The problem is that even if you found the solution that work, for some reason people still pull away from it with time. In the 60s, US was the global leader in welfare and a descent life for most. But with first sign of problem, we run to the right. Just cut taxes, and everything become better.. right..? Answer is 40 years of decline, and still we are just months from the last tax cut that supposedly is going to help.
Norway isn't any better. We have also moved to the right the last 30 years, and even if most live comfortably in the middle-class, life gets harder for the poor, while the rich are richer than ever.