The US loves to burn the furniture to heat the cabin, then pat itself on the back for reducing heating costs.

Yes, the "cannot" is factually incorrect.

No. You have to define how a country can be rich. And what "basic healthcare" is. And what "for all" means.

A country cannot be rich. Its people can be. If you have a definition that differs, we can discuss. I am going to avoid "basic healthcare" for now. We can discuss "for all". Does that mean for people born in the country? Or does it really mean "for all people"?

FredW

And yet consistently polled as being far happier. Turns out, when you have your basic needs cared for, can afford a house, to travel, the latest gadget ... well, the rest is just pretty pointless and doesn't buy you any additional happiness.

Most European countries are not poor. Not at all. By any definition. However, European countries typically do not encourage regless forms of capitalism (consequently reducing the GDP) and also consider the social aspects of public spending more important than the military ones.