'I moved to the US 7 years ago from Finland —

[Cal33]

55. I think the biggest role in keeping the American people misinformed about Nordic countries (as well

as everything else) is played by the 90% Republican-owned (Corporate) news media. They are
probably the ones who came up with this line of reasoning, and they have been very successful
in having the people fooled, so that corporations can continue to rob the American people blind
with our present system of doing business.

Americans are an isolated people. Our closest neighbors are Mexico and Canada. For most people
both are too far away. I've lived many years in Europe. All one needs is to drive a couple of hours
and one is in a different country, with a different language and some difference in customs. Because
of this constant exposure to foreign influence, one can't help but become more open and accepting
of differences.

It would also be more difficult for people to become brain-washed news-wise, since one can listen
to and watch news from foreign countries just as easily as from one's own. It's not uncommon for
Europeans to speak a second or third language, which is quite uncommon here.