Tigerpic,
About that poverty thing. As you know, America has a very minimal safety net compared to European countries - but that is by a conscious choice. You are free to rise as high - or fall as low - as your talent, work-ethic, and luck will take you. As someone said the difference between socialism and capitalism is one is screwing the other, the difference between capitalism and socialism is one is screwing the other....
For example, my roommate was from Malmo - and I found it amazing that her unemployed friend had time and money to travel everywhere due to the fact that the Swedish govt had such generous benefits - in America it either fish or cut bait. The words from a Norwegian exchange student here at the local university were telling: I can either go home to be with friends and family or I can stay here and make money. I'm not saying one is right or wrong, just different philosphies.
And on a side note, spent a month up around Narvik and Harstad a few years ago - I must say Norway is a wonderful place.