European Holiday - Europeans wonder why Americans have it so good. The answer: We work hard for...

The Weekly Standard ^

[Agnes Heep]

It isn't just a question of work versus leisure. We Americans, by our productivity, actually produce the resources that defend Europe and Canada so that they can maintain their way of life. That, and we maintain a damned fine standard of living for ourselves. In short, we have it all; they've got nothing but their chains.

[Rose in RoseBear]

Pingpingping!

[Billthedrill]

call forwarding routes those who dial an office directly to the cell phone of the lawyer, consultant or engineer who is technically on vacation...

No lie. Last week I'm in rural Idaho on vac and I'm fielding technical support calls while I'm clearing brush with a chainsaw. Pity they won't let me take the chainsaw to the office...

It isn't just productivity - another difference in economic performance stems from the layers of bureaucracy and regulation that hinder enterpreneurialism in the EU. Take, for example, the ease with which an entire grassroots industry - nail and manicure shops - blossomed in the U.S. from a myriad of small operators getting business licenses and doing their thing. The fact is that it's just plain harder to do this in the EU. Same with Mom-and-Pop software shops, franchise outlets, web-based mail-order concerns, etc, etc. It seems like such a little thing, but multiplied by the number of players (or potential players) and it's not so small at all. All IMHO and subject to debate, of course.

[Mon]

ping

[Ronin]

Working because you want to is the best form of play. And, despite the traditional level of bitching about work -- something Americans can do with the best -- I would say a vast majority of Americans do like their jobs.

I am not sure, however, that this is always a good thing. Especially in the case of women. The fact is that children are growing up without knowing their parents, mother and father both, because they are too busy at the office.

Maybe the Europeans could and should work more, but we Americans could and should spend more time focusing on our kids -- even if that means a reduced level of income.

Dads need to spend more time at high school baseball games. Moms need to spend more time baking cookies (or vice versa).

My opinion, anyhow.

[demlosers]

We Americans, by our productivity, actually produce the resources that defend Europe and Canada so that they can maintain their way of life.

That's usually lost on Europeans. I cannot recall them acknowledging our defense umbrella maintains world stability.

A what if: If the United States pulled away from the world affairs by becoming isolationists. How many wars would happen in ten years around the world? It sure wouldn't be good for the global economy.

[CFC__VRWC]

By contrast, Europe's leaders disappeared from view, some to the Caribbean, others to Tuscany, still others to California and Montana. No vacatio interruptus for them.

15,000 elderly French citizens just learned THAT the hard way.

[CyberAnt]

Well .. I say we have it so good - because we're WILLING TO FIGHT TO HAVE IT AND WILLING TO FIGHT TO KEEP IT! Something the French apparently don't have the will to do.

[Stefan Stackhouse]

I suspect that most Americans tend to prefer to take several long weekends scattered throughout the year rather than one big long vacation every August. There are multiple advantages to this:

1) There is probably a "law of diminishing returns" operative with days off -- the longer their number, the more marginal the rest and restorative effect of each additional day -- so our 14 days, scattered throughout the year, may do us more good than the Eurocritter's 28+;

2)Because our whole country doesn't shut down and go on vacation for a whole month, but instead staggers vacations, our whole economy can keep up and running for 12/12ths of a year instead of 11/12ths;

3) It is difficult enough to come back to work and deal with the backlog of e-mails, voice mails, snail mails, etc., after just a few days off -- I would shudder to even imagine what a 4-week absence would greet me with upon my return;

4) Because we don't all go on vacation at once, our vacation spots are not all filled to the brim at one time of the year and empty the rest -- meaning that we can actually ENJOY our vacations when we get there, and we can AFFORD them (and even take advantage of great bargains), thanks to the law of supply and demand.

[muir_redwoods]

The best Europe and the rest of the world had to offer left their homes and came here. We are the children and grandchildren they had and they taught us and our parents how to succeed.

Next question.

[randog]

It isn't just productivity - another difference in economic performance stems from the layers of bureaucracy and regulation that hinder enterpreneurialism in the EU.

I remember a story about one of the founders of Sun Microsystems - a German - who said that he came to America to found the company because he never would have been able to get it off the ground in Germany due to red tape.

I had an interesting experience some years ago when I returned from working in the Middle East. I came back to the States through Europe, and I could see the various work ethics from the ME to the US. The author is right--Americans just plain work harder (don't even get me started on the ME work ethic!).

[Sub-Driver]

agree, and we have the work ethic..no one can touch us.

[Righty1]

The U.S. is set up for work while Europe is the Vacation planet. Gray Davis needs an extended visa to planet Europe.

[proxy_user]

Now that the Soviet Union is gone, who would attack Europe if we didn't defend them? I don't see anyone who could do it, or who would want to do it.

[demlosers]

Conflict in Europe may not be on the radar screen, but by removing the U.S. defense umbrella overtime, war could emerge. Places like the Balkans could have spun out of control engulfing war in Europe in war again. the Euros would have to do their own dirty work, which many don't have the stomach to do, until it's too late.

They would have wake up to reality and spend money on defense away from their cherished social programs. Europe has been at peace for the longest time in thier history because of the United States defense of Europe.

Not to mention what would happen in the rest of the world.

[nutmeg]

ping!

Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent ‘miscellaneous’ ping list.

[happygrl]

Good thoughts.

And I agree with them.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

The fact is that children are growing up without knowing their parents, mother and father both, because they are too busy at the office.

And 15,000 French grannies died of heat stroke because the family was at the beach for a few weeks. Rather than return to bury them and interrupt their vacations, they basically told the government to just sort to prop them in the corner until they got back.

It still looks like our system is best.

[danmar]

Let me give you guys a whiff of a real German generosity laws on the books.

Back in 1979-1982 I was working as an construction bricklayer apprentice for a local Construction Company (Karl Schaeffer & Sons in Dransfeld, Niedersachsen; I have to mention him just because he(the Old man) helped me tremendously shape my future.)

In any case, it was this law on the books called "winter time" whereby from Nov 22nd to March 20th, all but a hand full of the regular employees were furloughed with full pay.(25% owner, 75% city)

Do not get me wrong, I kinda liked it, but now a lot older and wiser, having a second look at it, I do not think it was a good law and based on the quagmire their economical house is in it, I belive THAT particular law was/is part of the problems they have to face now and the future.

One other thing, "die Gewerkshaften" (Unions) are very powerfull and on the loose in Germany and the politicians are quite impotent to do anything against their wishes, except kiss the hand and get the blessings.

Europe has a very "BIG" problem on their hands, not only Germany, but France, Italy, Holland, Belgium etc., are in the same leaky boat and sadly it does not look too good for the future. They have had created a very lazy and complacent "monster" "aka 800 lbs Gorilla" class with no desire for change.
Like the say goes..."you reap what you sow"...