Living in Denmark - how good is it?

I noticed a comment on my first blog, that asked how it was to live in Denmark, so I decided to write a blog, describing how it is to live here in this tiny Kingdom.

First things first: It is a very small country. There are an estimated 5,806,015 people living in Denmark. To put that into context: It is less people than the entire population of the great state of Missouri, USA. Denmark is located in Northern Europe, right above Germany, but the impact that Denmark has on the World is staggering. Lots of things in the World either come from Danish, or has Danish heritage. Some parts of England still has a Danish feel to it, which is due to something called Danelaw. Basicly, Denmark owned the entire lower half of the United Kingdom, until our King at the time, refused to send out a raid, that would conquer the UK. But that is a story for another blog.

Now, Denmark has been known to be the happiest country in the World. Several times, actually. But is it true? Are Danish people REALLY that happy?

In a way, yes. That has something to do with our quality of living.

You may have seen a certain Fox News segment about socialism and Denmark. In that piece, there are several things that are twisted to fit a narrative, and others are just plain wrong. Yes, we do have a high tax rate. Some pay upwards of 60% of their monthly income in taxes. But you only do that, when you earn more than $6853 per month, which a lot do. Me, well I pay just 37% in taxes. I am on Government funded aid, so I don't earn a lot. But I earn enough to get by. Anyway, back to Denmark!

Due to our tax system, we have Universal healthcare, which means that anyone, no matter how much you earn, can get to a doctor or a hospital, without paying a single cent. Surgeries, births and trips to the ER are also free of charge. There are some things that we have to pay for. Dentists are one of the things.

We have free college education here, as well as free university education. We can apply for a grant through the government, that pays up to $923, before taxes, each month for the duration of your education. So far so good.

We do have our fair share of crimes, unfortunately. Gangs roam the major cities, and people do kill. So what do they use? They use knives and axes, mostly. Why not guns? Because guns are banned in Denmark! There are very strict gun laws here. We only allow private firearm possession for the purposes of hunting and sport shooting. Holders of hunting licenses and members of rifle clubs, with a valid weapon permit are allowed to possess certain models of shotguns and rifles. To obtain a hunting license, applicants have to pass several tests proving their knowledge about guns, ammunition, game characteristics and habits. Target shooting is considered the only valid reason for pistol ownership. Pistol licenses are only given to people after a two year active membership with a shooting club.

All gun licenses have to be specially authorized by the Minister of Justice. License holders are allowed to own multiple firearms, but have to get a separate permit for each weapon. The permits are only issued if the applicant can show a valid reason for owning the particular weapon. Guns and ammunition have to be stored separately in special gunrooms with double locks.

We also have an enormous tax on cars. It was recently lowered from 180% to 150%. Fuel is also expensive. Gasoline is often $6,07 per gallon, so it is definitely not cheap to have a car in Denmark.

And yet, despite all that. Despite all the taxes, all the gangs, all the times where I have said "I am sick and tired of this place", I find myself proud of being born in Denmark. Born in a country, that for all purposes is a fairy tale land. The rolling hills of Jylland, to the bustling hell of Copenhagen. From the beaches in the South and the forests in the North!

Denmark is my home - and I love it with all my heart!

I hope this gave you an idea of how amazing my country is!