USA: Rich and powerful - but at what cost?

[bill718]

Americans really do work more hours, but Europeans are happier with their life-work balance.

After school, young Americans face long years of career-building, and while U.S. citizens pay less in taxes than their European counterparts, their buffer against poverty is tiny by comparison - no matter what their income level may be.

Nordic and European nations give workers comparatively luxurious amounts of vacation, subsidized (or free) college education, and generous leave time, around four weeks annual leave plus holidays. And what about parental leave? Compared to the 12 weeks offered new mothers in the U.S. — requiring them afterward to leave either their helpless infants or their jobs — most European countries offer paid leave to both parents with varying degrees of generosity.

Lifespans: Job stress. pressure to be number one, to live beyond one's means, to conform to the corporate mold, and all those shiny status symbols leave many Americans at a dangerous level of stress. For all our wealth and power, the U.S. longevity ranks an appalling number 50 in the world, not only that, our lifespans, after climbing for decades, is now shrinking, gradually but ominously.

Perhaps America still has a few things to learn from those older cultures across the Atlantic.

Americans Are Unhappier Than Europeans And Living Here Costs More. Why Stay?

As author Anne Mackin watches her son and his European fiancee decide where to live, she wonders how the U.S. can compete with Europe and Canada.

www.wbur.org

 

[gtopa1]

Americans really do work more hours, but Europeans are happier with their life-work balance.

After school, young Americans face long years of career-building, and while U.S. citizens pay less in taxes than their European counterparts, their buffer against poverty is tiny by comparison - no matter what their income level may be.

Nordic and European nations give workers comparatively luxurious amounts of vacation, subsidized (or free) college education, and generous leave time, around four weeks annual leave plus holidays. And what about parental leave? Compared to the 12 weeks offered new mothers in the U.S. — requiring them afterward to leave either their helpless infants or their jobs — most European countries offer paid leave to both parents with varying degrees of generosity.

Lifespans: Job stress. pressure to be number one, to live beyond one's means, to conform to the corporate mold, and all those shiny status symbols leave many Americans at a dangerous level of stress. For all our wealth and power, the U.S. longevity ranks an appalling number 50 in the world, not only that, our lifespans, after climbing for decades, is now shrinking, gradually but ominously.

Perhaps America still has a few things to learn from those older cultures across the Atlantic.

Americans Are Unhappier Than Europeans And Living Here Costs More. Why Stay?

As author Anne Mackin watches her son and his European fiancee decide where to live, she wonders how the U.S. can compete with Europe and Canada.

www.wbur.org

You really ARE silly. Russia, the former Soviet states, the Ukes, Greece, etc etc etc...............your generalisations are ridiculous.

Greg

 

[shockedcanadian]

If Europe and other nations open up thier country to U.S market access, it will be easier for the U.S business to compete and take some of the market share of other nations businesses.

 

[80zephyr]

If the US can get NATO to pay their fair share, maybe we can make some progress.

 

[initforme]

I would bet about 70 percent of working people dont like their jobs. Its a necessary hatred most days.

 

[Hafar1014]

Americans really do work more hours, but Europeans are happier with their life-work balance.

After school, young Americans face long years of career-building, and while U.S. citizens pay less in taxes than their European counterparts, their buffer against poverty is tiny by comparison - no matter what their income level may be.

Nordic and European nations give workers comparatively luxurious amounts of vacation, subsidized (or free) college education, and generous leave time, around four weeks annual leave plus holidays. And what about parental leave? Compared to the 12 weeks offered new mothers in the U.S. — requiring them afterward to leave either their helpless infants or their jobs — most European countries offer paid leave to both parents with varying degrees of generosity.

Lifespans: Job stress. pressure to be number one, to live beyond one's means, to conform to the corporate mold, and all those shiny status symbols leave many Americans at a dangerous level of stress. For all our wealth and power, the U.S. longevity ranks an appalling number 50 in the world, not only that, our lifespans, after climbing for decades, is now shrinking, gradually but ominously.

Perhaps America still has a few things to learn from those older cultures across the Atlantic.

Americans Are Unhappier Than Europeans And Living Here Costs More. Why Stay?

As author Anne Mackin watches her son and his European fiancee decide where to live, she wonders how the U.S. can compete with Europe and Canada.

www.wbur.org

Europeans have a lower living standard than Americans the statement they are happier has little real support. They pay more taxes, have high energy costs, and have terrible healthcare. They dont invent anything anymore.

The Scandavian nations also impose high taxes making social financial upwards mobility impossible. High rates of depression and alcoholism indicate they arent that happy.

 

[TNHarley]

Americans really do work more hours, but Europeans are happier with their life-work balance.

After school, young Americans face long years of career-building, and while U.S. citizens pay less in taxes than their European counterparts, their buffer against poverty is tiny by comparison - no matter what their income level may be.

Nordic and European nations give workers comparatively luxurious amounts of vacation, subsidized (or free) college education, and generous leave time, around four weeks annual leave plus holidays. And what about parental leave? Compared to the 12 weeks offered new mothers in the U.S. — requiring them afterward to leave either their helpless infants or their jobs — most European countries offer paid leave to both parents with varying degrees of generosity.

Lifespans: Job stress. pressure to be number one, to live beyond one's means, to conform to the corporate mold, and all those shiny status symbols leave many Americans at a dangerous level of stress. For all our wealth and power, the U.S. longevity ranks an appalling number 50 in the world, not only that, our lifespans, after climbing for decades, is now shrinking, gradually but ominously.

Perhaps America still has a few things to learn from those older cultures across the Atlantic.

Americans Are Unhappier Than Europeans And Living Here Costs More. Why Stay?

As author Anne Mackin watches her son and his European fiancee decide where to live, she wonders how the U.S. can compete with Europe and Canada.

www.wbur.org

Their standard of living is a tad lower than ours. Their taxes are through the roof. High rates of depression. They dont have 350m people living in those countries.
Instead of being so emotional, think a bit.

 

[TNHarley]

I have a friend that owns 2 restaurants in Portugal. He has to pay out so much he really doesnt make much money. Probably works 14 or 15 hours a day, and cant afford a car.
All because of the government. He has considered closing up shop and moving here. I hope he does, so he can be happy for once.

 

[Cassandro]

Americans really do work more hours, but Europeans are happier with their life-work balance.

So why does everyone want to live in the US?

 

[bill718]

So why does everyone want to live in the US?

Why don't you ask the 400 million Europeans who don't want to live in the US

 

[initforme]

We have a decent standard of living. Its been deteriorating for a long long time.