Wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen

A week in many European countries can make you wonder about the quality of American life (even in a good year, which this most certainly ain't; and even if your suitcase stayed behind in Newark for half of your trip). Sensible cities with amazingly efficient mass transit. Wide, dedicated bicycle lanes everywhere. Safe parks, even at night. and the knowledge that less than 0.1% of the people you pass on the street are packing heat (unlike in my South Florida home town, where probably only 0.1% AREN'T).

Why is is that so many Europeans just seem to live life more gracefully than we do?