What’s not to like? Universal health care, tuition free college, generous vacation and leave time, near 100% union representation looking out for you, and high wages for the lowest level jobs; sounds great to me.
How does it sound to you as an American?
Before you answer, let me mention:
- A flat income tax rate of 55%
- A 25% sales tax (VAT)
- $2,000 fee to obtain a drivers license
- 8% payroll tax to fund health care
- 90% of Danes have a required retirement plan at work similar to a 401K plan and contribute between 12% to 18% of income (lower mandate for lowest income). If you take a lump sum at retirement, it is taxed at 40%
- A state pension funded from general revenue provides about $1,100 per month, normal retirement age is gradually being raised to 68.
- Members of the Church of Denmark (75% of population) pay a church tax and in addition general government revenue contributes about 9% of the Church budget.
- 150% fee of purchase price of a car (unless it’s electric)
- Less than 50% of Danes own a car
- Gasoline runs about $6.00 a gallon
They have lots of Legos though.
It all seems to work fine for the happy Danes, but Danes are not Americans living in a diverse country 3,000 miles wide with 330 million people.
QUINNSCOMMENTARY 
Like so many countries some people think are so “Great”, there is a price to pay, usually a citizens rights. Most Americans would not tolerate mandated social programs such as those in Denmark.
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The grass is always greener…..
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