The Nordic Way of Freedom

Frida Ghitis: I was shocked at the civilized road manners on Finnish highways.

She says Finland reflects a deeper and more mature idea of freedom than the childish selfishness that passes for it in the U.S. She says the Nordic social democratic welfare state is to spread income out over the working life.

Ghitis says the idea of imposing even modest taxes to provide income security for families provokes outrage among Republicans and even some Democrats .

The Nordics have a guarantee of basic, essential coverage in health care.

The rational, self-interested, freedom-expanding choice is for everyone to be automatically enrolled in a national health care program.

American “freedom” is instead about pandering to the entitled, wealthy minority who want to indulge their every whim.