grouping of political thought, and it could mean a tight grouping of people with similar foot sizes (although male - female sort of requires a bimodal distribution)
Nobody said "homogenous by race". Barry was free to make his association, and I was free to call him on it.
Ahem~~
September 24, 2009 - 17:48 ET by BKeyser...almost done.
→ I'm ready Keyser
September 24, 2009 - 17:51 ET by Cool ArrowI've been clicking back every once in awhile.
I had to run out for a while there
September 24, 2009 - 17:55 ET by BKeyserI'll be uploading soon. I'll get with ya.
Barry
September 24, 2009 - 18:47 ET by allanfI meant a homogenious social structure. Race never occured to me. But perhaps Barry thinks that way?
Youthinks wrong, Barry
September 24, 2009 - 17:36 ET by FeynmanFanThe reference is to America's reputation as a melting pot and has nothing to do with race.
"Reason and persuasion are the only practical instruments against error. To make way for these, free inquiry must be indulged" - Thomas Jefferson
“'In Denmark – my
September 24, 2009 - 14:00 ET by R D Helm“'In Denmark – my favorite country – they are the happiest people in the world,” declared Joy Behar...'"
Fine, Joy, then why don't you move there?
We won't mind. Honest. :-)
-Dave
I agree with Rush. It's time for Obama to resign.
But,Dave,
September 24, 2009 - 14:14 ET by Chris NormanIf she moved there, they no longer would be the "happiest people in the world"... :)
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
Chris,
September 24, 2009 - 14:26 ET by R D HelmLOL-Hey, nothing lasts forever.
-Dave
I agree with Rush. It's time for Obama to resign.
Also..If she moved
September 24, 2009 - 14:44 ET by mattmAlso..If she moved there,..there'd be something else rotten...
Hahahahahahahaha
September 24, 2009 - 21:49 ET by GecksSPLOOGE ALERT!!!!!!
Gecks
"Your right to Life, Liberty, and the Persuit of Happiness ends at my front door, and my wallet!"-Me!
"because everything’s
September 24, 2009 - 19:12 ET by kg"because everything’s paid for"
Paid for by the people. College is not like college in the US. It is more of a trade school for all professions. Free? Income tax starts at 50% for the poor and goes way up from there. Sales tax on cars are 100% and more. Mortgages loans span 120 years. Gas is over $8 a gallon. She should realize nothing is paid for except by the people.
"DumbAssity of Dope"
With all those
September 24, 2009 - 14:01 ET by MaximusBraveheartWith all those counter-facts pointed out so clearly here, you can see the socialist media types will twist "facts" to support their freedom-robbing socialist agenda. M-B
And CNN..
September 24, 2009 - 14:04 ET by sam12663...gave this clueless, loudmouth buffoon her own show. Hey CNN, is it any wonder your networks have zero ratings. You get what you deserve.
President Obama is nothing more than a lying empty suit; a Hollywood style special effects smoke and mirrors show that has shown itself to be a total fraud.
WAKE UP AMERICA! SAVE OUR CONSTITUTION!
geepers
September 24, 2009 - 14:06 ET by katainkenttakes half their paycheck, paid for college and medical...
the entire country of denmark is living in their parents basement?
____________________________________________
The Emperor, he has no clothes
And there is nothing worse
September 24, 2009 - 14:42 ET by Barry BondsAnd there is nothing worse than families sticking together to help each other get through life.
There's nothing worse
September 24, 2009 - 14:46 ET by FeynmanFanThere's nothing worse when the reason they're doing it is because the government confiscates so much of their earnings that they can't afford to pay for their own homes.
"Reason and persuasion are the only practical instruments against error. To make way for these, free inquiry must be indulged" - Thomas Jefferson
oh boy
September 24, 2009 - 14:54 ET by katainkentif that is your interpretation of living in your parents basement then I feel sorry for your parents. If my post-college child was still living in my basement I'd reassess my parenting ability. Paying someone else to take care of you is essentially hiring someone to be your nanny. I want no part of that. I am not coughing up 50% of my income so I can be cared for as the state sees fit.
If it sounds good to you, there are many options.
Another swing and a miss
September 24, 2009 - 15:00 ET by ckc1227Another swing and a miss from loser boy barry.
sniff...sniff
September 24, 2009 - 15:52 ET by jdlybrandI smell troll poontang!
"What a revoltin' development this is!"
Chester Riley
Happy People
September 24, 2009 - 16:29 ET by Big WallyWho dare not make a joke about Islam!
Folks we are in trouble "Mark Levin"
If she promised to use it,
September 24, 2009 - 14:13 ET by BuffNBoneIf she promised to use it, I'd help contribute to a one-way ticket for her.
