Hi sam,

>>... while average Joe/Josephine has real problems making ends meet, working longer hours, worrying about their jobs, losing benefits, losing pensions and generally losing more and more ground. The gains of the last 20-30 years have been all but wiped out and we're heading fast to 1930 working/class conditions.

>The Europeans? With all their vacation days and health benefits? I don't know about that.

Varies enormously from country to country. In holland we only have up to 7 special public holydays (this year only 4 fall outside the weekend) while in belgium they have arround 20 (?). Other vacation days depend on the job. In France they appearantly have a 32 hrs working week, in holland 36 or 40 (depends on the job), while in other eastern countries it might be 44 or more.

As to health benefits. Well, it is how you see that. In much of europe we have a health system that is tightly controled by the government, keeping price low. It has advantages over the wild west in the US where health care providers are doing anything to make a profit, as it is affordable by anyone, and anyone is covered by definition. Yes, we do pay a lot, but if I need serious and expensive healthcare, I won't have to pay anything for that, and won't be broke for the rest of my life. I've seen the differences between a US couple going through IVF and in Canada or Europe. I can say the difference are huge. Factors of 10 times are found here.


Walter,