An expat writes from the home of the meatball:

“Dear Mr. Derbyshire—For all of its collective madness, Sweden has a few things going for it. For example, even though the government robs you blind in taxes, you now have the option of filing your tax return with one mobile phone text message. Everyone gets a tax statement in the mail, and you just send a quick acknowledgment if it is correct. (If not, there is a four-page form for adjustments.)

“It took me six hours to do my American taxes (on my $18,000 of student income in wages and fellowships).

“By the way, the wacko feminist party that Gudrun is starting might just put the ‘conservatives’ in power by splitting the socialist vote. In your radio piece, you commented on the refreshingly straightforward name of the Left Party. It’s not as straightforward as it used to be; it was the Communist Party until 1991. I guess the name didn’t embarrass them until the USSR actually collapsed in front of their eyes.

“Warm regards from Uppsala,

“[Name]“