"Fighters are fun but bombers make policy"
I wonder about the free
September 24, 2009 - 14:16 ET by Dan The Man 2I wonder about the free tution in colleges. Does any yoyo off the street get free tuition after all any school is a finite commodity so it stands to reason there are certain goals to be met. We in the USA also have "free" tuition to colleges and I would imagine more people in the USA get free tuition than in Denmark. As far as Denmark being the country she loves, I say lets buy her a one way ticket with the poviso she never comes back.
Strict Standards and Tests. . .
September 24, 2009 - 14:20 ET by Carolyn PlocherFrom what I've read, apparently it's getting more and more difficult to get into a "free" college over there because of the strict standards and tests. These "free" colleges are sounding a lot like something in the U.S.: if you have a high GPA and score well on tests, you'll get in for "free" (aka scholarships and grants).
I did a little research and
September 24, 2009 - 14:37 ET by Dan The Man 2I did a little research and it appears college is not free as there are particpatory fees. Read it here. So TANSTFL theory is in full force there. It seems Baher is also living up to her full potential, perhaps we should have someone shout LIAR.
You are not quite right about Denmark...
September 30, 2009 - 16:28 ET by tarunkjuyalIm from Denmark and have also lived for a number of years in the US.
While you correctly point out that universal health care and college degrees for all that want them (and have the intelligence to complete one), is not the only thing that makes us happy, they certainly help. These two very fundamental things offers the basis for building a stable society where people dont go from happy family one day to jobless and uninsured the next.
Everybody who wants a college (masters) degree in Denmark can get one. However not everybody can be a doctor or a lawyer. Just like the US system, there are only room for so many people studying medicine. And just like the US, the most qualified applicants will get in. The only difference to the US system is that no one has to pay tuition (we do pay for books), and everybody gets an 800-1000 USD monthly scholarship.
As mentioned futher below the suicide rate in Denmark is about 2 people more per yer per 100000 people. Add to that a murder rate in the US of 5.8 per 100000 people vs 0.98 in Denmark.
As for living in our parents basements because we cant afford a house? Amazingly wrong! Nobody lives with their parents after high school because either you have a job (very low unemployment) or you are studying in which case the goverment pays you. If you live in the city you live in an apartment, if you live outside the city you live in a house. Just like the US.
As for taxes killing us? Sure we pay a lot, but for this amount of happy...I'll gladly pay =)
Try going to free college when you are 32 years old. You can't..
September 24, 2009 - 14:24 ET by jazboIt may be free, but it's restricted. Ain't that just the way?
"Democrats; Breeding voters like farm animals since 1962"
It's the Heroin!
September 24, 2009 - 14:25 ET by CobraMan“In Denmark – my favorite country – they are the happiest people in the world"
I wonder if their liberal drug laws have anything to do with that?
"The Danish parliament Monday has given its approval for a heroin maintenance pilot project, Agence France-Presse reported, citing the Danish Health Ministry. The project will be aimed at the Scandinavian nation's most recalcitrant heroin users.
If it goes according to plan, the pilot project will begin this year
and last through 2009. It will cost about $14 million dollars and some 500 of Denmark's most marginalized and most affected heroin users will participate. Heroin will be prescribed in combination with methadone. The aim is to rehabilitate problem drug users and reduce their criminal activity, the health ministry said."
Source
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.
The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus.
The US Supreme Court
Oz tried that a few years
September 24, 2009 - 16:58 ET by kangarooOz tried that a few years ago,
XXXXXXXXXXXX thanks for playing Denmark!!!!
Some of these countries should, maybe pick up the phone and ask "hey how did that free needle thingy and free shooting up shops work out for you Australia"? Didn't stop crime, a rise in herion use and trafficing. Cost more for the gov to baby these mongrals,and got over whelmed with new users, and gave the illusion that drugs were fine now you had a legal place to shoot up thanks to the grubment, oh and cost us a zillion sheeeeeesh
The only thing they saved money on was it was a one stop shop for picking up ODs
BEER HERE...
September 24, 2009 - 17:57 ET by danybhoyAnother reason the Danes may seem happier is they do like to drink their beer. I know folks who do european soccer trips & they say the Danes can pound their beer. They like their Carlsberg, & other beers. They are well behaved, but they can drink beer. They may drink their troubles away.
"...How blind can you be, don't you see...
...that the gambler lost all he does not have..."
Nightwish
→ danybhoy
September 24, 2009 - 18:04 ET by Cool ArrowBut with Behar in Denmark, at least one Danish man will swear off, each morning.
Or . . . drink that much more.
