The transition from the system described in the 19thC as “capitalism” to the modern mixed economy was an adoption of socialism (while it wasn't mostly adopted as a coherent program but instead a series compromises between different factions, as a deliberate program it would have been a form of what Marx described—and opposed—as “bourgeois socialism”. And the Nordic .model, including the form in Sweden, leans into some of the socialized elements more heavily than is typical, with notably strong social safety nets and public pensions.
The point is, like a sheep on a farm, you're being milked and sheared by your government, like in most socialist countries.
Sure, like sheep on a farm, you're well tended to, but you basically live in a society where people exist to serve their government rather than the opposite.
That may not be your definition of the word "socialism".
Call it "collectivism" if that fits your definition better.
That won't change the fact that you're living in hell AFAIC.
Hell is a funny word for a place that has one of the greatest quality of life of any OECD country. Yes, their tax rates are high, but not vastly higher than one might pay in California. I'll say this for them, at least they pay for their spending. Sweden's national debt is 35% of GDP, while ours was over 100% even before Covid-19.
Basically, if sweden is 'tax and spend' we're 'spend and future financial crisis'. I know which country I'd rather live in long term if I did not have a life to uproot here in the US.
I surely don't want to enter into this discussion, it seems baseless and meritless. Talking about sheep in a farm being tended to while disregarding upsides, without leaving room to discuss different models of social contracts and trade-offs. And worse, while you conceal what is your vision of a good model for society.
There is a lot to unpack here and I surely don't want to keep going when the rhetorics is so loaded, calling others sheep and misusing terms won't lead to a healthy discussion.
Can I ask where you choose to live right now that isn’t a socialist society or on the way to one? Genuine question because I am thinking of emigrating after this pandemic is over and that would definitely make my shortlist.
