The one thing the article did not mention, is that Dutch LOVE to PARTY, which is what makes them all other politics, etc. aside, one of the great cultures of the world. Ok, here are some comments on the differences between living here and there, having done both.
Health care. There is no question that the health care in Holland is universal, which makes a big difference, but you can purchase private care, if you want to pay. The Dutch feel a civic responsibility to be healthy. Doctors there will also really make you toe the line with regard to health and weight. And if you are over weight, it can make you an object of social ridicule as you walk by any cafe. The Dutch are overwhelmingly trimmer (and taller, being the tallest culture on the planet) than Americans, however when the Dutch move here, they do become "bigger." This has as much to do with our dependence on the car, as the Dutch have on the bike, as well as the high fat content fast food diet still so prevalent in America. I think America ranks in the bottom six countries in time spent on meals per day at about one hour, or less. The French at the top at closer to two hours - they also sleep more.
Housing. It used to be less in Holland, but things have changed. Cities like Amsterdam are no longer cheap. 10 years ago flats were very undervalued, but with the adoption of the euro, and the price increases from cheap money, similar to what the US experienced, housing in Amsterdam shot above California prices once per square foot, and exchange rates were considered. Public housing, unlike here, is highly sought after. In the '70s squatters (true socialism, or libertarianism?) overtook a lot of older buildings in Amsterdam, and it showed, but that is no longer the case. Other cities, such as Rotterdam have less expensive housing. It's significant if you figure that half of your paycheck goes to the government. Try buying an apartment in NYC under those terms.
Funny, they went back to the polder system as the basis for Dutch egalitarianism. You are taught this in school from Grade 4 on. There is no question that "sharing water" with your neighbor will make you change the way you interact. The English convention of riparian rights (where up to 6 feet from shore of the water flowing by your land is "yours") created huge water wars, especially in the Western US, since we use that legal concept. As opposed to the Dutch trying to get rid of water, Westerners were trying to keep it, thus damming rivers upstream, and depriving those downstream of any. (You should see what the Rio Grande looks like when entering Mexico from the US.) When everyone is literally "underwater," it does change your mindset as to whether or not you have a future that is not a collective one.
Taxes. Although the published tax rates are very high, those who run their own business, or know the loopholes, just as we who do the same here do, are creative in figuring out ways to pay less tax. Despite all the "socialism," in Holland, there is no capital gains tax.
One of the oldest ruses in Holland, and Europe is under reporting the price you pay when you purchase a home. This reduces your property tax basis, and allows cash to be converted into real property.
The current socialist model works to a point. When dealing with immigrants you will find the Dutch attitudes can be quite hard line. If an immigrant group does not buy into the Dutch culture, but reaps the economic benefit, there is real anger and resentment. e.g. Moroccans who do not learn Dutch, and largely keep to their own community. The responses can border on racism. The older generation can be very misgiving of intercultural marriages.
The system also works because Holland is very small. It is actually one of the most dense human communities on the planet, despite having a population of only 15 million. It is also one of the most polluted, if you count water borne pollutants. The Dutch constantly complain about having no room. Given their close proximity, it's easier to design a system to fit a less far ranging array of tastes, and customs.
Aside from healthcare, the single biggest difference between American government spending and the Dutch is the military. I have blathered on here before about how grossly the US over spends on our "defense," but it is true. The US spends about $1 trillion on the military once you take into account all the off-balance sheet items. That's about 8% of GDP. If you were to spend about 1/3 of the Dutch national budget (vs. 1.5% of GDP they do spend) on the military, there is no way the level of health care, vacation pay, or other social programs would be possible. Simply put Americans could get lots more from their government, which would vastly improve their daily life, if they agreed to a smaller military.
If America were to cut the military to a budget level on par with Holland, or Germany, we'd free up, at minimum, $400M, perhaps double that once all branches of Homeland Security, FBI, CIA, DOD, and Veterans Affairs are taken into consideration. That's enough to pay for the entire stimulus pkg. every year. There is no political will to reduce the military, especially the big weapons systems, because parts for these systems are made in almost every district of every state, a legacy of Casper Weinberger, and David Stockman during the Reagan years.
Hundreds of years later, I am in total agreement with Pieter Stuyvesant, freely flowing economics, not the military, or nationalism, is the way to keep the citizens prosperous, and happy.
BTW - there was a great deal of overlap between the British and Dutch cultures. If you recall when the Brits were short of a King (having deposed James II), they asked Prince William of Orange (Protestant) to come over and "fill in," in order to remove a Catholic Head of State - James.
