I met a middle-aged couple from Denmark yesterday, and I had the opportunity to ask them about their country’s perennial standing in the top five of the World Happiness Rankings.

Me: Why do you think this is the case?

The man: We pay a bit more tax than you, but we get a great deal of value for it.  Your top tax rate is 37%, plus whatever state tax may apply, for example, 10% if you live in California.  Our top rate is 50%, but all healthcare and education is free.  In fact, we have two sons in university who are being paid by the government to stay in school and graduate.

We have almost no crime, no homelessness, and no government corruption.

The woman: And no guns.  Even our police don’t have them.  Our children are safe from getting gunned down.

Europeans and Americans