Enjoyed the video. But other questions should have been broached to the four different groups. Are they aware that America provides the security for Western Europe? What will occur to Europe, and the European Union, when the United States of America withdraws, or disbands, NATO? (NATO was created after WWII in 1949, for the protection and mutual defence of member nations. And to eventually create an economically strong, rearmed and integrated Europe.) Presently, the US provides significantly over 50% of financial allocation needs of NATO.
109
@R - Ah, if your premise is the US bears the cost of militarily providing "security" to Europe while giving Europe a free pass, may I suggest you pick up a few books and gather a few facts.
Unlike your soundbite, the absurd idea you appear to present cannot be fully addressed in the space afforded here. Nevertheless, consider where those troops get based, on whose soil the occupy space, in whose airspace they fly, whether it is in our economic, personal and global interest be part of maintaining "security" outside our shores, and just how much things would really cost you - including your personal freedom - if someone other than us didn't serve as the military providers of the "security" to which you so blithely refer.
What's more, because of the "security" we provide, we maintain a sphere of influence which accrues to our benefit when it comes to quashing or suppressing things hostile to our way of life.
Please take the time to know a few things, instead of pandering, reaching for the easy conclusion, and trying to win an argument at a local bar.
268
@R
2 Points:
1. Another cost not "counted" by Republicans re NATO is that most NATO countries have accepted tens of thousands of Middle Eastern refugees; Germany has taken over a million! And why are there so many refugees? Mostly because of US (Republican) wars. And despite largely creating the refugee problem, the US has taken in almost none.
2. What will Europe do? They will handle their own defense and become a military/economic competitor (?adversary?) of the US. So not only will the US have squandered its world leadership, in time it will need to compete with Europe, as well as China and Russia, both of which have made huge gains geopolitically from Trump's incompetence.
MAGA, indeed.
233
@R
Wasn't this one of the main american policies for decades: "walk soft, but with a big stick ?"
It is correct, the US provided and still is providing the security of europe.
But for a long time the US also reaped in the reward of being the indispensable nation in world, and got a big trade off in return.
America is not walking soft anymore, it is squandering away their exceptional status, being the unquestioned leader of the free world.
And with just the military point of view, it doesn't pay off anymore.
103
Easy explanation: Europe is civilized. We are not. We are stuck in the mythos of 19th century capitalism, which is a charming little cabin in the forest made of cookies and cakes, with a bloated little orange-tufted warlock inside, bringing the oven up to baking temperature.
41
I am as anti-American as they come, but this is silly. What the videos don't point out, is that Americans sell themselves to the US dream, the same dream Europeans dream of. The American dream? Americans live differently, often larger: larger homes, larger and more cars, larger pollution, more energy spending, etc. All this fancy way of life is fueled by debt burdens and then displacement of convenience.
As Trump points out continually, Europe spends in other ways, but not to protect itself: the USA does that, with mostly, and only, the help of France. France is the only European country with its own military-industrial complex... and yet France can't afford it, because the rest of Europe doesn't pay France for protection, and pays the USA only indirectly (by not charging US multinationals with taxes commensurate with their sales in Europe).
Practically this means gigantic economic means diverted for the defense of the West, not to say civilization, in the USA or France, can be focused instead on social services in a country like Denmark. Denmark was at war only six hours against Nazi Germany in World War Two (after a surprise attack). France and Britain were at war nearly six years after declaring war TO the Nazis. France and Britain paid a heavy economic, and human price for that war, so did the USA.
In other words, it is the US' expensive inhumanity which protects Europe's delicate humanism. Same holds within Europe: much money is diverted from West to East by EU.
8
I wish I could read this article, but unfortunately it's not an article. It's a movie. I can't download or play movies on my computer because I have a metered internet connection.
I don't see why there couldn't be a typed transcript as well. This is a newspaper, not TV.
42
If you want government to be in total control of your life and totally responsible for your needs, then the US is not the place for you.
9
The USA is an oligarchy. Enough said.
30
This video is ridiculous. "Hey, let's pick only the things that everyone knows are problems in America and then ask Europeans to opine about them." Pastimes=mass shootings?
15
Another "America is awful" piece. As a liberal. even I'm kind of sick of this. We are not Norway and have fun with China, France.
20
I've spent about half of my last 60 years living in various countries in Europe. America has never been the great beacon Americans thought it was - and really was before 1930.
Even after WW II, they were overjoyed that the Americans came to defeat Hitler, but Jews asked why we had not come much sooner. The French agreed, but then added that the GIs offered women Hershey bars and nylon stockings, but their attitude was you could buy a lay as if all women were prostitutes.
French President De Gaule refused Marshall Plan aid because of the strings attached. In 1964 he asked the American bases to leave, because they served no useful function.
By the mid-60s a German friend pointed out that roughly 60% of German heavy industry was owned or controlled by American companies.
Today, Europeans, and not only your young examples, fail to understand how the US can be so socially backward and economically pretentious. We have lost our good reputation with political acts from the assassination of Kennedy to Vietnam, the Bushes, their wars and economic policies ever since, and the regime change wars.
Their education is a marvel, but as in numerous areas, our publicity has had a negative effect on their policies.
Don't even mention Trump. They have their own troubles, but consider that American acts have fueled some of them.
First since 2003 is the acidic immigration problem that our irrational wars in the Middle East have given them.
28
What the USA sees as terrifying left wing socialism are run of the mill, average centre right policies in many countries.
60
Don't make me start!
4
I listened to the Europeans' description of the U.S. health "system" with alarm, as it's exactly what the dimwits, galahs and drongos of our current Trump-idolising "Liberal"/National Party government would like to do with Australia's health system.
They know it's political suicide to suddenly do it - there would be "rioting on the streets" here too as the U.K. girl said. So instead they have taken to nibbling at the edges, hoping no one will notice.
Australian readers, take note!
16
America used to be admired and a place to aspire to. No more. We have become selfish, self centered, and woefully ignorant. Compassion, a trait we were known for has been lost; possibly never to return. It is a shame. In the 40 years of travels to many countries, upon finding out that you are American used to be met with awe and envy. Now we are known for being gun crazy and the country of mass shootings. It is shameful. Our President is an embarrassment recognized the world over. We have lot our standing in the world as this video proves.
28
And yet The Times is dead set against the only presidential candidate who would do anything about this disgraceful situation.
8
You asked young, ordinary Europeans? They all speak perfect english, with quite with a british accent, so they are not ordinary, whatever that means. Europe is not a monolith, and honestly this video sounds quite silly. Welfare varies enormously from country to country here in Europe, and even from region to region within the same country (please do your homework!).As an italian living in the northen-most region of the country I feel lucky enough to have access to top quality health care. Is it free? Kind of. But in some parts of the country you get a third world health care: people die in Italy because they cannot afford check ups. Is University free? In Italy Universities charge more than in Germany, but provide less services: If you need to move to another city, say Milan, you’ll have to rent a room or an apartment, probably far away from your faculty, so again: say you are brigh but have no money, you’ll be likely to commute to the nearest available University, no matter its quality.
Welfare in Europe? There are 4 distinct social models and they couldn’t be more different. A citizen of Rome can only dream of what a citizen of Copenhagen gets from her State. Food??? We have an amount of food frauds, we consume pesticides like no other place on earth and.... This video is so non sense, clearly made by someone who doesn’t know Europe at all. Europe is just as complex as the rest of the world.
22
I was an 11 year old immigrant to the US in 1956 and left in 1962, realizing that America was a dream even a nightmare for many.
10
Why do we give special consideration to the views of Europeans? If the idea is to get a sense of what other countries think about us, or what they think generally, why do we reflexively look to Europe? Does the Times have any plans to seek out the views of South Koreans, the Japanese or the Taiwanese (each more advanced than most European countries)? My guess is that the media views Europe as some sort of "mother continent". This is mistaken, ignorant and a little insulting to the large and growing swathe of Americans who have no connection to Europe whatsoever. Further, anyone who wants to contrast Europe favourably with America should be aware of a few things:
1) For all its misbehaviour, America built a global economic system in which many countries could be prosperous, including direct intervention in economic policymaking in Japan, Korea, Western Europe and Taiwan. No European country has ever done that with its power and the EU is the latest iteration of longstanding efforts to maintain prosperity/welfare states by keeping Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia impoverished.
2) Even with racism's centrality to our history, people from diverse backgrounds will be accepted as American far more quickly than would be true in Europe, where the citizenship of even those born there is viewed as suspect if you are not of European origin. I came here from Asia and have immediate family members in Europe. The difference in how we relate to our adopted countries is telling.
20
If the US is so miserable why does everyone want to immigrate here? Most Americans are here because they fled their home countries to try for a better life. It worked for most. Also all Americans, with the exceptions of the native Americans and many African Americans, are descended from immigrants. Our forebeares, at least mine, came to get away from the structure and culture of Europe - away from governments that constricted progress in many cases. They wanted to be free, not to have an over bearing government telling them what hey had to do with heavy taxation. So in America, freedom works both ways, you are free to proceed but no guarantees and built in safety net. So I I guess, take it or leave it. When all is said and done, I’ll stay put, here in “Merica.” Otherwise consider moving to Europe and back to all government, all the time. But we are headed that way anyway. Remember - a government that can give you everything can also take it away.
11
What an annoying video! These "young, ordinary", carefully selected and highly coached Europeans acting all superior and everything, just like Americans! The irony is, that as Europeans understand and rightfully condemn America's growing economic inequality, they fully embrace our commercialized culture. Europe is dominated, culturally, by American made (or influenced) music, fashion, movies and even food, with Starbucks and McDonalds increasingly popular with "the kids".
10
These Europeans express the same sentiments that almost every American who has lived in a developed economy abroad does: US propaganda is a sham.
15
High risk, high return.
1
Let's not forget that the U.S. are now formally mercenaries for the Saudi army. I guess that by the end of the next four years, if Trump continues to be president, U.S. will be offering military service to China and Russia.
U.S will be the K-9 of Putin and Xi. Hey boy, catch!
8
we here in the United States do not realize how ridiculous our government is and how basic services like in Europe are not provided to us. Have already expect we are living in an oligarchy not a democracy
13
The major problem the USA has when compared to European countries (or to mine - Canada) is the stark difference between your self serving mythology - exceptionalism, prowess in all human endeavours, pride in having the world's largest (and of course best) military blah, blah, blah and reality. The reason why the USA constantly fails to measure up to other western democracies' humanity should not surprise any American citizen who has any sense of your country's history. Your mythology of the oft touted ad nauseam American Dream of freedom, liberty and all those other ephemeral self serving qualities bears no resemblance to the historic truth - the American Revolution was first and foremost all about money i.e. "no taxation without representation" and throughout your country's history up to the present time that America Dream in reality is all about the ability of each of your individual citizens to make as much money as possible, and most importantly, to keep it.
21
Well, what we have here are Europeans who came of age, specifically political consciousness, during the Trump era. Indeed, back when we had sane leadership (4 long years ago), the world at large did not share the kind of morbid curiosity about the U.S. as they do today. The U.S. is now under increased scrutiny and much of what they are seeing represents the sensational, extreme ends of the American stereotype - extreme poverty and contaminated drinking water in Flint vs. the hyper-wealthy bubble around NYC and San Francisco. What the Europeans don't see is the middle of the bell-shaped curve that represents the overwhelming majority of Americans - the middle class that enjoys employee-provided health insurance, reduced in-state college tuition and prosperous local economies buoyed by technology-related industries and abundant natural resources. Having traveled many times in and around Europe, indeed, I get asked quite often about the illogical appeal of Trump and the healthcare situation in the U.S. But, at the same, the Europeans I've met are either fascinated by the U.S. or have loved visiting the U.S. I suspect that if these European kids stopped staring at their screens all day and actually traveled and immersed themselves here, they would find that we are more similar than we are different.
9
The other modern democracies have an advantage over America: they have proportional representation. Minority positions get a say in what happens (more or less) in proportion to the number of people who voted for them.
With proportional representation, Jill Stein and her Greens might have gotten 10% of the votes, and Trump might have still gotten the most, but the Greens could have teamed up with the Democrats to stop him, in exchange for support for part of their agenda. Of course the evangelicals could have run a candidate who's support would be up for grabs too. But the environmentalists and the fundamentalists would have their own voice and not be forced in with the Democrats or Republicans.
George Washington saw this flaw and cautioned against two-party systems, but given the way it was designed, the result was inevitable. America was an early adopter, and is stuck with what it has.
6
I lived outside London for 3 years from 1994-1997 and gained an American view of Europe in my travels. I am completely in agreement with all the viewpoints in this video. The European union is so far ahead of the US on topics of healthcare, gun control, education, food safety, family rights, equality and on and on. I am embarrassed to travel back to London or anywhere in Europe and confront the inevitable questions around the 'American' way of life. The American dream has been replaced with the European reality. I wish the majority of Americans would wake up and explore what life is like outside our borders; this would have a big impact on our laws, policies and politics. One thing for certain though, we reap what we sow, and what we have sown since WWII is catching up with us.
While America has been the leader in the world with technology advancement and new industries, it seems that only a few have benefited largely from this and it has driven the US disparity between those with wealth to those without to become another embarrassment across the world. There is a lot of benefit to the European model of social democracy that the US can learn a lot from.
17
Countries like Germany, the Netherlands, all of the Nordics, ... show that achieving full employment while providing good public services and having great infrastructure is perfectly possible.
That society model is far superior compared to our raw, predatory capitalism. Nothing Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren proposes is more radical than what exists already over there.
20
There's no such thing as utopia, but other civilized countries surpassed the US in quality of life a long time ago. This country has a big love of the idea of wealth...big houses, lots of gadgets, big vehicles, etc. Our government has a big love for the military...lots of expensive gadgets, lots of interventions, etc. A high percentage of folks are obsessed with the idea that they're "taxed to death" As long as this mentality prevails, we're doomed to failure.
15
It is always possible to criticize any human endeavor. However, the biggest obstacle to improvements of any kind is the fact that humans are afraid of change. We should be able to pick and chose from a variety of good options, but no, we are not built that way. A friend recently said that capitalism has worked well for him, so forget socialism. That is not born from a detailed consideration of alternatives, nor is it fundamentally true for the younger folks, who struggle more than their predecessors have for basic necessities.
2
I'm American and have lived in the UK since 1990 (with a gap back home in the States between 1996 and 2004). I'm a professor over here. I've not counted how many students (British, European, Chinese, etc.) I have taught over the years, but it must be somewhere in the thousands.
I can see one clear pattern: Over the years, the number of students who talk with me about either in living or even studying in the United States has dropped to zero. Zero. This was much different when I first started teaching, when I would counsel at least one student a week--sometimes as many as a handful each week. But now--no one. British students see their future here or in Europe, European students think America is, in their words, "a barbaric culture," Chinese students see a coming Chinese century, and the rest don't feel welcome.
What's worse is that I know European academics who work in the States returning home. Why? Many have young children and can't face the cost of healthcare and education, particularly higher education, in the States. And all, all, have told me they fear for the safety of their children given the prevalence of guns.
As for me--America will always be home. But, hand on heart, while the standard of living in the States is, on the surface, fairly high, the quality of life there is, in a word, awful. So many of my friends back home are stressed-out and carry a load of day-to-day anxiety. It's not a happy place once you scratch the surface.
54
a cherished american myth was exploded 10 or so years ago when the OECD released a study of 25 democracies-'developed countries'-about the ability to 'rise above your station' if you were born poor or poverty stricken.
the usa managed to beat out italy for 24th place.
only in america is it possible was in reality.....most likely not in america.
