In Europe short work weeks, long paid vacations, generous health care for all, full retirement at very young ages, thirteenth and fourteenth months pay, generous severance benefits, and all the other humane social legislation has now begun to choke off the economies which pay for all these delightful social benefits.
America spends very little on social benefits or safety nets for its less fortunate citizens. People get laid off from their job but do not receive unemployment benefits. Growing millions do not have any health insurance and cannot afford to go see a medical professional even if seriously ill. The American tax laws continue to encourage companies to relocate their manufacturing operations overseas, and cities like Flint and Detroit are moving towards ghost town status. America is well known around the world as being the most parsimonious, stingy, and brutal of the affluent democracies. Financially successful Americans are being asked to pay a shrinking part of the cost, due to the continuation of the Bush tax cuts on the wealthy.
Military adventurism has continued to grow, even as the American economy remains weak. The cost of supporting this enormous American military and the continual state of warfare is now choking off the economy which pays for it.
In Europe one now sees considerable discussion about raising the retirement age and other painful reforms. There is even a bit of genuine action taking place.
America has not yet even begun discussing reigning in what President Eisenhower called the military-industrial-complex. Politicians do not have the strength of character to dare to suggest significant cuts to military spending. No one can seriously discuss reducing the federal budget deficit if they refuse to also include the bloated military budget in the conversation. If the cost of the military is kept out of the discussion, then it is just political talk. One political party gaining power over the other party. Or it is just an effort on the part of the right wing to kill social security, medicare, and medicaid. When greatly reducing military expenditures eventually begins to be openly discussed, and finally becomes a reality, then some progress can be made in getting the federal budget in order.
Until then it is just so much more blah blah blah by all these big mouth politicians.
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