Still you don???t seem to get the fact that its not about the finnish mentality or that ???socialism makes people think that way.??. Its about the studied fact that people compare themselves with others ??? and the results affect the happiness level of an individual.

And that???s the case in the US, in Finland, and all over.

I think you are right about the Americans having a healthier way of thinking about rich people than finns do, but that???s a totally different subject, you know?

Still you don???t seem to get the fact that its not about the finnish mentality or that ???socialism makes people think that way.??. Its about the studied fact that people compare themselves with others ??? and the results affect the happiness level of an individual.

And that???s the case in the US, in Finland, and all over.

I think you are right about the Americans having a healthier way of thinking about rich people than finns do, but that???s a totally different subject, you know?

This is the case in the US, in Finland and in Nigeria. It is true though that americans’ attitudes toward rich people is haelthier than those of finnish people.. but thats a totally different subject, you know?

peoples happiness (or more accurately the contentment with ones salary) depends (sadly) on level of other peoples salaries.

Heheheee. That is the base of “Finnish mentality” right there. Mind if I make it quote of the day? Don’t worry, it’s not your fault for thinking that way, socialism makes people think that way.

OK, I thouht that your answer would be something like this. And in and ideal world maybe your theory would work. But I think in real life it doesnt. Look at US for example. How long do you think the economy has to grow (and taxes have be cut) until we reach a point where people choose theirs jobs based on their pure interest in the field?

Its not going to happen for at least one critical reason: peoples happiness (or more accurately the contentment with ones salary) depends (sadly) on level of other peoples salaries. Thats why people who now belong to the working poor arent happy with theis salaries though they are financially much better off than 1) people in poorer countries and 2) folks who lived previously (for example their grand grand parents). And as long as this is the case and the taxation is not progressive enough, people will choose careers on the money basis.

So even if the salaries of youth workers would triple in the US over some period of time, this wouldnt help anything, because the other salaries will rise about at the same rate –> the youth worker will for ever belong to the “poor class”. In Finland it doesnt matter beacause your only a little poorer after taxes, social benefits, etc.

Thats my thought about this. What do you think about htis theory?

But i would like to know how your ideas of lesser taxes and a more competitive jobmarket fit in with the idea that its good to have more harmonized salararies (i would use the word income), so that people dont run after money but their dreams?