I mentioned yesterday's trip to Boulder, Colorado.  A beautiful city north of Denver, Boulder was the setting for that 70's TV show, "Mork and Mindy" featuring Robin Williams in the title role.  He played the role of a space alien living in America. 

Walking through Boulder it occurred to me that, today, space aliens may actually outnumber the middle class in this bastion of liberalism.  It's simply too expensive to live there. 

My brother Jack has long promoted ideals for economic development in communities across America.  In addition to his terrific book, "Boomtown USA", Jack's traveled extensively around the US speaking passionately on the topic of restoring economic vitality in America's communities.  Please check out his blog.  http://boomtownusa.blogspot.com

He provides some interesting statistical information on San Francisco, another great liberal homeland.  It's well worth the read. 


Finally, at the convention, I sat next to reporter Mikael Tornwall.  He's the sole US reporter for "Dagens Industri", Sweden's version of the Wall Street Journal.  I was thrilled to meet Mikael, in addition to our political discussions, we talked about the economy of Sweden.

I'm particularly interested in Sweden, because as I talk with Obama supporters, they speak almost starry-eyed about the health care system that an Obama Administration will provide.  I always ask the supporters, "Which country's health care program do you want America to emulate?"  In the six months, I've been asking the question, only one time has someone offered a country.  That one respondent said, "Sweden". 

And so, with Mikael at my side, I got a full rundown of the "enviable" Swedish system.  The Swedish citizens don't pay directly for their health care.  It all comes from their taxes.  And the taxes are high.  The top Swedish income tax rate is 55% (the US is 35%).  But, there's also a national sales tax of 25%!  That compares to a national US sales tax rate of ZERO!  So, for every dollar that a Swede might earn, he only has about 25 cents to spend on himself.  

And even with this public funding of health care, a private health care system has emerged.  In fact, Mikael admitted that on his most recent medical visit he went to a private physician.  The reason?  The private physicians are better.  It's funny how free market competition results in excellence.  

Don't look for medical technology breakthroughs to emerge from Sweden.  Socialized medicine just doesn't encourage or generate those opportunities.  They naturally look to the free market medical systems of the West for the new ideas.