My granddaughters met the REAL Father Christmas - and had a wonderful time in Finland. The real reindeer skin boots were a nice extra touch you wouldn't get anywhere else....

Not too sure about the beard though.....

I agree with you. The way they are treated and demonised is shameful And those who are doing it - Governments - in particular the UK Governments - are doing it driven by the right wing frenzy which is only supported by a minority. Put the efforts into building more housing - problems solved.

The vast majority of Europeans welcome migrants - and with fast falling birth rates they are needed. Right wing populist politicians aided by right wing press use the issue to divide people to find a way to power Aided and abetted by Russian & MAGA type social media bots. The issue is exaggerated

I didn't say, or imply 'sole source'. Progressive tax rates across the whole spectrum is how a fair tax works - in Europe and most of the world. That Big Beautiful Bill appears to have given tax cuts to the very rich - similar to the bill in Trump's first term. That is not a progressive tax.

Shame. The vast majority of countries around the world have managed a version of health care free at the point of delivery. (and gun control). It is not impossible - in fact with the will, it is not even difficult.

Agree totally with that. Some nations built their 'Empires' on exploiting other people and races - a consequently felt so superior to (in their view) the 'backward' people they dominated

European settlers in US carried that on - even if they were poor themselves. The basis of racism - domination.

I try to be cute. I was a politician in my ancient Parliament for some years and spent nearly a decade politically in charge of our Health Service - free to everyone. Not an easy job and the financing of keeping up with new developments and drugs etc was difficult. But it can be done.

But the rich, with their lawyers and loophole exploitation often pay LESS tax proportionately than the ordinary worker. Happens in Europe as well - there is little will to change the system -especially as politicians in US often rely on 'donations' from the rich - in return maintain the status quo.

I do understand a lot of your institutions - & Constitution. Your culture is the problem. Plus how you govern is F**cked. You need to get rid of the Electoral College, lobby payments, gerrymandering, and importantly - all judges & judiciary be appointed independently based only on legal ability

Different mindset then. I remember years ago complaining to my then boss about paying my income tax bill. He replied, 'Don't worry. The more tax you are paying, the more you are earning.'

And why not? The Musk pot of $450 billion - if he spent it at a dollar a second - $86,000 dollars a day - would take him until the year 3458 to spend it all. No-one can spend money at $86,000 dollars every day. He could give 95% of his fortune away and not even notice.

Just re-read your post. I think we are talking apples and pears. Over $17.000 income I pay 20% on the rest. The $17k is free of tax. If my earnings are $30,000 I pay 20% tax on 13k - $2600.
If I earn $100,000 tax would come to $16,600 on 83k. And NO health, education, libraries, museums etc costs

No VAT on food or clothing or the basic needs of life.

VAT is not a problem in everyday life. The 20% tax is a fixed rate on any income over the basic $17,000 and does not change, no matter how much more I earn. (I wish it did to make society fairer)

The Scandinavian way works. My nation inherited a Scandinavian parliament and ethos in 979AD thanks to Viking invaders and we still have it. We had free public education before Great Britain, votes for women 30 years before them, votes for 16 year olds 20 years ago. Not perfect but better than UK

Civilisations take about 500 years to grow, mature and then collapse. Tribal Western Europe 400 years ago and before, in effect had slaves. The poor were serfs, with no rights, made to work for basic food and no more. The US is still maturing and not yet free of the 'slave' mentality.

My daughter and grandchildren have just come back from Finland tonight (they met Father Christmas and his real reindeers) and think it is wonderful. I know their education system is the best in the Western world - and by any objective health and education measure they are well ahead of most.