(http://www.novinite.com/media/images/2009-05/photo_verybig_103754.jpg)
In his opening remarks Tuesday, former president Bill Clinton said America should be more like the tiny, social democratic Finland—then promised that would be his lone political statement.
America should be more like tiny, social democratic Finland, former President Bill Clinton said at the opening plenary of his Clinton Global Initiative conference in New York Tuesday.
"This is probably one of the only political things I'll say all week," Clinton noted as he introduced Finnish President Tarja Halonen. "I'm hoping that if we're not living in a totally evidence-free world, some of the things she says will demonstrate that every successful country in the 21st century has both an excellent private sector and government."
Clinton said some Americans want to cut government—a not so veiled reference to the Tea Party and GOP—but that an effective public sector is necessary to support nonprofits and businesses. "Our friends in Finland have done a pretty admirable job," he continued.
Finland has universal low-cost or free government-provided health care, daycare, and nursery school. Universities are tuition-free, and the government provides college students with living stipends during their studies. Finland's education system is rated the best in the world by the OECD.
Thedailybeast
What an admiration! +1 for Finland.