Careful the things you say.
Children will listen.

~Stephen Sondheim/Into the Woods

Too bad the same warning does not apply to adults.  For example, did purveyors of the “big lie” think their constant exhortations to “stop the steal” would not incite an insurrection?  But what I find more disconcerting is adults often do not listen to themselves.

Yesterday, I ran across a prime example in our local newspaper.  Rick Keffer, a prominent businessman and philanthropist in our community, writes a periodic column in which he shares facts and data on a broad range of topics.  For example, having owned the local Chrysler/Jeep dealership before retiring, he would share trade association numbers about automobile production and sales.   I got to know Rick, having served with him on scholarship selection committees and other community efforts.  Every community needs more Rick Keffers.

I forgot to mention Rick is a Republican.  Though we have never had private conversations about politics, I am pretty sure he approves of small government, the last three Supreme Court appointments and the 2017 tax cuts.  His January 8, 2021 column, in anticipation of Joe Biden’s inauguration, was titled, “A Conservative’s Wish List.”   The column was also evidence Rick passed my litmus test, accepting Biden’s win in the 2020 election although he was concerned the 45th president’s agenda was too far to the left for his tastes.

Which brings me to the reason for today’s post.  Keffer’s most recent column is titled, “Happiness and Population.”  He shares his fascination “with the Scandinavian countries and have visited a few briefly.”  He then draws on the March issue of Forbes which included an article, “The 20 Happiest Countries in the World in 2021,” based on the latest “World Happiness Report.”  Among the top ten are Finland (#1), Denmark (#2), Norway (#5), the Netherlands (#6) and Sweden (#7).  For the record, the United States comes in at #18.

He first notes these countries’ populations range from 10.1 million citizens (Sweden) to 5.4 million (Norway).  One would think a life-long member of the GOP would take this opportunity to make the case this proves that “big is bad,” especially big government, although I suspect he valued his association with the Big Three automakers and his stock portfolio includes investment in mega banks, oil companies and tech companies.  But he does not, and that is why I regularly read his column.  Rather than rely on a statistical correlation, he asks the obvious question, “Why are these people so darned happy?”

From what he learned during his travels he suggests the following keys to the quality of life enjoyed by Scandinavian residents.

1. Nature belongs to everyone.  Everyone is allowed to “roam freely in all natural areas, even private property.”
2. They are minimalist and recycle as much as they can.  Not waste, but used items.  Rick points to the Finns who hold a “Cleaning Day,” best described as a national yard sale.
3. A philosophy based on the principle it is never too early to start working on happiness.  This includes community baskets of clothing and other items for every newborn, affordable day care and tax-funded education through university level.
4. Public revenue is 20 percent of personal income.  The United States is currently at 14 percent.  Rick states the same 20 percent standard “would have balanced the 2019 budget.”
5. They are humble, “reluctant to put a polished view of their life on social media or brag about success and wealth.”

Rick concludes, “I have no plans to leave my home on Amelia Island for Scandinavia or anywhere else, but it is interesting to see what makes people tick.”

My question to Rick, “Then why on earth would you not want Americans to be just as happy?”  As sportscaster Warner Wolf would say, “Let’s go to the video tape.”

1. Access to nature is good, but you supported an administration which reduced the amount of public lands, leased public lands to private companies and eased environmental protections which decreased the habitability of natural assets.
2. Changing attitudes and behavior related to material assets would be both difficult and even devastating for an economy driven by consumption of goods.  But the increase in savings rate in the U.S. during the pandemic suggests  many of us can survive without things we might want but do not necessarily need.  Maybe it is time to pass a few of those along to those who could use them.
3. Affordable child care and education funding through university level contribute to happiness?  Thank you Rick for making one of the best arguments yet in support of the Biden human infrastructure program.  Will you now urge our two senators and Congressman Rutherford to support a negotiated version of the plan instead of “just saying no?”
4. Since you suggest Americans are under taxed, are you ready to support repeal of the 2017 tax cuts, especially in light of the 130 countries that have agreed to a minimum global tax which counters the original “my tax rate is lower than your tax rate” justification for the corporate tax cuts.
5. And you were okay with the least humble individual in America for four years. If “it ain’t bragging if it’s true,” what do you call it when such bluster is not bona fide?

Bottom line, an increasing number of the GOP leadership and right-wing media call the very things you describe as contributing to happiness to be radical, socialism and even communism.   They claim such government interference will destroy America.  You cannot have it both ways, which is why well-intentioned individuals like Rick Keffer remind me of another Sondheim musical Company.  And in particular, the song, “You Could Drive a Person Crazy.”

For what it’s worth.
Dr. ESP