What bothers me so much is that there are models out there in the world

[Ohiogal]

12. It's called "American Exceptionalism"

and the far right wing nut media keeps feeding it to the dumbasses.

As the saying goes .... "Travel is the best education." It sure would do wonders if more people could travel beyond our borders and see that life in the United States leaves something to be desired when you see how other nations like Sweden and Norway or Germany address many of the same issues we face here. Namely, health care, gun violence, education. I can't believe that more American women who are mothers wouldn't love a European style paid family leave policy implemented here.

I had the great good fortune to visit Finland, Sweden, Norway, Austria, and southern Germany when I was younger. Life over there isn't perfect, but they have it all over us in many ways. I don't know about right now, but my take on life in Europe back then, was that you felt more of a sense of community, life was slower, you had a good goverment safety net if you needed it, every person was considered worthy, you had just a few stores to shop in that sold quality goods and not the 100s of chain stores that sell cheap junk like we have here. Fewer restaurants. but that might be different now. I saw people out actually walking and riding bikes, even bike riders who you might say are "elderly". Bike friendly cities. Public squares and parks. Older buildings preserved, not torn down. History more valued. Clean, safe, and reliable public transportation everywhere.