16
All you need to know is the countries with the highest tax rates in Europe have the highest happiness ratings. Americans are like hamsters on the wheel. Constantly being told the treat awaits you if you pedal fast enough. Except the treat isn't there or it is far smaller than when you first started. And when it is pointed out there is another way that works in other places, Americans scoff at it and say it's socialist. And are mired in their unhappiness as a result. Even when getting a taste of European life in Medicare and Social Security, Americans cry 'No More! That's enough for me, I can't take anymore of this' and wallow in their suffering. 300 million guns is A OK. Taking away assault weapons would be a bridge too far. Even though it would probably still leave 250 million guns if we were to do so. Those crazy Europeans.
23
America is sold to the highest bidder. It is becoming another corrupt country out to help the oligarchs. It is indeed shocking that it doesn't have universal healthcare and other necessary benefits to its citizens. But greed is glorified, every man for himself.
11
I see USAmerica from the other side of the Atlantic, where many of us have escaped to find relief from the caos that our nation has become.
7
Lord Blah Blah Boris Johnson and the other Europeans snobs are in no position to judge America on anything. I lived in Europe for 5 years and what I discovered is that they are as ignorant and uninformed as Americans and even more fractured and divided than we are here in the USA. Instead of looking outward for deficits Europeans should look inward and work on their shortcomings. Here in America we are doing so with great vigor, raging passion and in a very deliberate and slow process to clean up the mess we have made of ourselves. Watch as the crowds chant 'LOCK HIM UP' and Judges decide the fate of our clown President. Watch how we come up with solutions to survive global warming. Watch as we kill anyone planning the next 9/11. Watch how we are still the leader of the free world. No doubt it will be moveable cluster fest. Not only can America walk and chew gum, it can also juggle chainsaws and flatulate at the same time just for the funny. Yes our Constitution is being questioned and muddied up, but it will still be the roadmap that guides all of us. Watch the rest of the world follow us to a better tomorrow and watch how they will come to think it was their own idea. We will not gloat when all is said and done. We will simply continue to be the greatest country in the history of both civilization and savagery. What still remains true is that few Americans want to become Europeans as multitudes of Europeans still come to the become Americans.
6
@Ricardo Jose
Hilarious text, kudos.
But Europeans running to the US to be Americans? I'm seeing quite the opposite here with American fortune seekers attempting to find any way possible to stay in Paris. So that's not my experience.
Perhaps you mean nationals of certain central European countries where economic opportunities are stifled by questionable national governments (Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary)? But trust, me, they're going to Germany and France in much greater numbers first before even considering the US. (The UK dropped off the list and EU citizens are leaving)
Regards.
18
This is why we're glad our son is making his home in Italy with his Italian wife. The jrony- I'm a third generation Italian American. Sad!
8
Hello? I keep writing to you but i guess you don't notice. There is no such thing as: "...the American government" as there are many countries in South America, Central America and North America and they do not have one unified government controlled by the U.S of part of North America. Terribly sorry. (I'm from the United Kingdom, not the United Kingdom of Europe.)
2
The US of a without slavery and without illegal immigration would be just like Canada (with better climate or more people). However, the past cannot be revised.
1
@PaulN
Your stubborn ignorance -- your wilful ignoring of all the advantages of the real societies of Europe & Canada, as opposed to the virtual 'society' -- really a giant ruthless life-long contest -- of the U.S., is clear evidence of the failure of the American educational system.
Your comment contributes to the low opinion other nations have of Americans. You're perpetuating the stereotype.
5
If Americans were so happy and satisfied with their lives, there wouldn't be tens of thousands of them attending wild Trump rallies to jeer at disfavored groups and individuals. I see that as a way of venting emotional pain. And maybe there would be less self-medication with substances of abuse.
As Paul Krugman asserts in his current column, whenever a program to improve people's lives is proposed, Republican politicians, along with the news media and some Democratic politicians, immediately pounce to squash it with the question, "How will you pay for it?" That question is never asked about ill-conceived military adventures.
The wealthy and powerful undemocratically do everything possible to maintain their privilege, to prevent the masses from partaking. They successfully use a divide and conquer strategy to accomplish this. Too many people are programmed to ask, "Why should I spend my hard-earned dollars for something that will benefit someone else?" We shrug our shoulders and say, "Bad is good enough."
I saw a Tweet that said, "Americans like to be taken advantage of." There is a kernel of truth there. The only way things will change is through what Bernie Sanders calls a political revolution: a critical mass of Americans demanding change.
13
The stories about the comparisons to Europe are interesting to be sure. The the same insularity that governs Us citizens isn't limited with to within our federal borders. For those who live in red states, traveling to the coasts can be an eye-opener. I have relatives in the South West who could hardly spend a weekend on the the east coast because it was "so liberal", and we were so "socialist".
6
What is this BuzzFeed? What a useless video highlighting some boring stereotypes that europeans love to rattle off. Here's a thought, interview some Americans living in Europe, ask them what things they see in Europe that they would like to integrate into US policy. Not just a video comparing the tuition of MIT (great example gents) to public uni in nordic countries. This is the exact problem I run into with dialogue surrounding life in the US every time I engage with someone in Europe. We always descend into extreme cases, we never talk about proper day to day life. And the same silly examples come up every time.
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@Michael
The proposition, a panel of young, ordinary Europeans (in London I imagine) confronted with alien cultural is pretty straight forward. There is no hype or click bait deception about it.
Have you given a thought to the fact that your discussions devolve into extreme cases may say something about you, rather than the subject? I won't speculate here bu your comment is more revealing than you imagine in this respect.
58
Just last week I read in the New York Times that the world still looks to America as a model for what other countries should be like. Now the truth comes out. I left America 51 years ago and moved to Europe. I have never met a European who admires America, but I do not travel among billionaires. I sit by the rivers of Québec and I weep when I remember America.
9
Europeans do not understand America, I’m not so certain I do anymore either. The greatest disappoint for me in the last election was coming to the realization as to just how many Americans either lean towards racism and bullying or are in fact racists and bullies. I thought we had moved past that period of our history but obviously not. trump’s MAGA rally cry leaves me to wonder just what epoch he wants to move back to? Now I’m convinced it is the periods of segregation and racism that made America destitute in Europeans’ eyes. So much of our history was tainted and stained with slavery, racism, segregation, inequality for women’s rights and the rights of the disenfranchised, and genocide of native Americans that quite frankly there is no epoch that I would want to return to; rather I’d rather move forward to continue trying to form a more perfect union. I think that this is what perplexes Europeans the most: wondering just where Americans want to steer themselves. Suffice to say the ship has sailed for Europeans in terms of their destiny, but the Americans are left standing on the dock.
11
Having lived in Europe for the past 30 years, I consider myself more European than American. How do I see Americans? Seriously undereducated and inexperienced with respect to the world outside their borders.
So many Americans have been indoctrinated with the belief that the US is the greatest country on earth, yet have never experienced or bothered to educate themselves about what the rest of the world has to offer. And this applies to US politicians as well as US citizens. Want to learn about how to educate children? Go visit Finnland or Singapore. Want to learn about flood control? Visit the Netherlands. Want to learn how to reduce gun-related deaths? Visit Australia, New Zealand or most any European country. Want to learn how to reduce healthcare expenses while increasing longevity? Check out any developed country outside the U.S.
22
The topics have obviously been chosen to skew the impression formed of America in the worst possible direction. Why was there no discussion of the U.S. being the world dynamo in scientific discovery and technological innovation? Why was there no discussion of the U.S. being the most fertile ground in the world for start-up entrepreneurship? Why was there no discussion of the U.S. military being the global bulwark against despots and dictators and the number one killer of terrorists (at high cost in our treasure and young people's heroic blood)? This video is naught but propaganda.
7
@S. Richey
I susppose if you want to make a video you might take just such tack. But propaganda? I would think your themes fit the bill more than candid reactions of a few young people.
Sounds like a comment driven by wounded pride to me, more than anything.
7
A comparison of US rankings with the 35 OECD countries (using, say, Wikipedia) shows that by most measures of progress (reading, infant mortality, corruption, etc) we're pretty near bottom, or mediocre. We're only #1 when it comes to gun deaths and health expenditures (although our health outcomes - longevity, infant mortality, etc - are pretty dismal). Conservatives will say either "That's the price of freedom" (vs those slave states of Scandinavia, Holland, etc), or "Fake News."
14
Americans demand less and get less. It's time to stop for us to stop being sheep and to do things like vote our actual interests and expect our leaders to shape a humane society. It's not all for the rich.
7
I heard Bernie Sanders says a lot: The US is the richest country on earth, why can't we have affordable health care for every American...?
Answers:
1) Compare how much the average of the same drugs in the US and other countries;
2) Compare how much the average physician/specialist make in the US and other countries; and
3) Compare the average hospital costs in the US and other countries.
My conclusion...? We will never have affordable health care in the US as long as we have this fees for service health care structure.
It will never happen....
5
The SOLE reason America doesn't have basic life sustaining social services like our European counterparts comes down to one word: Republicans. Period.
12
Wow, Americans really are like Trump. Any criticism is taken as a personal affront without thought. We are truly brainwashed by the ruling class. In the 1970s I lived and studied in Germany and had to utilize their healthcare system. Studies and healthcare were free. The rest was wonderful. I regret not staying.
18
America is far from perfect, but I'll take her over the place that gave us not one but two World Wars any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
4
@Nick Funny. America is almost always at war.
12
While I always enjoy comparing countries - as one can always learn from good things you find elsewhere- these exercises also carry the risk of becoming a (p......) contest, often fueled by wishful thinking , overzealous patriotism and misconceptions. -
I have to admit , though, that the mantra of being “the greatest nation on earth” , that is so often used by Americans is a bit tiresome. Here, a few statistics could help to get a more realistic view. To save time, one might just watch the episode of “Newsroom” in which Will McAvoy corrects one student’s idea about this very notion. Well worth checking out. (Available at the next YouTube-screen near you.)
5
Optimism isn't just a double edged sword, it's literally a cultural imperative in the US. If you display any sense of critical thinking that doesn't lead to unabashed praise of the system or have the audacity to lose your job, get ill, or any of the run of the mill calamaties in life without making your mea culpa for your own personal weaknesses and then successfully pull yourself up by your own bootstraps that veneer of american friendliness evaporates and you are literally shunned as an outcast.
Noone will associate with you because you're a loser. Not because of any superstition that it will rub off, but by the very real adult peer pressure of guilt by association. It's culturally ingrained not to display any independent thought that doesn't support the vast sucking sound of wealth concentrating to the highest spheres of job creating merit and success. Because life does really seem like a casino to the plebes who think they're one roll of the dice away from their personal eldorado. It doesn't matter if the whole game is the 21st century version of the gilded age, all they have to do is keep banging away.
And you don't have to be a European to see it like it is.
7
The US obsession with low taxes is amazing. Our country is in the lowest decile of total tax revenue as a percent of GDP. Yet we seem to have convinced ourselves taxes are too high.
Our country is literally falling apart. Roads, education, bridges, rural internet, public transport, you name it. Healthcare? A joke of a financing system were we pay too much, get poorer results, and still have 26 million uninsured and a multiple of that under-insured.
The only answer is higher taxes but that is simply not going to happen as long as we have a government that is bought and sold by the wealthy and corporations.
570
@Mike There was a really good article in the NYT recently showing with graphs that taxes in the US are really only low for the wealthiest Americans. Working class and middle class Americans are paying much more of their money in taxes as a share of their income than the wealthy do. I don't have time to look for that article right now, but I think your average American isn't really paying much less in taxes than a European (or an Australian, Canadian, or Kiwi) is. but we sure get a lot less in return for our money than they do!
59
@nuttylibrarian Actually they are. Income taxes are lower for lower incomes but the VAT consumption tax makes up for that and makes the European system actually less progressive than ours.
But overall, European total taxes are substantially higher than ours as noted in total taxes as a percent of GDP which is really the measure that should be used.
8
@Mike. You might want to reconsider this after you factor in the hidden taxes we pay. For example, how much do you and/or your employer pay in health insurance premiums? We don't call that a tax, but it reduces our take-home income (and if your employer pays it, it reduces your salary) and Europeans who enjoy universal healthcare at least acknowledge that they are paying the tax. How much more do you pay for transportation when you have to repair or replace your vehicle because of road disrepair? At least Europeans acknowledge the cost by funding mass transit and regular infrastructure repair through taxes. I could go on, but I think you get the point: we congratulate ourselves on low taxes, but we pay in other ways.
34
I spent my 1st 25 years in southern California. Pure heaven: good schools, good weather, skiing, surfing, diving. Wouldn't change my youth for anything. Then spent the next few years in DC - invigorating, lots of smart people. Had a good job, lots of friends.
Then I spent the last 30 years in France and the UK. Here I have learned that health care is a right, not a privilege. Don't have to take out a 2nd mortgage to send my kids to college. Taxes are about the same (when you take into account all of the "hidden" taxes you pay in the US), maybe slightly higher. But the roads and bridges are in good to excellent shape, death by gunshot is an extremely rare occurrence, people respect each other (does not that they always agree, au contraire!).
And during this time I was fortunate enough to be able to travel to the US on biz often: Boston, NY, Atlanta, Miami, Chicago, Des Moines, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Austin, SF, LA, San Diego. People were by and large super nice, not too aware of what was going on outside the US, but hey, it's a big place with lots going on.
But on my last few visits, wow, people are tense, wary of each other, ready for a fight. I started to notice this back in 2016, b4 im-potus came onto the scene. My conclusion: no need to move back home, I'm good where I am.
752
@Letsfindout in contrast, I spent my first 25 years in the UK and the last 30 in the US.
If you end up in the upper percentiles in the US, it's a very very nice place to live as long as you don't mind seeing homeless on the street from time to time. I remember meeting another ex-Brit who worked in the textile industry here, and he commented on how we could live like kings here compared to our countries of birth.
The flip side, however, is that if things don't go well for you here, then you're very very much more on your own. Given that this covers (among other things) housing, health care and retirement, the consequences of this are far reaching and misery-inducing; not infrequently they cause death.
I go back to the UK periodically (a lot over the last few years), and despite the tourist-y appeal of its scale and history, the parochialism and limited imagination of the culture keeps me happy here, near Santa Fe, NM.
I can still imagine the country of my dreams: basically Canada, but with weather like some part of coastal California. Just the right blend of the energetic entrepeneurial spirit of the US, the social fabric of most of Europe, but without the actual deep freeze of everywhere except Vancouver :)
51
@Letsfindout
I moved to Canada about 10 years ago for work and just become a Canadian citizen earlier this month. I've noticed exactly the same thing you have. In recent years, Americans have become particularly tense, angry, mistrustful, and aggressive. I find increasingly find it disturbing to go back and am always greatly relieved to return to Canada now. It's sad really. The US has become a deeply sick nation, and I'm not sure Americans really know it because they are like the proverbial frogs in the boiling pot. And you are right—Trump may have exacerbated things, but the problem predates him.
116
@617to416 Agreed, esp. the boiling frog metaphor. I decided to get a French passport not too long ago as well (partly to make going back and forth to London easier - oops, Brexit is about to cancel that out). I travel the world on business and it is more convenient (and safer) to travel while being French than American. The only time the USP comes out the drawer is when I'm going back to the US (and part of that is due to the fact that it is against the law for a US citizen to enter the US on a non USP).
Yes the US is sick, but not beyond redemption. Americans have a great capacity to turn things around. Fingers crossed.
39
Excellent video. Should be played in high schools all across our country as an opener for a discussion about why politics matters.
