Americans: What is your view of European social democracy?

[The Joyous Hedonist]

Even though I'm a member of the Social Democratic Party of Sweden, I'll let wikipedia (out of laziness) sum up some general policies that we social democrats aspire to realize:

''In general, contemporary social democrats support:

A mixed economy consisting of both private enterprise and publicly owned or subsidized programs of education, universal health care, child care and related social services for all citizens.

An extensive system of social security (although usually not to the extent advocated by socialists), with the stated goal of counteracting the effects of poverty and insuring the citizens against loss of income following illness, unemployment or retirement.

Government bodies that regulate private enterprise in the interests of workers and consumers by ensuring labor rights (i.e. supporting worker access to trade unions), consumer protections, and fair market competition.

Environmentalism and environmental protection laws; for example, funding for alternative energy resources and laws designed to combat global warming.

A value-added/progressive taxation system to fund government expenditures.

A secular and a socially progressive policy.

Immigration and multiculturalism.

Fair trade over free trade.

A foreign policy supporting the promotion of democracy, the protection of human rights and where possible, effective multilateralism.

Advocacy of social justice, human rights, social rights, civil rights and civil liberties.''
''strawman'':


Less freedom? Our social mobility is higher than that in the US (the ability to move between different classes in society), clearly indicating we have more freedom.

[NONAME]

Many Americans, specifically leftists, confuse it for socialism.

[strawman]

they have less freedom but at least their govt. doesn't blatantly lie as much as ours.

[W.C. Felcher]

European social democracy is inconsistent with fundamental American (USA) principles about individual liberty, limited and decentralized government, and "the pursuit of happiness."

The core difference I have noticed between Europeans and U.S. citizens is the deep, visceral mistrust of Americans for any government, centralized power, bureaucracy, or social status/caste/hierarchy.

Anecdotally (and I realize my experience is limited), the Europeans I have met seem to enjoy or accept without any criticism their government's pervasive and unquestioned role in their lives.