Attention Bernie Sanders: Europe gave up on its socialist paradise years ago

Bernie Sanders is refreshing. He's brash. He's loud. He's a self-proclaimed socialist. Unlike other politicians, he doesn't pander to the idea of American exceptionalism. He says America should look to Europe, particularly the Nordic countries Sweden and Denmark, for examples of how to create public policy. America should have a cradle-to-grave welfare state, public provision of major public goods, high marginal tax rates and high redistribution, and intense regulation of many economic sectors, including financial regulation and environmental regulation.

The thing that Bernie Sanders, and many of his supporters miss, is that European socialism isn't what it used to be.