2
We have really sacrificed a lot in our chase of the almighty dollar. We've let insurance cos and pharmaceutical cos become so big that doctors are virtually powerless. We've let companies chip away at workers rights and benefits, while the top brass get richer and the plight of the worker worsens or stagnates, all in the name of quarterly earnings. We've let Republicans gerrymander freely, and the very end result of that is things like Citizens United, Kavanaugh, Moscow Mitch and Trump -- massive corruption and influence peddling. So our business structure is ruined and is eroding the middle class -- without which we're slowly dying. Our judiciary is compromised. Our system of checks and balances is corrupt, as it's only as good as the people in charge. Somehow, however, I'm sure this will be chalked up to immigrants and not flagrant greed. Having just returned from Amsterdam, where there are no homeless, no guns, no crime, no visible police ("because we don't need them"), but instead a thriving, wealthy city, where people are educated for much less, health care is provided and people have money to eat out, socialize and be happy. As Americans, we are were amazed. No crime? Isn't that against human nature? Socialized medicine that didn't bankrupt the country? Their health consciousness, from diet to weight to air quality to biking, puts us to shame.
6
You can add Canadians to the list. I try to tell US citizens I don't need medical insurance because Canada's government funded Medicare program provides all health care needed, they don't believe me. American's can't even have a conversation about health care without mentioning the word "coverage" or "insurance". Health care in Canada is completely government funded but provided by private medical professionals whose fees are paid by by government.
You should try it.
797
@Sunshine Coaster
Amen.
29
@Sunshine Coaster Why? So I can wait 4 months to get an appointment for a check up? Or 6 month wait for my aunt who with Stage 4 cancer to see a specialist. We brought her to the US for an appointment the next day. And saved her life. The difference between us and them is choice. We have it. They have the single option only and no other recourse to appeal to. I will stick with our system of choice.
12
@Rajesh Padole
In Britain, you can still pay for private care or private insurance if you want to, but few people bother. I suppose the hospital food is better if you go private (my experience of being in the NHS hospital was five star, except for the meals).
53
I have hosted 10 high school exchange students since 2012 and to a person they are appalled by 1) our expensive health care; 2) our lousy public transportation; 3) our diets; 4) our crumbling infrastructure; and 5) the irritation at add on sales tax instead of inclusive VAT. Of course, they have been horrified by Trump and his bigotry and corruption. America used to be the proverbial shining city on the hill. Now it's the pits.
2006
@tony83703 I used to work in a blues museum in the Mississippi Delta. Many Europeans visited the museum because the Blues are popular in Europe. Often they would stay around to chat with me. I heard over and over, "There's so much poverty here." Did we ever think, that we as a nation, would have Europeans feeling sorry for Americans?
411
@Jonathan Katz Many of my European friends feel that way. They find it frustrating since the price on the tag isn't the price you pay at the register.
154
@tony83703 High school students? Expert opinions in the cost of health care, transportation and infrastructure. I can buy that they are confused by sales tax.
27
The funny thing is that my taxes (in an affluent NY suburb) are almost the same as those faced by most Europeans. Of course, my dollars go to supporting red states, insurance companies, and elaborate, unnecessary military technology instead of much-needed public services.
1348
@G.H.
Point taken, but does Europe really need that level of "protection"? Do we?
56
@G.H. The US DoD cannot account for $21,000,000,000,000 (yes, trillion) in spending. This has nothing to do with defense. It's contractor welfare.
181
@Nerraw I don't necessarily disagree with any of that. My point is if it wasn't the US wasting dollars on security, more European dollars would be wasted instead. Whether or not the security costs are justified or padded or whatever, the point is the U.S. is, by choice, paying an outsized share of it.
5
My dearest friend is a Spaniard who know lives in the UK. She is perpetually astonished when she comes here and sees the level of homelessness and dereliction in the US, even in cities with colleges (New Haven in particular.) She's stunned at the stark inequity evident within a few blocks in NJ. Having visited the US at least ten times in the last three years, she says she now feels this country is one of the harshest first-world nations in which to live - if something goes wrong, there is no way out and little by way of assistance. You can lose everything if you so much as get sick or laid off from work. She was stunned at the concept of a "deductible" for my medical care - at the time, $6k a year. And yet Americans find this more reasonable than a tax so that everyone can have healthcare. We're blind to anything different.
It's so interesting to talk with her and other friends overseas. They realize the real America isn't the one in the movies or on TV. And none of them beleive it is "the best country in the world," as so many Americans do.
We are a ME culture. They are a WE culture. And we grow more ME with the current administration and its policies.
1406
@HB
This country IS one of the harshest first-world countries to live in, possibly the worst. It started worsening in the 1980's but the rate of worsening has also increased over the last 30 years, and it is literally cognitive dissonance trying to reconcile now with the country I grew up in during the 1970's.
228
@HB
When I travel to Europe, there are homeless sleeping in every major capital. They are surprised by the US because they naively think of the US as this rich, glittering place. When I lived temporary in the UK, I had a British friend who was shocked to see trash on the streets and sidewalks in NY when he visited (I was shocked he was shocked). Another resident was complaining about driving over potholes and, when I casually expressed sympathy, she seemed shocked when that there could be potholes in a "modern" city like New York.
The US is a backward first-world country in many ways (health care, inequality, life expectancy, crime levels), but the surprise other first-world foreigners feel when they visit here is often because they have totally ridiculous pre-conceived views about life in the US.
101
@HB
You very seldom saw homelessness, or people holding cardboard signs on the streets until Reagan came along.
103
You forgot to ask them how they would feel if we reduced our military protection for them and they had to pay for their own militaries.
They would riot.
We could have some of those things if we didn't have to protect them, but...
6
"Free" healthcare. We love the word "Free" but what we must remember is that SOMEONE ALWAYS PAYS IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER! This "free" healthcare is subsidized through taxes which are paid by consumers. The danger is when something is "free" there are always those who abuse it. I experienced an example of this: the laundry room in my apartment building was "free" to tenants. The catch was the electricity had to be funneled through one of the resident's electric output. I was the lucky employee who had to subsidize the electricity used in the washer and dryer. In compensation I got $20.00 off my rent every month. It irked me when I discovered residents were using a full wash and dry cycle for ONE pair of pants or ONE shirt! When asked about this monopolizing and waste, the response was clueless: "I thought it was free."
2
@Dale smith The president of the United States told us that he was going to spend more time in the White House working than any other president I remember that well because the media forced me to listen when I actually wanted to watch a news show without him. Well, he found out that abuse of power is free for he elected and so now he flies free to Florida every other weekend to play golf for which you and i pay not only the flight and the hors d'oeuvres on board but also the meals and stay, that caddies and the clothes at Mar-a-Lago. And we don't even get $20 off our taxes for that.
Sorry, yours is a bad anecdote.
2
@Dale smith
Thing is: we know it is not free but a financial burden carried by all to benefit all.
We really do this on purpose.
5
Mandated vacation time off would be a good thing for U.S. workers. I can hear the screams of 'socialism'! now. I'm just a working man, and I don't think in terms of bold social issues, but a little time off would be nice. BTW, one day I was listening to Rush Limbaugh when he declared that he hates the word 'worker'. I think that tells you something about Rush Limbaugh and his motivation.
4
It is interesting to read the accusations the US politicians have been levelling on the Chinese government. They talk about authoritarianism, suppression of free speech, socialist industrial policies etc. Americans all think that the average Chinese citizen hates his/her government, and lives in fear daily. What the average Chinese citizen sees though are efforts to provide universal, affordable healthcare coverage (which is now approaching 100%), investment in education, worker protection, and even environmental protection. There are of course still many outstanding issues, such as food safety, corruption, rule of law etc., but bureaucrats depend on their performance on these issues for promotions. Some people wonder why Chinese students who study or have studied in Western countries don't return to China and launch a revolution. I talked to quite a few young Chinese, as well as middle-aged Chinese who have spent significant amount of time in the US, and the general consensus is that their presumptions about these rich, liberal countries are refuted by their experiences. This could be because Chinese children are brought up to obey authority, so the relative lack of freedom in China does not pose much of a concern for them. On the other hand, the political dysfunction, the lack of concern on the part of Western politicians on the welfare of the society as a whole create a great deal of disillusion on liberal democracy as a system of government.
2
@Erica Chan "This could be because Chinese children are brought up to obey authority, so the relative lack of freedom in China does not pose much of a concern for them."
Thanks for the perspective and although European and US attitudes aren't far off on China this article just isn't about China nor US comments on China. And you seem to answer your own question on it here.
You've conflated "the West" with the US in an article that specifically highlights Eurpoean reactions to life in the US. In the context of this piece and at this point in history that's quite a stretch.
Is the confusion in your comment intentional and if so, to what end?
2
As a European, there are a lot of things about the US that seem strange to me, especially when it comes to the workplace.
An American friend of mine told me that his entry-level job comes with 5 vacation days and 8 unpaid sick days a year. Here, offering employees anything less than 25 vacation days, and 6 weeks of continuous paid sick leave is illegal. The idea that I might lose my job because I'm sick, and then lose my health insurance because I'm unemployed is just ludicrous.
There is very little reason for the kind of anxiety people seem to face in the US. If I lose my job, I will be paid 60% of my salary for at least six months, and then receive unemployment benefits. I am entitled to a decent minimum wage, regardless of tips. If I have children, I will receive about €200 in support payments a month until they have finished their education, regardless of my income or employment status.
Companies need to organise votes for worker's representatives, who sit on the boards. As a result, some employers have arrangements to share profits with workers. VW paid every single employee €5000 as a Christmas bonus. In larger companies, salaries increases are negotiated by unions, and binding for all employees.
At the same time, the economy is one of the strongest in the world, and there has been a budget surplus for the last several years.
The US seems like a lovely country, and every American I've met has been very nice, but I'd never want to live there.
12
What made this country great is that the average person had a chance to improve their position. The best time,the golden years were after WWII when the gi bill sent a generation to school and houses were available. There was a ladder to a better future but that has been having the rungs cut out one by one till it is almost impossible to make headway.
That really only worked for whites, minorities had to fend for themselves. Yes they did get the same benefits mandated by the government but were restricted where they could use them.
4
“America, where luxuries are cheap and necessities are expensive”. Maybe that’s why buying the latest fads are more affordable than a bag of fresh fruits and vegetables. I am a child of immigrants. It is a daily battle to raise kids to value old world ways and also encourage creativity, entrepreneurship and embrace taking risks that makes America great. However, it is a battle I AM GOING TO WIN...for my grand kids and future generations.
1
Economically and socially, when a European citizen moves to the US, it is like when a US citizen moves to Las Vegas. With the element of luck, a fortunate few will exceed their potential had they stayed put. The rest will flare and fizzle mostly and end up more down and out on their luck than had they remained. Las Vegas is a sparkling magnet with a lots of iron filings rusting all over the place. The US is the City on the Hill lit with a beacon from Lady Liberty. Yet most folks spend their entire lives down below in the gulleys and ravines worn and torn by the trickle down of elitist economic tax low and spend high on military and federal project policies that enrich the contractors.
11
Enjoyed the video. A welcome perspective, and what a nice group of young people!
7
There used to be a tradeoff: social safety net sacrificed for dynamism and opportunity. And it worked more or less, at least for those not inhabiting the underclass. By now the pact has shattered and what remains risks utter dystopia.
The overhaul will require a shift in the attitude about money on the part of the investor class, about what should be public, what benefits society, about the "we". To this end, I make an appeal to the financial titans of this country to listen to their better angels and be concrete.
2
Taxes. The key difference between Europe and America. Europeans tax themselves at a high rate for a high level of services. Americans rebel at paying an extra penny of tax. The benefits that Europeans enjoy Americans denigrate as socialism.
In America business is worshiped and government is considered an evil. We elected a failed businessman as president despite six bankruptcies.
16
I’m sad to say that since November 2016, I’ve noticed how much more stressed we’ve become. I see it, I sense it everywhere, in the supermarkets, on the buses, on the streets. It’s the constant uncertainty, the daily drama and there’s no getting away from it. The tension is all across the country. I divide my time between here and Madrid and, even though it has its share of problems, I can’t believe how much more relaxed I am over there. There are obvious reasons, healthcare, great public transportation etc. But it must also have something to do with not seeing the grind of getting through another day on the people’s faces. I pray that things start to improve with our next election. Our collective mental health is at stake.
18
@keeingsane
I agree. This year I spent a month in New Zealand, several weeks in Canada and the rest in the US. Worked everywhere, thanks to technology and flexible clients. But my friends and colleagues outside the US seem to have much better lives, and I am much more relaxed in those nations than at home.
2
@keeping sane I hate shopping and so the list gets long before I go out. Last week we went to about 8 stores here in Fort Lauderdale.
What shocked me was the number of people begging for money. In one Target parking lot three different people approached us - one a woman carrying a baby. None of these people were what the Trump supports would call "minorities" and all spoke fluent American English.
All in all eight times people asked us for money that day. I had never experienced the US that way before. The only other country in which I was approach so often for money was in Sri Lanka during the war with the Tamils.
4
I'm a US citizen living in Denmark and have thought deeply about this. I made a list comparing what's "better" in the US vs. DK and categorized each topic by "culture" and "policies" to see what items were CHOSEN by the representative governments.
Of course it's subjective, but the DK list (a culture based on trust, low crime, living wage, 52 week family leave, free college & healthcare, 6 weeks vacation, work-life balance, short elections, LGBT acceptance, pension security, few homeless, empathetic prison system, healthy views on sex/nudity, environmentally progressive etc.) was twice as long as the US list (weather variety, more colleges, more diverse, varied topography, better entertainment, more career opportunities etc.).
Do all Republicans have another planet to live on and perfect health insurance? Are they OK with paying for college and 8-12 weeks off after giving birth? Do Republicans like getting minimum wage and accept the risk of being gunned down? I know the argument is "Denmark is small and homogenous, we could never do this" BUT that's just not true! Many things that make life great here were DECIDED by the people - they decided that the society would be better off if everyone had a fair shot and a safety net. Yet - there are plenty of rich people here! Yes, taxes are high but I was a stressed workaholic paying the same amount in the US - federal/state/city taxes + medical premiums, co-pays & deductibles. Quality of life is just better here.
16
I left the US in the mid-1990s and have watched with increasing alarm as my family over there are more and more reticent. They simply won't discuss things like the mass shootings, healthcare, gun violence, lockdown drills, endless wars, and so much more with me. I think they feel like they can't win. I am so so so so glad I left though. The lockdown drills alone would make me look for another country to live in had I stayed in America. But I didn't.
10
After seventeen years living as an American expatriate in France I have come to respect the European concept for national health care, and various other social services that care for all residents.
My membership in Carte Vitale, French national health care, is enough reason to retire in Provence instead of Hawaii, our original choice.
By treaty, all my income taxes go to America but, as an expat I’m not allowed to use my MediCare outside the United States. This is taxation without representation.
France is very welcoming to retired American expatriates.
Think about it!
18
Actually it is not taxation without representation. You are a US citizen, you have a vote for congressman, senators, governor, president. And you have an expatriate exemption of first $90,000 earned overseas from Uncle Sam’s IRS. And, presumably if you are not paying into FICA currently, then you are not paying into Medicare currently. Of course, you have to go to the US to get your free Medicare retiree services. But like the saying goes in the prize winning play: You Can’t Take it with You.
1
With French Canadian roots, I’ve long had an interest in the French culture and made the move to France in February this year for retirement fulfilling a long held dream. But it’s more than the culture that has attracted me. I guess I’m a socialist at heart and admire how Europeans in general take a position that holds concern for the common good. After three months, I qualified for free healthcare. No questions asked. There is another very beautiful thing in the French culture called “la politesse.” Manners are taught from a very young age and there is graciousness everywhere on the street, even from the young. My neighbors have been very welcoming and it makes me happy to be here. As Americans, we have been side walled. We have been indoctrinated to believe that hard work at any price is necessary to get ahead. We’ve ignored the human cost and sacrificed our families, social welfare and finances. Bernie Sanders gets it. I hope with impending elections and increased participation from young voters, our priorities will shift.