Cool~~
September 24, 2009 - 18:06 ET by BKeyserI need a prescreening.
→ Keyser
September 24, 2009 - 18:14 ET by Cool ArrowPM sent.
COOL ARROW...
September 24, 2009 - 20:45 ET by danybhoyMaybe a drunk Dane would swear off beer if Behar was the end result. Or maybe we are talking about "BEER GOGGLES". Sadly, they would help in such a case.
"...How blind can you be, don't you see...
...that the gambler lost all he does not have..."
Nightwish
On Wikipedia, the chart
September 24, 2009 - 14:29 ET by Chris NormanOn Wikipedia, the chart shows that Denmark has a higher suicide rate than the US: #27 in the world vs #43*. don't know if that's accurate or not, but there you are Joy. Those Danes must be laughing in glee while kicking out the chairs...
*In fact, almost all the socialized countries of Europe had higher suicide rates than the US.
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
Chris...Denmark's suicide
September 24, 2009 - 17:44 ET by celatorChris...Denmark's suicide rate is 30 percent higher than the US rate. Sounds like someone didn't send them the memo to inform them they are the happiest people on earth. Oh, well.
http://nitawriter.wo...
No citizen's right to life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, or property is safe as long as Obama is President of the United States.
Chris and cel... I'm glad
September 24, 2009 - 17:50 ET by bigtimerChris and cel...
I'm glad you both posted this, I forgot I saw some show somewhere about a month back about the suicide rate in Denmark.
Good catch...someone ought to inform Joy the Joyless...or better yet, Clueless.
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
BT.. Behar needs to be fact
September 24, 2009 - 17:57 ET by celatorBT.. Behar needs to be fact checked constantly. :+}
No citizen's right to life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, or property is safe as long as Obama is President of the United States.
“The reason that
September 24, 2009 - 14:29 ET by jkwtrading“The reason that they’re so happy is because they don’t worry about
health care,” she explained. “They don’t worry about sending their kids
to college because everything’s paid for.
this very comment could be applied to heroin addict whom is making his last needle plunge before dyding too..he feels really good.
Just like this lady he doesn't know it will kill him..
THE RAVAGES OF MENOPAUSE
September 24, 2009 - 14:36 ET by SgthulkaExample#1 - Joy Behar
Denmark has 5.5 million people.
September 24, 2009 - 14:39 ET by superconOver 90% are native born.
It also has some of the strictest immigration policies in Europe. The city of New York is bigger than Denmark.
In other words, twenty percent of their population aren't foreigners living off the govt. It's easy to provide things to the working class when you don't have to completely subsidize the lives of tens of millions of dead beats. Let's ship over one million illegal aliens and let them flood their schools and hospitals and see how they look in ten years. How much money does Denmark give in foreign aid? Not much baby.
They have a military of about 33,000 people. Not even large enough to fill a college stadium. It's easy to prosper when you don't have to carry the burden of other people's oppression and poverty.
" if Republicans are able to stop Barack Obama on health care, 'it will be his Waterloo, it will break him...." -Sen. Jim DeMint
Well Lets Send Over South Chicago
September 24, 2009 - 14:56 ET by allanf.. and see how well Denmark works.
"How much money does
September 24, 2009 - 22:46 ET by mamabear"How much money does Denmark give in foreign aid? Not much baby."
Vastly more than the US per capita or as a percent of total government revenue.
http://www.cgdev.org...
"Joy" and "study" in the
September 24, 2009 - 14:58 ET by suzycreamcheese"Joy" and "study" in the same sentence? Get outta here!
If Swedish people are so
September 24, 2009 - 15:03 ET by FlashmanIf Swedish people are so happy why then do they have higher suicide rates that the US?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_suicide_rate
So, Denmark is her favorite
September 24, 2009 - 15:07 ET by ckc1227So, Denmark is her favorite country, yet, despite having the finances that allow her to move anywhere she wants, for some reason, she chooses to live in what I'm sure she'd say is one of her least favorite countries instead of moving to Denmark. Why is that, Joy? Could it be because you're full of crap?
That and because the Danes
September 24, 2009 - 16:27 ET by StogieGuyThat and because the Danes are too smart to give a residency visa to a stinking cow like Behar. Unlike us, they have standards.
What are
September 24, 2009 - 15:23 ET by Delsawe supposed to say?
I am at a loss for words and me not finding words is not easy.
→ Delsa
September 24, 2009 - 15:25 ET by Cool ArrowIs "verklempt" the same in Danish as in German?
No "United States of Europe" for the Danes
September 24, 2009 - 16:19 ET by dlitwinDenmark, with only 5.5 million people, is about 2 times the size of San Diego County.
