What I did on my summer vacation: Went to Norway and Came Back Re-energized

Aug 11

Jim and I paid a return visit to Norway for most of July – renting a car in Oslo and circumnavigating the country. We visited 12 cities. Here’s what inspired me to continue to resist MAGA and fight fascism:

Norway has a sovereign fund of $3 Trillion, revenue from their oil industry put aside for the future needs of the country. Can you imagine. It’s the largest fund of its type in the world.
The national debt is 42% of its GDP. Before the “Big Bad Bill” our country’s national debt was 145% of GDP; it’s only going to grow another estimated $4.5 trillion due to the massive tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans.
Resistance to authoritarian fascists is hard-baked into Norwegian society. During World War II, after the invasion and occupation by Nazis starting in 1940, the entire country rose up to fight them through resistance, organizing and sabotage.
There’s an excellent Resistance Museum in Oslo about World War II – the heroes of the underground are on full display. But most of the museum is dedicated to the ways average Norwegians fought back. I was struck by how desperate the people were to gain access to news – all broadcasts and newspapers not approved by the regime were banned. Despite threat of arrest and deportation to a camp, Norwegians fashioned radio receivers in the most ingenious ways. One turned their iron (as in ironing board iron) into a receiver.
We never saw a homeless person in Norway, nor did we see poverty. Their famous safety net of government programs is evident here.
Norwegians are a pretty chill bunch. I think their effective government programs are a big reason. Fundamental costs that most of us spend our lifetimes worrying about are not an issue there. Child care, health care, education (including college), retirement and generous paid vacation, even if one is a stay at home parent, are part of the social contract Norwegians have made with each other. Think of the quality of life one would have with this kind of a system.
Income tax rates are comparable if not lower than in the US. Norway has a complex tax system that includes taxes Americans don’t have (e.g. VAT). But they are a Democracy, and have agreed over the years to invest in a strong, healthy, stable and educated people. I was struck by how much they received for their taxes.
Above the Arctic Circle are the Lofoten Islands and the city of Narvik. I was surprised how hot it was in Norway this year. At the Arctic Circle it was in the 80s, something which everyone said “is not normal.” People are working hard to address global warming – more electric vehicles are sold in Norway than any other type of car.
Not sure if July was Pride month there, but everywhere we went we saw flags, public spaces, benches and other evidence of support for LBGTQIA people – it was Pride rainbows everywhere.
Farms are small, ancient and precious in Norway since only 4% of the country is arable. There weren’t any abandoned or derelict barns and farmsteads there.
Narvik is the site of the first battle lost by the Nazis during the WW II. This was in 1940 before the US entered the war. Their Krigsmuseum, or War Museum, tells the story of this battle – by land, sea and air. The museum also promotes peace and has many contemporary stories about resistance, irregular war-fare, cyber warfare, modern oppression and torture, and asks visitors to think about these serious matters.
The Krigsmuseum made the point that Nazis assumed that Norwegians would welcome them as part of the “master race” ideology. Nazis thought their “shared Aryan blood” would make it so. This didn’t happen. Plus its nonsense.
And by the way, Norwegians object to American white nationalists’ use of the viking as a symbol. We were told several times that the Vikings have nothing in common with modern day racists or Christian Nationalists.

Returning to Walla Walla we are often asked if we sensed any anti-American feelings or resentment of tariffs, etc. No, everyone was welcoming to us. A few went so far as to say they felt sorry for Americans seeing what are going through with MAGA.

We highly recommend visiting Norway – a stunningly beautiful country with lots to do. It’s an easy place to visit – great people, great food, easy to strike up a conversation since almost everyone spoke English. Plus they drive on the right side of the road!