12
@Tom Berry ...........Tom, Bernie Sanders has dedicated most of his life, to no avail, fighting for social democratic programs in America.
This campaign is his last hurrah in fighting for his values.
Would that Bernie could have recognized the futility of his life long campaign and retired from the Senate and spend the rest of his life living his dream in another country that shared his values.
Bernie would have fit in nicely in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, or The Netherlands.
The national health care provided him would have likely detected the need for the two stents in his arteries, in advance, and there would have been no heart attack.
8
Bernie may have reached his highest office as Senator of Vermont in his amazing life’s efforts to better our nations. He has called out and fought against the lousy tide which has taken us adrift to where we are today. I was a Bernie supporter in 2016, still admire him. However, Bernie has excellent health care. He has the plan all elected officials in Wash DC enjoy. When the tide does turn, Bernie will be well remembered as a leader of the improved status.
2
I am American who has lived in Europe for over 20 years and to me, the difference is quite simple: In Europe, what you need is affordable and what you merely want is expensive. In America, it’s the other way around.
31
Exactly. The essentials like nice trains and healthy food are not dirt cheap but more community oriented. Schools, healthcare and housing are not a rip-off. Consumer goods are more expensive.
4
@JMJackson
"In Europe, what you need is affordable and what you merely want is expensive. In America, it’s the other way around."
Concise and cogent. I'm stealing it!
4
Oh America. My America. We are adrift on dreams of our past, the present gone. The future never here.
6
Americans who remain in a dreamscape are unlikely to demand policy changes that would work to their benefit. They're lulled into somnolence by mythology, rather than allowing themselves to be aroused by history, realpolitik, or even the stress of their own economic struggles.
6
As a young American living and studying (for free, and with a healthy monthly subsidy I might add) in Finland it breaks my heart to live so far away from my family. However, I can honestly say I’ll never live in America again after experiencing what it’s like to live with the security of an adequate social safety net. Trying to explain the reality of living in America to friends has always been difficult, and in some cases even downright shameful.
24
Forget the myth about its founding because of the desire for religious freedom. America is and always has been a for profit enterprise in which natural and human resources are devoured by greed. The almighty dollar is all that counts, regardless of circumstances. Human kindness does not fit into the system.
16
The USA remains the best country on the world to be in if you are lucky. The other industrial democracies are better of your luck runs out. Canada seems to be the best place to make your luck.
5
Note that they're all speaking English. And note that no one disputes that those expensive universities are the best in the world. American liberals always complain that "In the richest country in the world" we don't have this or that thing; which is ironic given that they clearly don't understand how we became the richest country in the world. (Ask Nikole Hannah-Jones, if you're confused. It was exploitation, dear.)
The liberal romanticization of the poor is absurd: "If you're rich, you must've exploited others; if you're poor, you must've been exploited." Evidently no one is responsible for anything -- we're automatons driven to, or put in, positions of vulnerability or power by forces beyond our control.
In general -- there are wild exceptions -- the successful tend to be better people than the poor. Proportionally more of the poor are slothful and greedy; more of the wealthy, diligent and generous. Überconcern for paupers isn't a bad thing (although idealizing a category of people is). Coupled with an antipathy to hierarchy and specious beliefs about capitalism, it certainly is.
Liberals are tolerant, sure, except when one disagrees. And half the country disagrees. Do Europeans appreciate piggybacking off our innovation and living under our security shield? If progressives got everything they wished for, does anyone imagine that would be the end of cries about inequities, injustices, and unfairnesses? Their purpose is predicated upon an endless vanquishing of the past.
4
@David L, Jr. "which is ironic given that they clearly don't understand how we became the richest country in the world"
If I were you I'd give a little more thought to this phrase than you appear to have done. You might comme up with different answers than the standard tropes like "Europeans appreciate piggybacking off our innovation and living under our security shield" which display zero independent thought and even less knowledge of facts.
Come back to join the discussion when you've meditated on the subject awhile.
Regards.
3
@David L, Jr. you just expressed all the lies and the conceptual defects which make the USA so dangerous to the world's peace and ecology .
4
It's quite alright.
Some of us see Europe what it is, and we're not all that impressed either:
1) Youth unemployment at staggering levels
2) Rigid labor markets where employers aren't too keen to hire, because firing the wrong hire is a nightmare with the labor laws
3) Lower levels of entrepreneurship
4) Lower levels of innovation (how many Facebooks or Googles or Microsofts or Apples has Europe produced?)
5) Faux militaristic defense because they've only really ever relied on the US to police the world
6) Berating Trump for questioning the value of NATO against Russian aggression, while simultaneously handing over billions of dollars to Russia's treasury for Nord Stream 2
7) Sanctimonious positions on Iran, while really securing oil interests there (I'm looking at you Macro and Total SA of France)
8) Tolerating Islamic mores to the extent that Europeans now tolerate intolerance
9) Loss of sovereignty in national affairs, all in the name of technocrats in the wealthiest countries telling the poorer ones what to do
10) A Germany that has used the artificially low euro value to export its goods and create wealth for itself while simultaneously driving Greek pensioners to ruin (see #9 above)
The list could go one further with someone more educated than I am...
10
@Jason W .......The members of the European Union vary widely in their values and government funded institutions.
Scandinavian countries tend to be more egalitarian and fairly divide services among all residents.
Generally speaking, Europe can be fairly described as a We oriented culture while America is more a Me oriented culture.
After WW II Europe became a protected American friend making it easier for European countries to concentrate on caring for citizens and not spend money on war and the military.
9
This list is stuffed with so many factual errors and lies it is not funny. And too big a task to repudiate all these robot talking points.
I was a Nato soldier stationed in Germany handling military secrets some 30 years ago. Believe me, we were there with our nuclear arsenal to defend the US, not Germany. In fact, we were willing to nuke Germany as part of our forward defense.
5
@Jason W Where does all that wisdom come from? Just a few comments from Europe.
1) That varies widely between European countries. And other than the U.S. we do provide a (sadly not everywhere any longer) public school system to everyone while the U.S. simply don't care about education for a huge percentage of its young people...
6) Russian aggression - made up by NATO's Public Relations Department
7) Right. On the contrary the USA is only interested in spreading democracy all over the planet - LOL. I think you did enough damage already in that part of the world...
10) This is a nice fairy tale...
2
The opinions of the young Europeans leave me bewildered. Why are they not rioting in the streets to demand that their governments expel the 65,000 US Military personnel stationed on European soil ?
4
@Dan M France did it decades ago. Germany was a little more contrite, but thankfully the US has the grace to start pulling out, only 75+ years late, but since US infrastructure in Germany does nothing for European defence and only serves as a base for forever wars force projection to the middle east and africa, it seems like a vain objective to even try to push the soldiers out, Empire and all.
5
@Dan M
Why aren't millions of Americans, young and old, rioting in the streets to demand an end to an obscene military budget?
4
@Dan M .........
Because American soldiers help protect European security and also provide a market to buy European products for the soldiers families.
Many American soldiers marry Europeans and then stay in Europe after retiring from the military.
Many Americans working for American international companies in Europe fall in love with Europe and refuse to return to the United States.
The American Dream has become exactly that. It's just a dream.
12
The USA has forgotten the wisdom of its founders, who warned repeatedly about the dangers of "party spirit."
Despite myriad other challenges, no European country is burdened with a double-ended wrecking ball like the one which America's two party system has become. The GOP has thrown away almost every sense of principle it once had. The Democratic Party has lost almost every backbone fiber it once had. The Republicans steamroll mindlessly and recklessly, Democrats wring their hands, and America and the world suffer.
5
Yes, we have all the needed resources to fix the problems. Yes. We are the world's largest economy.
The problem is that our country is tied up too much to Money and Profits, controlled by the big time corporations and the wealthy. Campaign financing supporting various interest groups. They control all the questions we have - Income Inequality; Healthcare; Medical Drugs; Gun Control, and so on.
Our policy makers know this. They have to pass legislation, to change the system.
4
It is a measure of how far we are sinking that what is considered normal, humane and safe in Europe is somehow considered impossible here. Not difficult, not unlikely -- impossible. Impossible to stop sale of assault rifles, impossible to have a national health system, impossible to build a safety net for our must vulnerable citizens. We are full of excuses and our failings all cost us more in the end. We're too large, we're too diverse, freedoms must be respected and on and on. Since when did Americans stop believing in possibilities?
11
Europeans spend almost nothing on their defense - and have no real defenses. They spoil themselves with enormous social benefits and huge vacations while doing everything possible to eliminate their demographic future through minimal to negative childbirth. Their porous, and underdefended borders are open to an ongoing invasion of hostile elements that have no intention of assimilating into European culture, or what is left of it. Thanks to the EU every effort is being made to strip individual nations of their culture, values, customs and patriotism. In short Europe;s future is grim, very grim. At the same time they expect Uncle Sam to do all the fighting for them and to be ready to bai them out yet again when the entire keg of, yet again, German driven faux-unity blows up in their faces. The problems is not what do young Europeans think about America The question is why do they not think at all. And why do the few who do try so hard to come to America.
5
@JJ Gross WOW, what an extreme, ideological, right wing view. I have lived many years in the U.K., Germany and the US and none of your statements are remotely true. Europe and the US are in fact very similar in many ways. My main observation is that in northern European countries the State does a much better job at protecting their citizens. Access to health care, protection from gun violence, economic equality are indeed taken for granted there by everyone, but are these are privileges of the wealthy in the US.
The idea that the US military secures European security is particularly outdated. The US has always only protected its own interests, military presence in Europe served that purpose, nothing else.
22
JJ Gross
Jerusalem
"At the same time they expect Uncle Sam to do all the fighting for them and to be ready to bai them out yet again when the entire keg of, yet again,"
Coming from the tail that wags the dog, I find this comment particularly delectable and amusing in its contortions.
2
Gee imagine that. Spoiling yourself with something like healthcare Vision Care pensions and the whatnot. All instead of endless war. Just imagine that
3
Some people criticize European society as 'collectivist', while praising America as individualistic. This argues against big govt interference in our 'freedoms.'
But, here's an example of American collectivism masquerading as 'individualism'. Our politicians and our corporate mega donors collectively make policy to increase the political power and profits of mega donors. This benefits the politicians needing money to run.
We hear about 'Collusion'? American business colludes with public officials who depend on big money. We citizens can't compete in influence.
They are well collectivized, in fact they're 'unions' of business interests. But We the People--- the citizen majority--- are individualized, with little combined power to affect policy for our benefit.
Studies show, which the media ignores, that a small group of elite megadonors set the limits of our lawmaking. Private profit is 1st priority in crucial rights and benefits for citizens.
See Princeton's Gilens and Page, and many others using congress records to show how most of our laws are passed per the wishes of the 1 percent and their lobbyists.
And this is sold to us as American Freedom. Our highest court pretended any limits on mega donor money are against our precious Free Speech per our revered 1st Amendment. The court turned our own constitution against us citizens.
Are their any similar laws in other democracies that effectively muffle the voice of the people who elect their govt?
17
@Meredith
"Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country." Translation: Bootstraps for the masses, socialism for the military and ruling class.
1
The peace of mind not to worry about your health care bills and to get a higher education based on your skills, not the size of your parents wallet is enormously liberating.
16
...and in addition it creates a greater possibility of mobility for people to actually pursue that dream.
6
Interesting to see so many people here are offended by these kids. Where I just see people from another continent talk about their own values when confronted with differing ones from the US. Why is it that so many here think the US is entitled only to be seen as the best, the pinnacle, the city of light on that mountain and are offended if they find out not everybody agrees on the same things ? While these kids also clearly talk about how much they admire other parts of the American way of life. You cannot force everybody on the planet to admire you whole. And let’s not forget, large parts of the US also agree with some of these, sought out, differences. Or have we forgotten the mass demonstrations by college kids from the US after the last mass shooting. Or the massive support for some kind of universal healthcare pollsters find. Just embrace the differences, learn what your own values are and be proud of those. As these make you, YOU.
20
I just came back from a lengthy visit to Spain..France..Great Britain. My best take away...waking up every day and not wondering how many people were shot. I ran out of some medications..going to the pharmacy I was given blood pressure meds ...diabetic...and arthritis pain meds. NO CHARGE...The pharmacist was able to dispense after a few questions. I love our USA..but we need to get a grip on every day life.
18
Years ago when traveling to Europe, on one of those tours that hit several countries in a few weeks, many fellow tourists wore a Maple Leaf pin. They were from Detroit and the pins were evidently part of the travel kit their travel agent supplied and I noted the same thing on trips thereafter. It wasn't unusual to be taken for an American and I never corrected anyone , though if they found out they apologized deeply.
4
In the EU the vast majority pay into the pot, and therefore the vast majority gets to take out. The EU tax payer is not supporting inner city Detroit and massive rural areas in US, where the taxes only flow in one direction. The EU does not need to spend billions on military might because they know good ole' US got their back.
The main difference between the EU and the US is that US tax payers and US law is unusually generous (historically so) supporting massive numbers who do not pay into the pot, while EU taxpayers pay only into pots where everyone is paying in and living (more or less) equally responsible lives.
We're just more generous than most, so we give much more to those who need (and can't reciprocate) without receiving near as much.
The proof?
Now that large minority immigration is flooding the EU from Africa and the Middle East, the system of free this and free that is breaking down and the right wing is growing.
The numbers don't work as soon as taxpaying Denmark needs to support inner city Detroit, Atlanta and rural Kentucky, as well as paying for the military shield of neighboring countries.
Let's revisit this in 5 years as the immigration grows and we'll see how "progressive" EU deals with the challenge of unequal tax burden. From what I see so far the US is doing great.
5
@Jack M This view is so typical American. I’ve lived many decades in Europe and I would say the main reason right wing views are now more popular in some European countries is that the welfare state is slowly eroded by the world wide transfer of power to large corporations and the fact that fiscal policies here, like in the US, benefit the rich. Life is getting tougher for poorer people and the right wing ideologies, as in the past, provide “easy answers”, such as blaming immigrants.
14
@Oliver
Option 1: welfare state is slowly eroded by the world wide transfer of power to large corporations - blame the rich
Option 2: welfare state is slowly eroded by more dependents who are not contributing - blame the poor
Maybe both are true...time will tell
3
A divided population is easy to control. They want us to put ourselves in classes that make us feel superior. Different ethnicities, socio-economic status, different religions... As long as we view others as lesser, we will never unite and truly revolutionize this country.
2
Just wait until the Walmart crowd finds a VAT sticker price of 15-20% added to most of those rolled-backed deals. Or, how about when the 47% in this country who don't pay federal taxes find out that the end of year refund isn't happening ... ever. This is just a smidgen of financial life in a socialist European country. I lived it for 16 years. Life was (and is) tough for the working class, wherever you go.
8
Which country in Europe is socialist? Name one.
In this crucial political time, why are Dems quite ineffectual at getting their message across, despite evidence they could use---of how dozens of capitalist nations pay for HC, tuition, and family services?
Dems talk bold, but are they intimidated? Why didn’t Warren explain better how she’d pay for HC, using dozens of working examples abroad-- not all are single payer?
Why has Sanders just repeated the same line -- the US is the only country w/o HC for all--- but that’s all he says?
In the 2016 debate Sanders did cite Denmark once. Hillary replied, America is NOT Denmark! That was the end of it. Easy.
This lets the media repeat GOP slogans, scaring the public, making for doubt and confusion about taxes and big govt socialism. Our media calls itself free and independent, but it fears Fox and GOP calling them too ‘left wing’.
For some time, Dems competed with GOP for big donor money. Now some are raising money with small donations from citizens. Will this start an effective trend that might free us from big money politics?