Oh, the heaven it would be to have only the local politicians to control. Talk about less restrictive!
America won't have the same luck with socialism for 300 million. Imagine that power. Witness that corruption - already.
Denmark has has wisely fought against being dragged completely into the European version of American big government and its stifling of human prosperity.
To equalize this in the U.S., imagine the Federal government:
and...
Talk about less government! It's not surprising that they're happier in Denmark.
Peace,
Dan Litwin
www.PeacemakersRock.com
Joy fits the
September 24, 2009 - 16:22 ET by bigtimerJoy fits the tag-line....
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
I'd Move to Denmark
September 24, 2009 - 17:00 ET by someloudthunderIt's one of the only countries that have decent government provide insurance and the hottest women around.
However the massive taxes is very unsettling. Maybe if I moved there with out papers and just sucked off the teet of the government like an illegal immigrant in America. Possibilities.
I'm wondering if behar has
September 24, 2009 - 17:03 ET by kangarooI'm wondering if behar has ever been to Denmark, or did she just go right to wikki and take notes,
Denmark taxes
September 24, 2009 - 17:09 ET by shooterI wonder if Behar knows that their marginal tax rate is 63% for all income over the Danish equivalent of US$70,000.
_________________________________________
"An armed society is a polite society" -- Robert A. Heinlein
Facts just get in the way....
September 24, 2009 - 18:04 ET by President Skip 2024Poor Joy. Somewhere in America, a village lost another idiot. Why is she even on television? I guess it's difficult to equate "free" with flipside of "someone is also paying for it". But, why let facts get in the way. Matter of fact, here is an idea. How about we curb her pay at $50K per year...let's see if she's singing the same liberal tune. Her and Michael Moore should hook up and make a movie...they can call it Dumb and Dumber...wait, that was already taken. She will be another great ASSet over at CNN.
PS.... I like your idea
September 24, 2009 - 18:08 ET by bigtimerPS....
I like your idea about freezing/curbing the pay for the leftist who love to yell the loudest...all of them, in all walks of life that make huge bucks.
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
they're happy being Joy-less
September 24, 2009 - 23:06 ET by konoWhy are the people of Denmark so much happier? Because Joy Behar isn't there.
Keep yer filthy commie paws off our country, Comrade Behar. You wanna live that way? Go where they live that way. (Then we'll be happier than other countries, too.)
The Danes haven't lost 3000
September 24, 2009 - 22:21 ET by RR GOPThe Danes haven't lost 3000 of their citizens in a terrorist attack, have not lost thousands of their military fighting terrorists, and don't have Pelosi, Reid, Frank, Murtha, Biden, Obama, etc. running their country.
So, yeah, I can see where Beasthar's coming from.
One of the 34% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 86% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.
So, the author here
September 24, 2009 - 22:50 ET by mamabearSo, the author here complains that socialism doesn't make Danes happy, instead it is the free choice they have in how to live their lives.
Isn't the conservative argument that socialism removes all of the free choice people have in how to live their lives? How did the Danes end up so happy when they have to live under the evil yoke of socialism and high taxes?
Socialism vs Free Choice
September 25, 2009 - 07:55 ET by Carolyn PlocherMamabear -- You're free to read the study yourself; it's easily found online. In the study, the author explains what he means by "free choice":
1. Countries which are not under authoritarian regime can make more of their own choices, therefore, they are more likely to be happy.
2. Countries that are economically stable have more citizens that have enough money to choose what they want to do with their lives, which also leads to happiness.
Denmark is democractic and economically stable, therefore, its citizens are more likely to be happy. Universal health care and "free" college cannot be the reason for Danes' happiness because other countries that have those two things are far lower on the study's list. Which was my original point.
I just think it is an
September 28, 2009 - 19:09 ET by mamabearI just think it is an interesting example for people who are so afraid of socialism that a socialist country counts as one where people "have enough money to choose what they want to do with their lives."
That seems to be something that everyone assumes will disappear in the US if we embrace any small steps towards socialism
mamabear uh, we have
September 28, 2009 - 19:16 ET by Radical1979mamabear uh, we have embraced some pretty large steps toward socialism. Those steps have prevented many people from having enough money to do what they want with their lives through higher taxes.
See?
September 28, 2009 - 20:54 ET by mamabearSee?
Average Suicide
September 25, 2009 - 10:04 ET by Jack BauerAverage Suicide Rates:
And strike Lithuania off my must visit list:
Lithuania is the top suicide nation at 38.8 per 100,000 of population.
Talk about a country sucking.
Denmark
September 25, 2009 - 12:34 ET by lkoturis the happiest country in the world because they don't get "The View".