Norway rises another notch in the top ranks of rational, progressive governments

The Associated Press reported this week that Norway's Parliament has approved a measure that would stop investing the $890 billion government pension fund in coal mining companies and power companies that derive at least 30% of their energy from coal.

A number of academic institutions, the Church of England, and even the Rockefeller family foundation (whose wealth came from Standard Oil) have already moved to stop investing in coal.   However, the Norway funds are the largest by far, and this decision will provide a model for other nations to follow.

Once again, Norway leads the way in a progressive, rational, humane approach to what government can do for its people and for our planet.   Ironically, it also helps balance the fact that much of wealth that makes Norway prosperous comes from its own oil deposits, as reported by the New York Times.


I continue to look at Norway as an example of how to run a country, and I yearn for us to learn from them.   What a hopeless mess our government processes seem in comparison;   what a colossal trove of money we squander every day that could be put to good use.

I can't even begin to estimate the amount of money that collectively will be spent on the 2016 presidential race.    It's estimated that Hillary Clinton's campaign expects to raise $2 billion;   I doubt that Jeb Bush's total will be any less.   Add in a few more billion for the others -- and think how many new teachers could be hired, how many roads and bridges could be repaired, how many jobs could be created.

Yes, Norway is a relatively homogenous populace and culture, whereas we are widely diverse.   And, yes, we spend trillions of dollars abroad fighting the bad guys for the whole world, it seems.   Does all our military spending really make the world a better place than if we spend half the amount on good works foreign aid and diplomacy?

At 82, I think more these days about the world I'll be leaving behind for my grandchildren and theirs -- and I feel that overall my generation has failed to make it a better place.   If we followed Norway's example, the future might not look so dismal.

Ralph