It's amazing to learn from Wiki that many countries ban the paid political ads in media that swamp our voters. That's our biggest campaign expense.
Many ripple effects. I'm waiting for a Times article on that!
1
"We don't pay a penny to it, its completely free"
Free medical care Euros have right? Oh but they pay a 20% VAT. Leaving that out because it doesn't fit the narratives of Elizabeth Warren.
7
@Dave
That also includes university
The US is not a modern Western country.
It is a century behind.
That is not entirely new. It took nearly that long and FDR in a Great Depression to catch up with Germany on Social Security, worker comp, and similar basic rights that even that right wing warmonger Bismarck ensured they got (if only to silence his opposition).
8
What a joke. This is comparing apples to oranges. It depends which USA you are talking about. Any neighborhood or city in the US with a similar cultural demographic to Denmark has equal or better lifestyle, safety, and general quality of life etc.
Don't compare Denmark to the USA as a whole. Compare Denmark to a similar demographic (the United States of Westchester) and see who comes out ahead.
USA = 40% minority (often underprivileged)
Europe =14% minority
Denmark= 10%
The beautiful thing about the USA is that in addition to providing for their families, the hardworking US taxpayers also fund massive government assistance for people from underprivileged backgrounds and areas with low economic opportunity, such as inner cities and as rural areas.
There has never been a more charitable, generous, unappreciated group in history than the USA taxpayer.
12
The underprivileged in the US are the result of the system and not the root cause for it. The fact europe has less underprivileged people is the lush welfare system that redistutes from the rich to the poor. In the US people rather dole out money to the 0.1 pct of the 0.1pct and hope for trickle down economics to kick in. Neither system is better or worse. It is just valuing different aspects of life in different ways.
6
"minorities"? Hello? Diversity isn't the number of black and brown people you see in your immediate vicinity
@Jack M. And the US isn't more diverse than many European countries and far less so than some European and other countries seen as open to immigration or not.
The "diversity" card is a dog whistle for the US's historical issues with non whites. It is also factually incorrect. Here's one statistic that more accurately and objectively captures diversity. Numbers vary according to source, but % foreign born residents by country : United States 14.3
Germany 14.9
Russia 7.7
Saudi Arabia 31.4
United Kingdom 13.2
United Arab Emirates 83.7
Canada 21.9
Australia 33.3
France 11.1
Spain 12.8
Diversity is just the tired excuse regressives use to refuse any economic and social policies that might might otherwise help out "those people".
6
@Jack M
A better comparison than Denmark would be Canada.
Fun video.
A couple of points: I wish Americans in general were more aware of the fact that many countries - especially the affluent ones that can afford to do so - ban the import of a lot of our food because they consider it dangerously unhealthy. The hormones, antibiotics and insecticides in much of our food are considered unsafe in many other countries.
In fact, I suspect the majority of Americans don't really understand the extent to which the residents of other affluent countries receive support from the government in the areas of healthcare, education, family-raising and retirement that would literally be unfathomable here for so many people. I think if you were to measure the standard of living of Western Europeans against that of Americans, the Europeans would come out on top. We may have bigger paychecks and bigger homes, but on the essential necessities of life - healthcare, education, pensions, raising a family, work-life balance - they've got us beat by miles. And the bizarre part is that we certainly have the resources to change things, but choose not to. Insane.
Something that gave me a chuckle: the portion of the video where you show Europeans the cost of an American college education by citing the cost of MIT! Really, MIT? I know the cost of a college education is absurd in America these days, but you could've used a state school or the sort of school that the majority of college students attend. Your east coast elite bias is showing.
12
I spend most of my waking hours worrying about what pre-adult Europeans think about America. My worst fears, confirmed
7
"It’s true that the United States grapples with a larger and more diverse population than that of any European country."
Diversity isn't our strength, end of discussion.
3
When Bill Clinton was inaugurated for his first term, I was in Paris, on sabbatical. Most times that I walked into a small store, as soon as the employees realized that I was a French speaking American, I was asked a slew of questions about the Clintons. I felt for the first time that this man was my president. I wrote Hillary and Bill a letter about healthcare and the possibilities for our nation. My favorite line in the letter was, “We are a nation seeking mediocrity as it’s highest level of expression.”
Twenty-six years later, who dreamed that the mediocrity could descend to where we are now.
How did we get here? Trump is merely a symptom of the damaged society that previous administrations have wrought over the years particularly since Reagan.
11
Actually the population of the EU is much larger than that of the US, and in many ways more diverse. But they value all their citizens, not just the 1%.
22
@Paul Adams
I don't think you've spent much time in Europe at all. Go to the suburbs of Paris or Hamburg and ask them if they feel like the EU values them as citizens.
2
I'm surprised that I've come across no comments regarding the 800 pound gorilla. Guns. Maternity/paternity leave - nice. Fewer chemicals in food - great. No potholes - awesome. Health care for all - wonderful. One can fairly debate how to improve our health care set up, it certainly needs improvement. Debate VAT taxes, property taxes, income taxes, BUT...
I believe the defining characteristic of America to the world is our love affair with guns. The reaction of the people in this video regarding guns says it all. And brought tears to my eyes.
If only we had the will to do something about guns....
16
@zoe
As a European by birth and Canadian by residence, it's not guns but a love affair with litigation. Literally everything in American society seems to be governed by lawyers and insurance companies.
Nowhere is this more prevalent than in family court. The brilliant documentary "Divorce Corp." does a remarkable comparison of how Europeans handle divorce and child custody disputes versus how Americans do it.
It's insane that your family court system costs $50 billion/year, with over $2 billion of that just from California - more money than civil and criminal court combined.
Quite frankly the heinous rulings and injustices of that family court go a long way to explain your fondness for guns, and the gun violence in your society.
No other industrialized nation treats it's citizens the way the United States does. None.
And the reason is because one of our two major political parties has embraced the usury and pillaging of them. Yet, despite this, that have somehow developed a propaganda machine so effective, it can convince a large minority of people that it's the other party that's destroying their lives - based on oft repeated tropes that, while being easily disproved as lies, continue to hold water for those who choose willful ignorance over the truth.
If the wisdom of the majority had prevailed the way it's supposed to in a so-called Democracy, the "reign of error" that has defined the last two Republican administrations would have been avoided. And instead of 12 years of unmitigated disasters and waste we could have had 12 more years of progress.
The GOP knows that the decades of shafting everyone below the top 1% is starting to wear thin. That's why their leaders are spending all their time and energy trying to rig elections, instead of winning them, because they know their political platform is finally being exposed as being as corrupt and morally bankrupt as they are.
There's a reason Moscow Mitch refuses to bolster election security, and Donald Trump uses $391 million in tax-dollars to extort a foreign leader into helping his re-election bid - It's because they know that the only way they can keep winning elections (even with a minority of votes) is by rigging and stealing them.
21
It's a well produced video, but, I missed the comparison on taxation. If you showed an American, what those folks pay in taxes, many would rather sort these things out themselves, rather than being taxed, and then offered perks. That's mostly why we're organized the way we are. Except that our health care system is way too expensive. And we're crazy about guns. If I have a point, it's that you can't cherry pick issues like this, it's a larger conversation, that is, if you're trying to actually understand meaningful differences between countries.
8
But look at European minimum wage before you complain about their income taxes. In some cases its drastically higher than US minimum wage, so then so what about higher taxes? They get a lot from them.
9
@Laume
Look at unemployment and particularly of the young to see the effect of high minimum wages and general employment protections.
3
@sethfinn
The taxes are high, but fund so many basic needs, that the disposable income of Europeans is actually higher than the average American's.
7
Years ago, my husband and I went to the Netherlands to visit his relatives. I was surprised to find how many family members, as well as their acquaintances, were on the dole. Apparently, upwards of 25% of the population was dependent on the government for a living. When my husband asked his cousin why she wasn't working, she said, "I have "burn-out."" That is actually a legitimate condition that allows a person to quit working for the remainder of her life in the Netherlands. You receive what you were earning while working, plus all medical care.
Such largess wouldn't go over in the US.
9
@Susan The Dutch unemployed do NOT receive what they were earning before. Yes, the health care stays.
6
@Susan,
It’s not quite as simple to say you get diagnost burn out and you don’t ever have to work again. There are a lot procedures taking place to get that person back to work. Though the fact that we have those procedures is good of course. Also a lot of the costs for getting the person back to work is paid by the company they work at, and partly by the government. Companies here pay a lot more for a sick person than most assume, from salary to reintegration costs. That’s beside our healthcare system, which greatly covers most of the costs for needed care.
It’s a network of systems we have in place to make sure someone doesn’t fall out of society, and to make sure they can return to being a ‘whole’ person again. It’s a lot more complicated than simply saying the working taxpayer pays for every sick person.
And I wouldn’t want it any other way. I am never sick, I have a good paying job and I am happy to contribute for people less fortunate in life, be it in health or just because they got dealt a bad hand in general. I am healthy now, but who knows in the future, I might need serious care too, I’d like to think I could get it without going bankrupt.
Haven’t watched the video, but I can probably guess that most of the interviewed will have liberal views when it comes to healthcare, gun control etc, and don’t understand how you can ever elect such an unintellectual baboon as Trump for president. I literally cringe every time I hear the man speak.
2
A related issue: I am all for a $25.00/min wage. But the question is, Who is paying for it...?
It seems the corporations are not paying for it, we, the middle class consumers are.
Have you not notices how much it costs to go to a fast food restaurant lately...?
It used to be $6.00, then $7.00, etc. Now, it is up to $10.00, ever since NYS passed a $15.00/hour minimum wage law...!
5
@John D
That is nothing compared to what you are paying for food stamps, subsidized health care and many of the things the poor rely on that are funded by taxpayers because they are low-income.
1
Re: Desire to emigrate from Europe/Africa/Asia to USA or Canada
My take is that those who chose the USA do so because they see the US as a place one can get rich. Those who chose Canada (or Australia for that matter) do so because they want some economic security and social peace. Sort of a medium between social-democratic Europe and USA-style (wild) capitalism. Simply put, the US is a better place if you are or expect to become wealthy, Canada the better choice if a decent middle-class life is what you aspire to.
7
An interesting exercise but one where the reaction of the young Europeans can come as little surprise .
The young German man in particular made two telling observations , one being his bewilderment as to why Americans are not on the streets rioting , secondly that in Germany they don't wave flags.
In essence both these points are what make Europeans and Americans so different.
In Europe people hold their Governments accountable, the likes of Trump and his Republican troops that march with him would have been ousted out of office about 3 years ago. Correction he never would have been elected to begin with.
As far as the flag waving, Nationalism is rightly thought of as being a danger to European unity and generally is unacceptable. There are of course Nationalists and their fellow traveling Populists, who make a lot of noise, but are seen for what they are Putin's puppets.
The European psyche is a million miles away from that of most Americans, which is why so few Europeans legally living in the United States choose to become US citizens. To them Americans are for the most part are unrelatable.
14
@Britl
The Germans invented flag waving in the 30s.
2
I confess to an over-simplification, but
Many Euro nations have "safety-net" policies.
In America, it's "sink or swim." And if you "drown" ... too bad.
If you succeed, the sky's the limit.
Not saying one is better than the other
that's just the way it is. Doubt it will change.
5
I'm sorry, but what's teased in that short article is a bit far fetched. "Cause riots"?! Seriously? There is almost no parental leave e.g. in Switzerland, Poland, France...
Chemicals in food is standard - just like in the U.S. (the EU is not able to ban glyphosate)...
Proper education depends more and more on a family's financial abilities to pay for private schools since our public schools are losing ground (and we have a long tradition of elite schools like in Britain or France...)
What's shocking is the obvious lack of knowledge of the young Europeans you asked for your survey...
9
All the Euro visitors coming to our little corner of WV love it and feel quite at home.
4
To a very great extent, this is because conservatives have been so successful at falsely equating liberalism with socialism, which has resulted in enormous bias against liberalism.
The following distinction between liberalism and socialism is important because many people use Winston Churchill opposition to socialism to attack liberalism:
“Liberalism is not Socialism, and never will be...
Socialism seeks to pull down wealth; Liberalism seeks to raise up poverty. Socialism would destroy private property; Liberalism would preserve private interests in the only way in which they can be safely and justly preserved, namely, by reconciling them with public right. Socialism would kill enterprise; Liberalism would rescue enterprise from the trammels of privilege and preference. Socialism assails the pre-eminence of the individual; Liberalism seeks, and shall seek more in the future, to build up a minimum standard for the mass. Socialism exalts the rule; Liberalism exalts the man. Socialism attacks capital; Liberalism attacks monopoly."
Canada has what’s referred to as Democratic Socialism, which consists of things such as public schools, public libraries and museums, national parks. Canada has socialized medicine for a very long time. Yet, it’s considered a “full democracy.” The Economist Intelligence Unit rated Canada as a "full democracy" in 2016.”
Even before Trump was elected President, the United States was rated as having a "flawed democracy."
6
@Mark Baer Canada is a constitutional monarchy within a parliamentary democracy. HM is head of state.
I left the USA in 2004 living and working in MX 15 yrs. Americans have absurd ideas that their country is much safer and better than it is. I was brought up internationally and waited till the internet was fully functional to get out. My brother left in 2005 for Singapore. Many others also well educated professionals are in Canada, France, Iceland, Australia. My latest argument w ignorant Americans was about safety in MX - what a laugh they consider this country unsafe: guns are highly illegal for civilians and hard drug usage is virtually nil. This country has universal health care and free and subsidized higher education including medical and professional degrees. The US students are way behind. The narco cartels are an export business for the consuming country the USA and are isolated in mountain regions. I think MX should sue the USA and big pharma for the havoc it has created with its huge heroin market and exportation of illegal weapons.
9
I tried to help a woman in San Francisco. She had been walking in a crosswalk on Market Street when she was struck by a bicyclist. Her head had hit the pavement and she was helped by witnesses to the sidewalk. Her head was bloodied and all she could do was beg for us to not call an ambulance because she could not afford it. This was over 20 years ago.
13
I recently returned from a month long trip exploring Germany. The German people were kind, helpful, very informative and honest.
They openly talked about the similarities of what their county suffered under the Third Reich and what is currently happening in the United States. It was chilling and frightening.
I observed posters and signs denouncing Trump (not the American people) and their hatred for him was palpable.
22
I hope someone points out to these students that roughly half the country supports what their governments offer:
universal health care,
much expanded family leave and day care,
reasonable gun control,
mass transit and well maintained infrastructure,
much better help and support for students, the impoverished, the homeless, the mentally ill...most who are in need, and so forth.
And most of us will accept the increased taxes that pay for these things, especially hefty increases on the billionaires.
It is the repubs in this country that oppose most anything that benefits the average person, and support most anything that benefits the wealthy at the expense of everyone else.
Most of us can't believe the state we're in, especially with an incompetent fool like tump in the White House.
Not all of us support greed and selfishness, but too many do. I hope we wake up before we really are totally destroyed from within.
9
Agree very much with this article but must point out nevertheless (before our young continentals enjoy their smug superiority a little too much) that the majority of American immigrants in a good part of the nineteenth and for most of the twentieth centuries were refugees from European disasters. Not so much laughter then.
5
Who cares what young Europeans think of America? Their populations are declining.
What do the Chinese, Indians and Middle Eastern people think of Americans? That is where the populations are growing and could really impact America, both positive and negative, into the future.
6
@Mary
Ooh, ooh, I can answer that one re: the Chinese.
If you are an American visiting China, you are likely to be asked two questions:
1) Why did George W. Bush and Trump get elected when neither of them won the popular vote?
2) Why does 'everybody' own a gun and kill about 40,000 of your fellow citizens every year?
