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Comment by Bootvis | Hacker News Reader

In the case of the Netherlands, interest rate caps are already in place and payday loans don't exist. Furthermore, it's relatively easy to get help (but not fun) when you're bankrupt and to get out of this bankruptcy with a clean sheet after 5 years. Currently there is a law in the works vetted by the House of Representative to reduce this period.

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Perhaps not but the Netherlands has ridiculous levels of wealth inequality. On paper it's worse than the US.

You have never been to the Netherlands, have you? Because those statistics you hint at are misleading at best.

Well it's sorta true, but the important difference is that the bottom poverty line is higher than in the US, and we do have better social security. Still, the gap is growing. Though recent changes in real-estate legislation are putting a stop to that. Yes, there are the mega rich, entrepreneurs and whatnot. Like it or not, they do participate in society in a way that moves the needle.

Means for the slightly-better-off middle class to exploit the lower class through rent are being thwarted, thankfully. They just allow one half of the population to exploit the other half without providing any tangible benefit in return.

Source: I'm born in, and living in, the Netherlands.

No, the statement is mostly false. The famous Economics Explained video is debunked. Of course, there is inequality and maybe it is too much but is not of a ridiculous level compared to the rest of the world.

> You have never been to the Netherlands, have you?

How does merely visiting Netherlands tell a person that inequality stats are misleading ?

You walk around and see how people live and that the difference between the worst neighborhoods is much smaller than the US or even France. Another data point is that you will also see relatively little homeless people (compared to San Francisco for example).

I alluded to the figure not being the whole story by saying "on paper". Perhaps you skimmed that part. Nonetheless not the whole story is miles away from "not a problem". It IS a problem.

I actually lived there for a period, not that it's relevant.

By omitting the rest of the story what remained 'on paper' became false. That was my point.

All the same I would much, much, MUCH rather be poor in the Netherlands than the US. Just not having to operate a car would save tons.

Also, not sure but this comment may be a reference to:

How The Dutch Economy Shows We Can't Reduce Wealth Inequality With Taxes | Economics Explained

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot4qdCs54ZE

and if you watch that it's well worth watching this Dutch economist's rebuttal

The Dutch Economy is NOT the Most Unequal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tW_kw6OPXc0

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