People in Denmark live by the American Dream, not Americans

The idea of the American dream and meritocracy is still very prevalent in our culture. It seems like behind every speech whether political or for an award acceptance, the story of someone pulling themselves up from their bootstraps is interwoven within the speech if it’s the opener itself.

Americans are very focused of themselves and need instant gratification. We believe that people who make it deserve it and those who don’t make it, deserve it as well. I think this cultural idea is what has placed us socially behind other countries. We focus too much on ourselves and our beliefs and don't consider other viewpoints. I think this is why we still argue about homosexuality and religion.

This view transcends into our health care system and welfare. Every developed nation has some kind of national or universal health care, but us. Yet, We spend the largest GDP on healthcare expenses. We tend to view it as a privilege and not a right.

Richard Wilkinson, author of The Impact of Inequality, focuses on inequality and the faults of the American dream. http://www.ted.com/speakers/richard_wilkinson.html