Warning: any answer you give sounds ridiculous to the Chinese and your fellow Americans.
1
I lived in Europe and still visit every couple of months. Trying to squeeze the complexity of the continent into a stupid video clip is beyond insulting. Sure, some things are true. Few Europeans approve of the availability of guns. Many do have an image of America that is “larger than life”, optimistic and untrammeled. Many don’t like Trump. But this is where it becomes complicated. How about Eastern Europe? Where are young people from Poland, Hungary and Estonia where Trump has higher approval rating and socialism is a dirty word? How about the angry French students I met recently who have no prospect of a job because youth unemployment in France is so high? Many were asking me about visas and green cards. How about Brexit voters? Why not to interview the young Belgian I know who is working in the Silicon Valley and has no plans to return home? This clip is cringeworthy. But it does support one widespread stereotype about Americans in Europe: they are just not very smart.
9
“In Germany we don’t wave flags,” is priceless!
Thank you!
Could you do a follow-up interviewing some of American twenty-somethings giving their assessment of Sweden or Germany or whomever in fluent Swedish or German or whatever? (If necessary, even British could count as a foreign language.)
2
I am quite surprised that these young Europeans still consider the USA some sort of shinning beacon after their comments during this video.
As an Australian, the general consensus among us is that America is a country that has always had a false sense of its own greatness.
Ignorant is a word that crops up time and again.
Of course no country is perfect but America gets so much of the easy stuff wrong.
13
The United States has given the world Amazon, Google, and Apple. Thank goodness I live here.
8
And how exactly has that helped you (unless you work there or are related to any of the founders) ?
2
Sure, but you don’t have to live in the USA to enjoy the internet with an iPhone.
1
How America has become the land of the gouged and the facile, the fundamentally criminal and the fundamentally ignorant, nobody knows. The advice from the world is basically "Get real". This utter fantasy can't go on forever.
For the record to make a slight contrast - Unlike the video: In Australia, a guy got his leg stuck between a train and the platform. What ambulance, how much, you ask? No problem - The passengers got out and lifted the train off his leg.
6
When those filmed kept stating, “It’s free in my country...” I wanted to reply: “It’s not free. Nothing is free. Your taxes are outrageous.”
9
And their wages are sky-high!
But all that can't be true, they are Socialists, therefore it must be bad.
2
America is a very wealthy Third World Country.
And proud of its ignorance.
19
We are constantly told that Trump’s MAGA campaign represents a false hindsight that lusts for a past that cannot be separated from its misogyny, racism, classism and patriarchy. Yet those same voices complain that we’ve lost the tax rates and middle class of that same wonderful era which liberals are uniquely able to cull. The postwar boom was an aberration in human history. Selectively idolizing a thumbnail sized era is delusional.
1
Americans are self centered. The culture is made of assimilation. You have to do the same as the others to survive. Which is a kind of "communism " inside the capitalist ideology.
In Europe the difference is celebrated .
In culture, litterature ( 2 t in French like at letter , imagine...leter ..? ),music, philosophy.
2
I look at France and see a bunch of cheese eating surrender monkeys.
I look at Germany and see a bunch of freeloaders who aren't willing to pay their fair share in NATO fees...while loading up their energy sector with Russian oil and natural gas.
Remind me again..who are we protecting Germany from with NATO?
Maybe it is a relic of the past and we can withdraw.
Germany can defend itself..since all roads lead to Moscow.
Which makes sense considering where Angela Merkel was born (East Berlin).
4
@Erica Smythe angela merkel was born in Hamburg - her father, a priest, was then assigned to the DDR
1
They all speak English!
5
And so do we! (but we don’t speak anything else)
America is a continent, made up of 35 countries.
Americans will start immigrating to Europe in a reverse immigration from the early 1900's.
"In Germany we don't wave flags", LOL
4
America on so many fronts is - or is becoming - a Third World country. Infant mortality, education, healthcare (forget about it), consumer protection, environment, safety net: It's a country of rugged individualists that don't owe nothing to nobody, especially not the government.
The bridges are crumbling, the roads have potholes, kids go without breakfast, the water is polluted with lead, but Wilbur Ross has a pair of black velvet slippers with his initials on them that cost $750 and he - thanks to Steve Mnuchin - pays less taxes than the guy who cuts his lawn.
614
@Omar Temperley It occurs to me based on your comment that we've been talking about the dire need to upgrade our infrastructure for almost two decades, and we've done nothing toward achieving that goal. Like, nothing.
38
@Omar Temperley
We've done less than nothing. We've cut taxes 3 times (Reagan, George W, and Trump) to make it impossible to fix the infrastructure. Now we hear that we should allow private contractors to do it, and then charge high tolls as a monopoly. Boy what a country!
67
@Omar Temperley As I drive around Europe, I see new overhead "roads" for wildlife to cross the highway as
I avoid the potholes.
Europe is not as great as it seems.
7
Pretty hard to understand them clearly on all the topics, but the ones I could understand were pretty clearly depressing.
2
What we need to emulate about Europe now:
bicycle paths! Those who are commuting to work by bike safely and walking to work on safe sidewalks will have lower blood pressure and better hearts by definition, if they ride slowly and carefully, evenly. In parts of Europe, bikes are allowed on trains.
Why bicycle paths, a do-able country-wide public works project, are not up for discussion in every local, state and national election is beyond me, but I guess we'd rather have asthma and lung cancer, and look like Goodyear blimps...
6
I am a former European and lived there over 28 years plus visited at least a hundred times. So I know what I am talking about: Europeans, generally speaking, have no idea what life is in the US of A, not even those who visited here. Of course, the equivalent statement, perhaps to even a larger degree, can be made about Americans.
14
While America lacks basic human services such as universal healthcare and affordable education, it makes up for it in opportunity. President Barack Obama once said that nowhere on this earth is his story even possible. Having lived in Europe, I find that to be the truth.
6
Economic mobility in the USA is lower than Europe. You have a better chance of moving into a higher income bracket there than here because education is delivered less erratically. The USA is not the Land Of Opportunity anymore.
7
It’s not just Europe that has great healthcare at affordable prices. Almost any country in the world has better healthcare than the US. When my granddaughter became very ill while traveling in Korea a few years ago, she was treated in the emergency room of the same hospital where Henry Kissinger had stayed. They didn’t use her American health insurance but charged their normal billing amount, about $50 including 2 medications. We have the most expensive healthcare in the world by far.
4
I'm sure you could cherry pick negative things about any EU country and make a similar video with Americans reacting to them. Stuff like the federal government collecting taxes to support churches, income tax rates, price of gasoline, restrictions on gun ownership etc. Or subsidies for diesel fuel in the EU, which caused terrible air pollution in cities.
There are some fair points here, but it's also a bit of a cheap shot.
11
Restrictions on gun ownership is a negative? Really? Do you honestly think anyone outside of the USA sees it that way? Why would Europeans want American-style gun carnage on their streets or in their homes?
8
Once a psychologist (a mervelous person) told me: the human being, even the best, is full of contradictions. I think this also applies to groups of humans we call nations, and in particular to the United States. You have Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Apple, etc.. But you also have Trump. You can't have a beer on the street, but you can go around with an AK47. You have some of the best doctors in the world (even many Nobel laureates), but many people do not have access to health care. I am sure that the United States will soon be able to overcome many of these contradictions. The world needs the United States, even though the United States, in the Trump era, no longer seems to need the world.
9
As an American who's lived in Europe, I'll wager that none of these Europeans have ever lived in America and don't have any real knowledge or experience with the U.S. other than what they have been told or heard from friends. Going beyond the usual obvious differences (the complete lack of customer service in Europe, the parsimonious, no-frills-of-any-kind style of living for most people in Europe, and the overcast weather in a lot of western Europe) there are deeper, more important distinctions our European friends don't know about. They don't know that freedom of speech and religion are far stronger in America than in Europe. They don't know that the right to a fair trial is significantly stronger in America. They don't know that it is far easier to own property or a business in America. They don't know that unemployment is so much higher in Europe because employees are so much more expensive. They don't understand the pluralistic nature of our society that accepts that someone who is 97 years old and immigrates to America can "become an American" vs. European cultures (and most worldwide) where it is impossible to every be anything but the other. You cannot "become French." You either are French or you are not. You cannot "become Swedish" or "become Japanese." Maybe, and I say maybe, you can become a citizen of these countries, but you'll never BE one of them. They're not impressed with US?
18
You cannot become French? French are citoyens; being French is not ethnically or racially defined. No frills? Europeans are wealthier than Americans on average, because wealth is far more equally distributed in Europe. Not enough to my taste, but still. Societies with egalitarian wealth distribution are happier, healthier and less violent, did you know?
13
I could not agree more. I have also lived in Europe. I came away with a newfound appreciation for America that I never had before.
4
@Tim Hoover - disclosure I'm a Brit not lived USA but significant time back forth in business.
First Europe is made of many countries and indeed there is a wide range of employment, wages, basic freedoms, but take the major western euro nations and hard to agree with most of your points.
No matter subjective views of each other values some facts remain.
Our terrible socialism /s means universal health coverage and education access without crippling debts.
Far lower rates of gun violence
When our kids go to school the only thing I worry about is did they remember their gym stuff
Lower incarceration rates.
Longer paid holidays and paid maternity and paternity leave.
Life expectancy is longer here
As for your assertions about freedom of speech or fair trials - not sure where you get that, our justice systems for criminal law are not so different. We have libel laws so I can't accuse Mr x of being a pedophile without proof otherwise say what I like. US ranks below most European press in terms of open balanced reporting. CNN vs fox?
What we don't have is politically appointed judges - where a case depends on them being conservative or liberal (no Moscow Mitch packing the Court with partisan picks)
That all being said the US was (will be again) a nation we had great respect for, it's world leadership based on shared principles of freedom, fairness and democracy. What is happening today will pass, here today politicians will be gone tomorrow but alliances will endure.
13
The people discussed in this article are overwhelmingly middle class and upper middle class. They are by no means the average person. The “average” American is wealthier than the,”average” European. One way to get a true picture of the British is to check out a tabloid type newspaper - the Daily Mail or the Express or the Mirror. These papers have extensive reader response sections. If you believe Europeans are more intelligent and cultured than Americans, read these. The same is probably true in continental Europe as well. College level education is in general, publicly funded however, there are no open admissions, primary education that prepares a student to attend college is not the norm. and access to College is quite restrictive - especially for lower income students. Healthcare access is also restricted. There are waiting times of months to see a doctor for the average citizen. The wealthy and influential have other options - the average citizen does not. Most of the people responding to this article are upper middle class and well educated. The average European is not middle class or particularly well educated.
4
@Maureen sorry fundamentally disagree with your assertions about Europeans.
University access in UK is very good, all state schools do prepare us to go if we wish. My parents were solid blue collar, I went. My daughter is going to Cambridge and it costs 14k USD a year - so please tell me again about access.
Yes Dr access wait times depend on condition but here's the thing Maureen no one goes bankrupt to pay. No one says don't call an ambulance I can't afford it - no one is left without cover.
How can the US claim exceptionalism and yet leave 10s of millions without healthcare?
7
@Maureen
The EU comprises (so far) 28 countries with 28 education systems and 28 healthcare systems. So there's a lot of variety.
In Belgium, any 18yo with a high school diploma can go to university or any other higher education institute of his of her choice. There's no applying to a university or a higher education institute and waiting to be accepted. You turn up at enrollment, choose a subject and pay a fee. How much you pay depends on your parents' income and whether you're entitled to a grant (not a loan). (Only exception is medical school, you need to pass an entry exam).
Restrictive? Not here. The only restriction is your own confidence in your intellectual ability - and yes the fallout rate is high.
If I call my GP today, I'll be seen today or tomorrow at the latest. If I'm referred to a specialist, I'll be seen to as the urgency of the complaint dictates - but not months.
What I don't need to worry about is whether the doctor or the hospital I need will accept my insurance. It's a given. I don't need to worry about how much a consultation will cost.
Being educated doesn't preclude being bigoted or biased, nor being plain selfish. Being less well educated doesn't preclude that either.
There's a lot to be admired in the US, there's a lot that's to be admired in the EU. But neither are beyond criticism.
It's what people prioritize that should direct the policies. Emphasis on the people, not the PAC's or the big companies.
I know where I stand, do you?
6
Well...yes. I am surprised at the lack of universal healthcare, and your diets are not great and have been exported to the rest f the world (although the rest of the world are grownups who can make their own choices). There is a danger that you are slipping into identity politics and victimhood - despite Dr. King's warnings 50 years ago. On the other hand the US takes in far more refugees than anyone else and provides far more aid than anyone else. It provides much of our entertainment (not all good of course); many, if not most, of our scientific breakthroughs. You have tried to redress the wrongs of the past (and how many countries don't have 'wrongs of the past") and used military power largely for good. Best of all you used to , rightly, be proud of your country (unmatched by any other than the French). Don't lose it.
8
@Gary
Regarding refugees, the US most certainly does not take in more than anyone else.
Jordan, which has taken in more than 2.7 million people, was named as the top refugee hosting country, followed by Turkey, over 2.5 million; Pakistan, 1.6 million; and Lebanon, more than 1.5 million.
In the past the US has settled larger numbers but this door is being closed by the current regime in Washington.
5
@Gary Quote: " On the other hand the US takes in far more refugees than anyone else and provides far more aid than anyone else."
Where did you get that information from?
2
@Gary Did you think you were going to get away with giving the USA a few compliments? We do take in a million immigrants every year which must include many economic refugees. Canada, which is larger than us takes in less than 300,000 immigrants and a portion must be skilled. We don't discriminate, to our cost.
2
All of my friends who live overseas ask me if we are out of our minds, never mind that most of the people I know didn't vote for *45, are trying to reduce their carbon footprint, and are working towards single payer healthcare. I know that this is a blue state, but I have to believe that there are likeminded people out there too. But I also feel wicked embarrassed when I meet Europeans--it's been a long time since we were a role model for the world.
3
I live in Canada. My daughter-in-law has over 18 months of paid parental leave to look after my granddaughter. The last time I was in a bank in the US the young woman serving me kept glancing at the photo of her 6 week old baby who someone else was looking after as she had to return to work.
8
Whenever I travel in Europe I always say I'm from California, not the US.
6
@Sam Francisco very wise!
You could have done this here in Australia and you would have had the same results as the European countries. It's not just in Europe that there are much better conditions for all - the vast majority of western nations all have better protections and care for their citizens, especially those citizens below the poverty line. It's just America which is so odd.
6
@Flossy
Very well said. So many people seem to believe that Americans would have had to give up something to enjoy the advantages that other top tier western countries have but a lot of the advantages that the US has comes from the collective power of an economy of over 300 million people, not because of the superiority of the American way of thinking. Americans could have it all if a large segment of their population would just stop being so willing to let themselves get brainwashed by others who don't have their best interests at heart.
5
Before we get too negative on the USA, can I ask what the unemployment rate is for many of these happy Europeans? Like in some countries almost 20% for young people? And how is the upward mobility for people not of the majority race/religion in each country? And don't forget that so much creative thinking originates in the U.S. (i.e technology, entertainment, pharmaceutics and medicine). And someone should tell the Europeans that "Pax Americana" since WWII has prevented the Europeans from killing each other, something they did splendidly for centuries.
16
@Larry White WHAT ? Are you aware of something called European Union ? My god. You are so american to think you are the cause of non war in europe.
8
@Xavier
"Are you aware of something called European Union ?"
An EU military will be the perfect replacement for NATO.
3
@Larry White PAX Ameri
Yes, never mind that the EU is the greater cause of stability in Europe post world war 2.
Unemployment rates vary considerably across the continent - sure ain't anything like 20% for young in West euros!!
As for killing each other - sure you want to start this conversation?
