I think as a socalled liberal norwegian, USA and Norway are two totally different nations and there is nothing wrong with that.
The difference is huge but we all are happily living in each of our way of free living (free speach, freedom to move, and freedom to choose whatevever we want within the law)
In Norway we have a huge land vs the inhabitants (4,5 million only) and that is supposed to cover a land that is at the size of UK.
But its harder to buildt.
Just take the roads they have to go trough huge mountains,fjords, ice and terrible weather.
cant be done without paying taxes.
population is also spread out, wich means hospitals have to be too.
Cant be done by inusranse companies, must be paid my taxes (otherways none woulda been able to pay for it)
Alcohol taxes is high (cant see a problem with that it isnt food)
car taxes is high( we need that for our roads and we afford it)
We was the one of the poorest countries in europe in the 1930`s and from that to 1960 (before the oil) we went out pretty good.
(taxes again)
Some still call us commis but we never been there, did we ?
I think this is a kinda socialism that actually works, but maybe just in small countries ?
USA prolly need to be a land of self made men, but Dont discriminate other countries for beeing able to do it otherwise.
I always looked at USA as a good place to be, for those who live their lives there but dont come talking bull about other places that actually made it ok too please.
I think not I hope.
I pay my 34% income tax and dont worry to much about it and still having a good life. (when i worked)
( student now and have a 0% tax and a low intrest loan to make it

)