Norway does have a higher per capita GDP than the US. (55k vs 52k). But there are many countries with smaller per capita GDPs -- by a much larger difference --

Norway does have a higher per capita GDP than the US. (55k vs 52k). But there are many countries with smaller per capita GDPs -- by a much larger difference -- that have solid social programs including free health care and subsidized education. The situation in the US is a political choice, not a consequence of some economic law.