3
must be nice to make fun of our tiny social seeding programs when we are allowing your countries to use 2% or less of your GDP on military spending. We cover that cost so you can have healthcare, ur welcome
6
well, not really as european coutries spend actually less on healthcare than in the US with better results. The questions are : how efficient is one country at redistributing its wealth ? where does the money go?
6
@IReadTheArticle So, when your president Trump pulls us out of everywhere can we have a social contract then?
1
We could cover our own healthcare very easily by doing it the way they do it.
1
When will we take to the streets?
3
@Dart,
Do you live in China?
Start with free speech.
2
I'm starting to think of America as a country where some people are really still fighting the Civil War in their heads and are being ruled by their cultural resentments over having to give up their "private property" to the rule of law.
That's why we can't have nice things. Some of those nice things might go to black people, and we can't have that.
16
I have Irish (EU) citizenship and seriously thinking of moving overseas......especially if the gangster(s) in the White House somehow gets reelected. Europe has their issues (for sure), but this is too much to bear. My whole family has basically given up on this place. It's not a healthy situation with politicians (Hint: Republicans) prepared to sell out their country for what....lower taxes?
10
@Jerry Go for it. Best as young as possible to make friends. The stinkpit is worse and worse.
As I've told many Americans when visiting the States: You don't know what you don't have.
8
"They're not impressed." Why would they be?
8
I'm glad to hear they see it as many of us do.
It's starting to stink like a rotting corpse in this country.
The vultures are starting to pick the flesh off the bones.
You don't get to this kind of situation with good administrations. Obama was a good person, but naive in the current state of the country.
We're toxically competitive with each other.
6
Let’s be clear about one thing. The people in the video are highly ignorant. Also I would bet most would jump at the opportunity to live in America as a US citizen.
4
@Dady
And you know they are ignorant because?
They were simply presented with facts and they reacted based on personal experience. Did you notice they all spoke English really well. Europe has good universal education.
3
@Dady -- Yes, if they're from Pakistan, the Philippines, Bangladesh, India, China, Bosnia, Kosovo, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. There's your complete list of countries that would "jump at the opportunity."
3
@Dady
Have you ever spent time in Europe? Do you know anything about Europe? These kids might want to visit, but they know that their lives are measurably better in Europe.
7
I love how the German guy at the end mutters (after obviously having been instructed to wave his little flag) “In Germany we don’t wave flags...!”
You have to give it to them: Probably the only people in the world who have ever seriously engaged in scrutiny of their past. I know we Dutch haven’t.
11
*cries in healthcare and education*
Funny how all of the Entrepreneurial Europeans vote with their feet....
and Asian Entrepreneurs...
and African Entrepreneurs...
Last one actually paying taxes for everyone else in Sweden - please turn out the lights.
5
Why aren't we rioting in the streets?
4
Grateful ought be the prevailing sentiment of young and old Europeans vis-a-vis America, given the enormous number of overpopulated unwanted, uneducated, criminal, unskilled, violent insane, diseased, sketchy and overwhelmingly debt-riven poor that England and Europe offloaded onto the colonies and then the U.S. Those low born indentured servants (i.e. white slaves) made up the first 100 years of colonists shipped across the pond. England did the same to Australia, though that seems to have turned out better.
1
Rules for life:
work hard
don't complain
pay for your own meals
pick up a tab time to time
1
They can go back to Europe.
1
Ask Americans how they see Europe. See how that plays out. Most can’t tell you what continent a country resides in.
Most people are stupid. Politicians wanted us stupid and made sure our education was lacking.
18
@Emily
62% of Americans will look at a world map and think Canada is Europe ... USA USA USA!
2
I especially hate it when you watch one video and stop it, another unwanted video starts. It decreases my choice to watch it by putting it up front. I watched this video, started to read the narrative that went with it when suddenly DT started talking. I almost puked. I don't watch him purposely. Do not want it forced on me by the NYT. Please stop this.
5
Having a number of close friends who are Europeans, this comes as no surprise. The only thing that is surprising is how successful the Republican's have been in convincing so many American's into believing that if we create a society where each person acts to advance their own self interest, regardless of morality and no matter what the cost, that this Darwinian based approach will somehow produce the fairest, best and most productive society. We live in a society where most people, regardless of insurance, are an illness away from financial ruin and bankruptcy. And this is seen by most Americans as normal and right. If exposed to the reality of life in Europe, I am sure most Americans would find it an infinitely more humane, livable society and nothing like socialist hell they have been brain washed into believing it is. And where statistics show that people have greater opportunity for advancement then in our allegedly "classless" society.
23
These disparities are coming home to roost in the US, whether from the right with Trump or from the left with Bernie Sanders. Time is running out for the status quo, the poor and working classes will rise against the current rigged system and if the protests in Chile (largely ignored in US media) are any indication, it won't be pretty.
3
@Walter
They already have risen--problem is, they've been tricked into believing that the likes of Trump will save them. A right-wing version Hugo Chavez moment.
2
Due to geographic factors, many Americans have far less experience visiting other countries than is true for nearly all Europeans. As a result, many Americans have little insight into where we stand in the world in various respects, and proudly insist we are the best at everything. Think of the crowds at Trump rallies who chant "USA! USA! USA!".
But while our nation has a lot to be proud of, we also have plenty of ways in which we are only mediocre, as well as some very non-trivial aspects of our past and present that are not at all things to be proud of.
So if I tell someone I think we should be more like Finland in some respect (my wife's family is from Finland), that sometimes is construed as "un-American". I don't think that is at all the case, just that I want our nation to be the best we can be, and in some areas we honestly are not the world's leaders.
13
I visit my family in Spain every couple of years, and always find myself attempting to explain how Americans can accept the lack of benefits such as paid health care, low cost college tuition, etc. that Europeans take for granted. On my last visit, I found a way to explain it: complete liberty and complete equality exist at two opposite ends of a spectrum. You cannot have complete equality and complete liberty at the same time. If you are completely free to do whatever you wish, you will do things that will cause you to have more or less things (money, property, privileges, rights, health care, education) than other people. If you have complete equality, then there will be things you cannot do because everyone must have the same quantity of those things. So I explain to my Spanish relatives that in the US we have chosen more freedom at the expense of less equality. Whereas in Europe, they have chosen more equality at the expense of less freedom. They said, "but we are free". I said, your taxes are very high, much, much higher than in the US, because you have chosen to have social benefits made available to more people, i.e. more equality of benefits and services, which are not really "free", but paid for by your taxes. So everyone in Europe is required to pay more taxes, in effect, giving up some of their freedom for the sake of equality. Our Constitution does not require that government ensure equal benefits to all, only that it provide equal opportunity for all.
8
@Joseph R. Garcia
Except that we don't have equal benefits or equal opportunity. Not even close.
6
@Joseph R. Garcia Yes, here in the US both the rich and poor are equally free to sleep on the streets.
1
Can you really equate giving up part of your salary to the state you live in to provide public services with “losing freedom”? Is paying for a taxi, for
instance also “losing freedom”? How much freedom do you have, if you lose your health insurance if you quit your company, for instance if you want to start your own? How free are you if you cannot afford to get higher education because of the high cost? Europeans nowadays have a higher social mobility than Americans. In concrete terms this means that the proverbial newspaper boy has a higher chance of becoming wealthy in Europe than in the US. What dies the American freedom you are talking about mean in concrete terms?
5
Having lived in Europe and the USA, the main difference I see is that Americans live in fear and are controlled by fear.
Without a social safety net, especially universal health care, they are under constant stress: losing the job, losing the house, losing everything that they've worked so hard for. And they do work hard, putting in longer hours than most Europeans and getting comparatively little vacation time.
Unions, strong in European countries, have been decimated in the USA so most working Americans have little bargaining power. Wages are low, putting food on the table is a struggle; rents keep rising, affordable childcare is almost impossible to find.
Europeans pay higher taxes than Americans, but in return they get health care, education, social security, child care, public transportation, modern infrastructure. They don't worry too much about defense spending because they can rely on their ally, the USA, for that. Well, that used to be the case.
In Europe power lies with the people and their messy, inefficient democracies so they get stuff and laws that protect them, the consumers. In the USA power is with the corporations which buy the congress that suits their interests. Working people don't stand a chance. They are controlled by corporations in every way; no wonder they live in fear.
23
I straddle two countries and continents: I'm a 65-year-old American who has made Italy my permanent home since 2011.
While I maintain close ties with the US (very dear family members and most of my financial resources are firmly rooted in the States; and, as an American citizen, I vote in American elections), my day-to-day life is decidedly European -- from the language I speak nearly exclusively (Italian) to the taxes I pay to the free (and/or very low cost) public health care system that I enjoy -- which is available to me, I'm told, no matter where I travel in the EU.
I can't speak for others, nor for other European countries, but Italy, notwithstanding its many prickly problems, provides me opportunities to enjoy "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" that I found increasingly hard to find in the United States.
If only more ordinary Americans knew what was possible...
16
Many people here pay a lot in taxes - but the upper crust in large part does not. Income from capital gains and investments are taxed at a much lower rate than wages. Wage earners -the vast majority of citizens, cannot avoid paying taxes. Individuals and corporations have developed, with the aid of politicians, elaborate ways to avoid paying into the system. Therefore, they benefit. Jamie Dimon recently stated he wouldn't mind paying more if it wasn't "wasted". I wonder what he is referring too - school lunches for a hungry child? or buyouts for GM? Or governments propping up banks that made bad decisions? At any rate, people here hate paying taxes - but they end up paying far more in ridiculous insurance premiums, health costs they can't predict, time lost without pay from work due to illness and on and on. I'm not anti-capitalism, but it isn't working well for the ordinary citizen. When Amazon pays zero in tax something is wrong.
12
@dairyfarmersdaughter
Exactly. We need a modified form of capitalism that takes better care of all citizens' needs, not just the needs of the super-rich to get even richer.
1
Ironically, it was European wars that caused the crippling damage to America that is on display today. Both European WW's caused the US to become an overly-militarized country while the guilty parties (European nation states that were in various states of decline and disarray) were largely freed from the obligation of defending themselves. The Marshall Plan bailed Europe out of dire straits and helped greatly to get them to what they are today. Of course, good luck getting the younger crop of Europeans to appreciate this.
9
@Susan Growing up in post-war UK, I was a beneficiary of the Marshall Plan. Grants were available to help small businesses get started, and my father took advantage of that, starting his business and bringing us out of poverty and into the middle class. Universities were built to accommodate the post-war baby boom, and those of us smart enough to qualify could go regardless of means. America did a great thing for Europe back then so it has always surprised me, now living in the USA for many years, that it does so little for its own people.
3
A couple of thoughts. Education, child care, maternity leave, paternity leave, etc. are not "free" in European countries. They are paid for through taxes. That is not a bad thing. It shows a community spirit that is lacking the the U.S. I think it's lacking in the U.S. because we have a much more heterogeneous population. There is not the same feeling of "we are all in this together." That's due to a history of slavery and a war fought over slavery, the destruction of the Native population, and of course immigration. (Not to say European nations haven't experienced immigration and deal with similar assimilation issues.) But so many of my friends and family are against taxes because they go to help "the other," the undeserving "other." And then of course the insane need to have guns. People feel powerless, so that can be compensated for by being heavily armed. Personally, I am not optimistic. With the Republican party the way it is, how can I be? I used to believe in the wisdom of William Blake: "A fool who persists in his folly will become wise." With Republicans--no way.
6
Basically, poor people are sacrificing their health and happiness for the benefit of rich and educated in the USA.
7
It's not that "policy makers" can't find solutions - Its that the ultra right wing politicians are fully owned subsideraries of corporations who see ANY money going to social protections as nothing but lost profits, and less money in the pockets of executives. That is really about it.
Indeed, in the trump administration no one except corrupt corporate hacks have been put in charge of our government agencies, all of whom had previously fought those same agencies to eliminate any oversight of their corporate masters. That is all you need to know about why the US "can't" have good social policies.
12
Aside from being correctly perceived as having a relatively poor quality of life here, the U.S. is also seen as the biggest threat to world peace according to a 2013 Gallup International poll.
8
@koyaanisqatsi
How they feeling in 2019?
2
I do not live in the US anymore. I lived there for more than 25 years and always said I would not become a citizen of a country that treated the sick and poor so badly. I became a citizen only when Donald Trump became president, because I thought that I could lose my green card. My children are duel citizens and have chosen Canada, my first country as their home. I feel sad that my adopted country and the country that I once loved is now not an option for me, because of healthcare. I travel all over the world and have done so for many years. I can not defend my adopted country, but I have noticed that there is no longer a desire to come there, from any European countries. There is a sadness about this. There is no beacon, there is no shining country on a hill. I always point out that I am Canadian, after it is assumed that I am a Yank...I have to, because I don't want to apologize for my adopted country...and Canadians are famous for saying sorry. I am sorry for the US, I'm also baffled and depressed. I have American kids who thank me for their Canadian citizenship and the most common thing I hear from my American friends is 'will you marry me?' How can one man ruin a country, how can anyone support this president? That's my burning question....and I have to ask it of a former neighbor. How can you think that this criminal is good for the country? And every day I get up, often in another country, and he is still the president. We are just another banana republic!
13
One man didn't ruin a country. He was elected on working on illegal immigration, but I don't think that is going to change, people are making too much money off the illegals. Neither side really wants them out. The citizens do though. He was elected on getting us out of Iraq, Syria, the middle east as a whole. So was Obama. Now everyone is crying about us pulling out. His did he ruin a country, he hasn't really done anything. And if this place is so bad, why did you become a citizen, to take advantage of something? Meanwhile, I make more money than I've ever made. I bought a house in Santa Barbara County, maybe not right next door to Oprah, but close enough. I received the largest bonus of my life last year. My house has appreciated $135,000 in a few years. I didn't vote for him, but I'm doing very well.
2
Please note that all these young people speak really good English despite most of them being from non-English speaking countries.
Learning a second or even third language is the norm in Europe, which gives them a leg up in business, education as well as brain health.
8
@MRW You're right. At school I've learned latin english (BE) and greece, even some russian; during holidays I've learned french and spanish. When I spent my holidays in Florida lasst year I was able to understand most people. But during a fight with Delta Airlines (our baggage was delayed for two days) I had to talk with someone who spoke some kind of (southern) american english, that made me think I never learned the english language.
Would you americans please mind to speak your mother-tongue correctly? This would allow the rest of the world to follow comments in the american news channels and get a better picture of what's happening in the US of A!
1
I'm a lifelong American... I'm not impressed either. Our country has so much potential and at the same time has so many people who put themselves first.
The empire is on the decline, and Americans just don't get it.
17
Hmm, probably even Americans would be shocked that the ability to move up in social status is harder here than in Western Europe.
9
As an American living in Germany, arrived 4 years ago, this piece is extremely slanted. The authors have gone out of their way to show the worst of the USA. Still. the young people recognise the USA remains an optimistic place...despite or in spite of its social injustices. No place is perfect.
9
@Agostino Well - whom did you talk to?
That's comforting. It shows they are in agreement with most Americans who disapprove of the current administration.
1
The sad truth is that we could be so much better than we are.
In fact we could have been truly exceptional, the problem is is that our nation's priorities haven't been focused on the well being of her people.
According to the 'Standard Of Living By Country Population.' (2019-09-25). http://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/standard-of-living-by-country/
The US places 14th in Quality of Life ranking.
In the mid 20th century, American style capitalism may have propelled the working class into the middle class, & allowed the middle class to ride a wave of good fortune for 30 years but that period has ended. It's true that American workers have recently benefited by an uptick in opportunity & in some cases wages, via our current strong economy but this is unsustainable. Automation will continue to replace human beings.
