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Nordic Tracking

Last year I wrote about tracking "good" socialism in the Baltic region (Bunch of B.S. (Baltic States)):

This article made me realize something. Something very obvious now that I look back on it. PJ O'Rourke had written an article on some of the more annoying Baltic States [sic] who seem to be prospering in their socialism. It seemingly contradicted everything that I believe, that no socialist state could survive long-term. So I've been a little perplexed by this.

I went on to suggest some reasons for their teetering success, and was quickly rebuked by a few Swedish commenters. So I feel somewhat vindicated reading that things aren't quite as rosy over there these days then when O'Rourke had last visited.

Per Bylund writes:

While in the early 20th century the Social Democrats, a hegemonic power in Swedish politics throughout that century (and beyond), had demanded tax cuts to liberate workers from unnecessary burden, it now swiftly changed into a tax-raising, welfare-embracing party calling for more "liberating" social reform. The voting masses, children of the welfare state dependent on its system of logic, supported the tax hikes, which quickly climbed to 50% and higher. And they demanded social benefits at taxpayers' expense to cover for and exceed these higher taxes.

Gee, why does that sound so familiar?

Read the whole thing: How the Welfare State Corrupted Sweden