Oprah praises Danes on show

[danmand]

Oprah praises Danes on show
Published 22.10.09 10:31

Free health care, education and long leave for new parents were the things Oprah Winfrey admired most about the country A simple life and a strong social system make Denmark one of the best places on earth to live, according...

The one-hour programme about Denmark that the show’s producers had put on-again/off-again was finally on-again, airing Wednesday afternoon in the US under the title ‘The World’s Happiest People’.

Oprah visited Denmark during the Olympic congress in Copenhagen earlier this month and her impressions of the city and of Danes were overwhelmingly positive. The first 20 minutes of the show featured a tour of the city, with curious Danes in close tow of the international celebrity.

According to Oprah, one of the most impressive aspects of daily life in Denmark is that the social system allows both for long maternity and paternity leave periods when a child is born. She also touted the state’s support of the health care and educational systems.

And of course, Danes’ habit of leaving their babies unattended in their prams outside cafés was addressed on the programme.
‘Don’t you have child molesters in Denmark?’ Oprah asked one mother.

’I’m sure we do,’ said the mother, ‘but I’ve never heard of anyone stealing a pram in Denmark.’

 

[Sammy the Bull]

All over Scandinavia people are like that, not just Denmark.
Those are some of the most civilized people on earth, North-America has a thing or 2 to learn from that

 

[ig-88]

Great. With Oprah's money, she can move there.

OTOH, it's hardly accurate to compare countries with totally different population sizes, demographics, and geographical circumstances.

 

[Brill]

Only a couple of generations ago it wasn't doing well, people left in droves for a better life after the hardships of the war.

Now it's a great, modern, diversified, civilized, democratic country with happy people, a very high standard of living and a rich culture - a very impressive story!

 

[Old Milwaukee]

Great. With Oprah's money, she can move there.

OTOH, it's hardly accurate to compare countries with totally different population sizes, demographics, and geographical circumstances.

Huh?

What does population, geographical circumstances and demographics have to do with it?

The USA has plenty to learn.

 

[train]

Danmand, you watch Oprah ?

I assume they don't leave the kids in the prams outside during snowstorms.

 

[needinit]

Scandinavia is fantastic!

I have spent quite a bit of time in Scandinavia and the more socialist approach to life really does have a lot of social benefits. One phrase in Sweden (where I lived) was that it is 'really hard to be poor in Sweden, but also really hard to become rich as well'.Bjorn Borg (the tennis great) moved to Monaco as about 80 % of his income was going to taxes.

There is some validity to mentioning demographics as the culture also dictates some of the benefits - most European countries are not car countries as people tend to live and work close by this creating more emphasis on efficient public transportation etc which benefits everyone. People also then tend to eat and shop closer to home thus creating communities which promotes better relations between people.

As people tend to live closer together and in smaller land area, then apartment living is more common, homes are smaller and people tend to be more social as well - by getting out of their homes. This is especially true in Italy (Rome) whrere apartments are really small often with only a rudimentary kitchen so people eat out a lot etc.

I really loved living in Eurpoe and may do so again, but probably around the Mediterranean (I have been looking to purchase a property in Monte Negro, Spain or Greece as part of my semi-retirement plan!)

 

[onthebottom]

How much diversity is there in Denmark? I'm pretty sure no one in Chicago would leave a baby in a pram outside a cafe......

OTB

 

[WoodPeckr]

How much diversity is there in Denmark? I'm pretty sure no one in Chicago would leave a baby in a pram outside a cafe......

OTB

Nor would a baby be left in a pram outside a cafe in uncivilized Cincinnati....

 

[Cycleguy007]

Katja kean

My favourite Dane...

 

[danmand]

My favourite Dane...

Sjeeeeeessssss, I am only number 2?

 

[Cycleguy007]

Sjeeeeeessssss, I am only number 2?

Actually you've been dropped to #3... Ever since the "lynch mob" incident! LOL!

This fine young woman is #2:

http://www.pornstarsnbabes.com/hustler-babes/malou-interview.html

Check out the "Likes", "Best Sex" and "Fav position" parts!

 

[WoodPeckr]

Nice

 

[Cycleguy007]

Tell me about it! She's perfect! HOT looking, likes cycling, group sex with hot chicks AND anal sex! LOL!

(And she shaves! ;-) )

 

[OddSox]

Funny how they never mention the 25% VAT tax, the 63% income tax rate (for "high-earners" over $70,000), the 200%+ automobile tax, gasoline at $2.00/litre etc.

 

[WhaWhaWha]

Denmark sounds perfect...

An Open Letter to Barack Obama: On Danish Racism
By Jacob Holdt and Rune Engelbreth Larsen

http://www.panhumanism.com/letter_to_obama.php

Dear Mr. President Elect!

We respectfully request a few moments of your precious time for an important message. Thank you!

In the spirit of optimism, and the courage to hope for real change which has been kindled throughout the world by the historic election in the United States, we hope to bring to your personal attention, and to the awareness of the American public the distressing state of affairs in our own highly privileged corner of the world.

We wish to express our deep concern at the incremental rise of racism and the use of racist propaganda in mainstream Danish politics over the past decade.

Ethnic and religious minorities are demonized and marginalized. Discrimination and hate-filled rhetoric reminiscent of anti-Semitic propaganda of the 1930's has become an accepted part of the Danish political debate.

 

[nottyboi]

Funny how they never mention the 25% VAT tax, the 63% income tax rate (for "high-earners" over $70,000), the 200%+ automobile tax, gasoline at $2.00/litre etc.

Why does that matter if they deliver a good quality of life? Here the tax you a lot and then hand the money to their cronies... We're like a richer Africa. I always laugh when right wingers deride socialism. Perhaps if we weren't so caught up with greed the financial disaster would not have happened. Whats wrong with Denmark or Sweden, the REAL fact is most Canadians would have a better quality of life under that system then our own. We'd have smaller cars, better transit, cleaner air and hotter women. Oh to be Swedish or Danish!!!

 

[WoodPeckr]

Funny how they never mention the 25% VAT tax, the 63% income tax rate (for "high-earners" over $70,000), the 200%+ automobile tax, gasoline at $2.00/litre etc.

Perhaps they are not as selfish, greedy, self-centered and as unchristian as folks you pal around with...

 

[seth gecko]

Are you sure that she wasn't praising Danish, as in pastries? After all, it is Oprah!