Hello LivingHigh, I live in Belgium.
If you talk about high taxes, well welcome to the club : as far as I know, Belgium has the highest taxes in the world (must be very close to the taxrate in Denmark).
Nevertheless, it does not keep Belgians from becoming rich. Ok, the top 100 rich people in Belgium will never become as rich as for example the top 100 American riches, which all pay far less taxes, but the overall bruto national income per person in Belgium is higher than that in the US.
As far as I know, also Denmark scores better than the US.
It means, the money is better spreaded between people.
Some people forget that there is also an enormous amount of poverty in the US. For a lot of people, the American Dream turns out to be an American Nightmare.
I don't want to say that one system is better than the other, I only want to point out that both have there advantages and disadvantages.

I also noticed that in Belgium, there was a lot of envy for people who "succeeded" in live. People were even laughing when someone started a company and the company broke down.
But in my feeling, it changed a lot in Belgium the last 10 years. People are more and more encouraged by others to start new businesses. A lot of small new high tech companies start, people who have build a succesfull company appear in the media and Belgians are more and more proud about these companies. I think it is due to the new generation of young people. Young Belgians are much more confident that they can achieve something in the world.
There is still a lot of envy and there will always be, like in all countries.
Although a lot could be better in my country, I really like the live overhere.

What I would like to say is, that whatever culture or country you live in, the most important is to focus on your own mission and let other people think whatever they think.
It's none of your business.
Focus on becoming a better person, don't focus on the fact that other people should change : that is their mission, not yours.
If you want to change your country, start with yourself by walking your talk. Your example will inspire other people or maybe your children. That's how nations change. It starts with very small changes, but the further the snowball rolls down the hill, the bigger it becomes.

By the way, I will be in Denmark (Kopenhagen) for one week in November, my first time. I'm curious about your country.

Greetings,

Patrick