> What always brings it to mind is the oft-cited success of the Scandinavian states on welfare, as compared with the USA. Size isn't the only difference - the

> What always brings it to mind is the oft-cited success of the Scandinavian states on welfare, as compared with the USA. Size isn't the only difference - the US is far more diverse. Compare Sweden http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Sweden http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Sweden with LA http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Los_Angeles http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Los_Angeles . Sweden is about as diverse as Wisconsin http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madison,_Wisconsin#Demographics http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madison,_Wisconsin#Demographics .