Tigerpic,
I may know you, as I was trained by Norwegian Heli CFI’s, or I may not know you.
If you think justhelicopters is bad try out MSN Slate Magazine.
USA is not as socialistic as most European countries, college and health care are not free. But car gas and avgas cost $1.60, $2.60 a gallon, general aviation is affordable.
I believe taxes are less in this country, my pilots license is good for life, I don’t need to pay hundreds of dollars to the government every couple or years for renewal, I can shoot ILS’s and pattern work all day and not pay any navigation or instrument fees.
If Norway and Sweden are ranked so high by the United Nations (an oxymoron nowadays) why are people not lining up to move there? Back in January I had to go to the motor vehicle department to register my SUV, I thought I was in Mexico!
There is a lot of freedom in this country, if you want to start a business all you need is a business card and the will to succeed, and you won’t be taxed to death.
As for poverty there are many reasons for it, unwed mothers, personal responsibility, failed social programs. We are not a cradle to grave system, but politicians are trying to get us there.
Is it true in the north countries very few people attend church yet they have a high suicide rate?
Our countries are different, I hope you cherish the good times and not dwell on the negative.
I would like to come to Norway sometime and maybe take that Super Puma groundschool, some sim time and do some sightseeing.