What's happened is that our politicians have done a very good job of convincing many of us that redistributing the nations communal wealth to the top 10% is in the best interests of the nation.
This trickery has eliminated pensions, affordable health care, affordable post secondary education options & has kept benefits like affordable daycare, family leave & living wages for many a permanent pipe dream.
3
Arguing about the US vs. Europe is like arguing about how many angels dance on the head of a pin - the US has been dominated by European immigrants (aka socially incompetent European rejects), resulting in less significant differences than White people like to think. Considering the amount of American drug and alcohol use, delusions of grandeur, mental illness, and violence, it's become increasingly apparent that European immigration to the Americas, Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Africa acted as a safety valve for Europe. The views of indigenous people from around the world would be more informative than this article.
2
One of the things not mentioned here and poorly known overall, is how relatively poor European countries are when compared to US states. I saw this a few years ago and it was updated last year
https://mises.org/wire/these-us-states-have-higher-incomes-nearly-every-european-country
If you compare median income of US states to European countries only Luxembourg, Switzerland and Norway rank anywhere in the top 20 US states. Then you have to fall a few more points to see Austria and Denmark sandwiched between Vermont and Pennsylvania. A few more trail out in the lower half of US States while Greece, Portugal, Spain, Slovenia, Czech Rep, Slovakia, Poland Latvia and Hungary all rank lower than Mississippi, unsurprisingly the lowest rated US state.
3
We are mid level in healthcare & education. You have a better chance of upward mobility in, say, Japan than you do in the US. Due to the policies of the current administration, those levels will drop even more - I think. I am doing everything I can to get out despite my advanced age. I grew up at the height of American greatness. Time to leave as it declines. America is done.
3
People who read the NYTimes seem unusually concerned about European approval. Many, many Americans don't give any thought at all to Europe or its view of America. An article exploring this contrast might be interesting.
5
I think this video raises an interesting (although certainly not novel) idea, but presents it in a very poor way. It is critical that Americans understand that obstacles we take for granted are unthinkable in other developed countries, but using nonplussed European twentysomethings to make this point seems sensationalist.
2
People have no idea how frustrating it is to be from a country as rich as the United States, and not have those same rights and expectations that Europeans have and take for granted. The disparity between the really rich and the really poor is appalling. And not always the fault of the poor, either. It's an accident of birth whether you are in a good place or a bad place. I really believe in the common good and helping uplift those with lesser abilities and opportunities.
4
After visiting regularly for decades I have to say I would not choose to live in the US although it is, in some ways, incomparable. That said, this is an irritating piece and I would be bridling if I was an American.
3
I'll be honest. This made me cry.
Europeans linger over meals with friends and family. They value down-time with each other, they work fewer hours, travel more and have longer paid vacations. Their basic needs are met. Their homes are furnished with essentials instead of the latest stuff that will end up in a landfill when they die. Not all taxes are evil. It's time for us to wise up.
13
Americans don’t know what they’re missing. Literally. According to Commerce data, 41 million Americans traveled overseas last year. That includes repeat travelers. That’s, at most, 12.5% of Americans. The vast majority of American voters have no idea how much better the quality of life is in Europe. Those naive voters are easy marks for all the “Freedom” and “America First” ads the Republicans run. They truly believe they live in the “greatest country on earth”. Those of us who know better are left to battle their ignorance.
13
Happily, for the American readers, they didn't' compared with the very, very bad Norwegian "socialist" social democratic welfare system. The differences might be "a shock to your system".
3
Cime and live in Australia.
The country of the future.
Few people, free healthcare, good universities, gun control, good surf, wealthy...
3
Wouldn't it be interesting if those of us on here commenting were to disclose our age? How many of these "how are you scorn the USA!" and "at least we're better than (some European country)" are written by Boomers?
Could it be that if you are white and grew up in what you think were the halcyon days of the 40s and 50s, it's insulting to see/hear/read Europeans' perceptions of our country?
1
@Left Coast
They used to teach history back in the Halcyon Days. That's why.
I'd like to see someone spell out why having a more diverse population means we can't have universal healthcare and affordable education.
Is the implication that our society can't act for the common good because different races in our country hate each other too much to want to do anything good for "those people?"
If that's the message, let conservatives come out and say it, and let them be branded by it. As poor a job as we've done, it's absurd, inhuman, and nihilistic to say we're incapable of caring about each other across racial lines. The state of racial animus in this country today is due to older generations and their refusal to give up racist beliefs. But those beliefs will die with them, and good riddance.
If you can't look at someone of another race and recognize a full human being, grow up or get out of the way.
5
@Chris
I wondered about that too. Canada is just as diverse but has managed to have healthcare and social benefits with a much smaller population distributed over a lager land mass.
Many of these comments are true, especially with regard to guns and healthcare. But contrasting the cost of MIT with that of a European national university is silly and detracts from the overall message. Did the videographer think MIT is a state institution? The higher ed problem in the US is with students who attend mediocre schools that offer minimal ROI and who borrow large sums to do so.
3
I spend a lot of time in Europe, and while it depresses me that my life is so punishing and worthless in the United States, Europe at the end of the day begins to frighten me. The things that I love about my country are so absent in Europe. Mainly, the black culture I call home. I struggle to eat in Germany, everything is soaked in butter and unbelievably bland, and my natural exuberance is considered antisocial behavior. Despite the long term African presence in France and Italy, I’ve encountered some of the worst racism of my life in Milan and sexual harassment in France. What keeps me coming back here, besides my friends, family, and occasionally work, is the intense level of visual noise reduction. I am currently in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and it’s like my eyes are in a cool bath. The amount of absolute visual chaos Americans are subjected to is actually insane and disgusting. If we even did one thing, just one, like Europe, I would honestly advocate for stringent advertising laws. You don’t realize how atrocious it is until it’s removed.
But at the end of the day, I’m a poor mixed race Southerner who loves her horrible country, and who has no options to ever leave it, and I honestly don’t think I would. As Baldwin says, “I picked the cotton, I built the railways, I built America. It’s mine.”
I am a creature of this place, and even if America wishes me dead, I still love her, terribly.
20
I wonder how they’d respond if they were told they’d be paid 2-3 times what they get paid at home for the same jobs here.
You left out that question.
5
@James S
high wages can never make up for a poor quality of life
1
"The Unites states grapples with a larger and more diverse population " ???
The European population is 740 million and the EU represents 512 million citizens .
The USA has 327 million citizens .
Superficies of the USA and EU are about the same 10 million km2
Europe and the EU are much more dense in population with a diversity that is also very large with the excolonies of Africa and north Africa.
2
The reason the U.S. doesn't have European style social services is because here the population is not homogenous as it is in Europe. This what I've always been told. But, of course, this is just a nice way of saying that Americans are too racist to share their wealth with those who are not white. Add to racist parsimony a concept of liberty that is founded on freedom from responsibility to others and you pretty much have the American way of life. That said, much of the younger generation is taking the lead in demanding more of this country than the untrammeled right to plunder and pillage. There is hope.
8
Where on earth did you find these kids. They hardly look like representative of any European countries. Was it London?
4
So ask them if they could come and live here...
And they'd jump in the boat...
And, they would start a business that liberates them from the tedium of hierarchical family businesses ...
So many Europeans overstay their tourist visa and try to blend in. Germans who start 'curry wurst' restaurants...
Europeans want an American nanny state that gives them a safety net but provides opportunities they can never have at home.
Stay home Europeans. Make Europe great again.
4
The promise of countless "Currywurst resturaunts" in America almost makes me want to come visit the fairytale world you live in.
2
This article/these videos are an inconsequential exercise in insecurity.
3
One might ask what New Zealanders think. I for one am heartily sick of US administrations lecturing the rest of the world on human rights, the rule of law, free speech and the like, in the face of the Patriot Act, separation of children from parents at the border, Guantanamo, the overthrow of legitimately elected governments around the world, etc, etc .....
8
Folks,
As a Naturalized American who has voted Democratic in every election since the year 2000, and with plenty of European DNA (Spaniard mother, German wife) I find this clip silly (although possibly cathartic to typical NYT readership)...
Ultimately, the social fabric of a nation is based upon shared beliefs, and shared commitments; disregarding differences between individual countries, Europeans have made a decision, long ago, that they are willing to put their money where their mouth is, and are willing to pay, without major complaints, the taxes that are required to support this social fabric...
Americans, on the other hand, are notorious for having a disconnect between what they want from their country, and how much they're willing to pay for it; let's face it: since the very beginning of the republic, Americans have, by and large, HATED paying taxes, and any other form of 'redistribution' that reduces take-home money... And this is not just the profile of your typical Trump supporter: while many readers will quickly postulate "I'm willing to pay for...", the truth is that have yet to reach the level of national commitment that most European nations have, to contribute to, and be part of, a collective welfare state...
So long as this reality is not acknowledged, Americans will be left off the hook, bitterly complaining about what our neighbors across the pond enjoy, that we don't...
4
I talk with a lot of people with mental disorders and it breaks my heart when a person has to live without medication in total darkness because they cannot afford to buy the medicine for their condition. Terrifying.
5
@Hristo Hrsitov *from the US
One chilling thing that I read on a help site for Gen Z about travel or study abroad: an American student got razzed by her European friends when she hid an alcoholic drink she was carrying in public. The other kids said "so you can carry an assault rifle in public at home, but you can't carry a drink."
That spoke volumes about our angry, hypocritical, declining nation. I hope the young people at home can fix these issues that their elders caused.
6
Did you ask the ones in France trying to find a job with 25% unemployment in their age group?
6
@LHP and Italy has more than France, and Spain more than Italy and Greece more than Spain. And right now there is no future, you get a college education a university degree, but for what? to get out of uni and be unemployed. Do you want to own a house an apartment a loft, keep dreaming. And what about wages ? Better not to talk about that. Southern Europe is a mess right now.
3
@LHP and Italy has more than France, and Spain more than Italy and Greece more than Spain. And right now there is no future, you get a college education a university degree, but for what? to get out of uni and be unemployed. Do you want to own a house an apartment a loft, keep dreaming. And what about wages ? Better not to talk about that. Southern Europe is a mess right now.
1
There are many things I don’t know in this world, but I do know this: there is no surer way to get an American to vote for Thing X than to say “European millennials disapprove of Thing X”.
2
This opinion is just another example of why I support Bernie Sanders for POTUS.
2
In America you can be fat, and no one will judge you, be fat in Europe and they will treat you as you have a disease. And there is way more respect between races and ethnicities in the US than in Europe.
Europe is very divided between nations, there is a sense of being French, German, British, Catalan, etc. But the sense of being European is still superfluous for most of us. There is not a sense of unity in Europe and there is still a lot of hate between nations over here. Nationalism are actually becoming a huge problem all over Europe.
8
Looks like your reporter forgot to tell those youngsters that if it weren't for the US protective umbrella that has been extended over Europe for the last 70 years, they might have gotten to experience growing up under Nazi or Soviet occupation.
European countries and the US are structured around very different systems of values — the former puts much more emphasis on egalitarianism and social safety nets and the latter puts much more emphasis on autonomy. I think it's fine to think that Europe got it right, but it's pretty disappointing to see kids being encouraged to sneer at countries who do things differently without being first at least a little bit educated about the considerations that underlie the differences.
6
Sometimes the New York Times apparently cannot help but be a parody of itself. “We asked Europeans to sneer at America” is apparently what passes for commentary now. For the love of God, bring back the Public Editor.
There’s no question living in America is a decidedly stressful and unsafe existence compared to European social democracies, but the predictably outraged commentators here forget: America literally pays for Europe’s defense - that’s what the defense budget pays for, and in return we control global trade and have a defensive buffer that spans half the world. And I’m sure European life is great, I’d love free education and health care. But I also like living in a country with one half the European unemployment rate, whose universities are where the European elite send their children for school, where I can’t be imprisoned for a tweet or for shooting a burglar who breaks into my home. No doubt, it’s a gamble - but that’s the trade off living in a society where the individual’s freedom of choice comes first.
6
Let's see, we've saved Europe twice now. Suddenly, we are supposed to care what Euro's (under the age of 30 BTW) have to say about our system? I don't think so
6
Oscar Wilde said it best:
"America is the only country that went from barbarism to decadence without civilization in between."
6
When politicians are owned by lobbyists and special interests money talks society walks
2
It's very well known that youth is not imbued, by default, with experience and knowledge. Time is the only thing that can bring those characteristics to the forefront.
So it's rather disingenuous to do something like this. But that's no surprise given the publisher is the NYT.
3
I think that maybe we should all go back to where our ancestors came from. They seem to be doing better than us.
1
@Jackie Yes, but the places your ancestors came from only want you if you have a job before you move there and you can provide documentation that you can support yourself without being a public charge.
3
I like this video. It reminds me of the ones on YouTube where Irish people try out American junk food.
Always good to get that outside perspective.
Oh don't worry NYT. There are many Americans who are not impressed by our own country's lack social protections that most other nations in the world take for granted. Our president once referred to certain countries as "shitholes." Well, I would say America is one of those countries because we have to pay the exorbitant costs of basic human services, deal the the absence of parental leave protection and the unregulated presence of chemicals in food. You disagree with me, come at me keyboard tough guys!
4
Ever since President Kennedy’s magnificent “Ich bin Berliner” Speech, towering European love, admiring gaze upon the U.S. plateauing, but afterwards slowing receding. Until under trump’s Global abandonment, excepting tin pot dictators, plunging into free fall.
2
I've lived in Europe and I find it to be only marginally more convenient there than in some developing countries. No ice, no A/C... its downright primitive. But they have some nice statues over there.
4
If they had canvassed Canada the results would shock you....but then they know Yanks best.
1
Our food isn't great...too many additives and corn syrup.
Our mass transit is a joke. Our overall infrastructure is 50 years old and not being improved.
Don't get sick....
Good Luck paying for secondary school.
It would be easy to come here and see an empire in decline, and this isn't even touching politics.
6
I’ve spent lots of time in Europe. Still travel their frequently and lived in London for two years.
Yes, America is a more cut-throat system. But Europe has disadvantages too.
I like to tell people when they ask me which is better, the US or Europe: There is no better or worse, there is just different.
Could the US do some things better? Sure. Could the individual European countries do some things better? Sure.
The interesting thing is, if the US was so bad and Europe so good, why is it that the number of true Europeans migrating to the US on an annualized basis exceeds the number of Americans migrating to Europe.
6
@Paul
Probably because European countries don’t make it easy to immigrate.
4
@Paul
That's because a lot of Americans don't know where Europe is!!
1
I was recently on a cruise that was 95 percent Europeans (Germans, Scandinavians, and folks from the UK (are they European?)). Nearly all said that would not have voted for Donald Trump. Yet it turned out that they agreed with a lot of his positions. They said that they thought he was doing what was in America's best interest regarding trade, both with the EU and with China. They never wanted to accept another low-skill immigrant into any of their countries. They wanted a wall built on Europe's southern border. I had to refrain from saying "You know, there is a U.S. politician who shares many of your beliefs."
7
People are desperate to take down grand narratives these days, and the American story is a grand narrative. Despite all of its flaws, it is still the greatest country in the world.
2
What is grand about 400 years of government sanctioned history of genocide, slavery, bigotry and the exploitation of children, women, immigrants and workers in general to serve the greed of a few? Why was the creation of an outrageous mythology and the miseducation of the general public so necessary? Might it be to suppress public understanding of the truth, the value of civil activism and necessary periodic revolts against the rise and sustaining of an oligarchy with fascist tendencies?
The video might seem even-handed and representative if it showed a variety of American issues, including ones that impressed or pleased outsiders. Oddly, the producers seem to believe that such things exist -- the last minute is all Europeans pointing to positive things about America -- but are unable to fathom how this could be. Perhaps a more accurate headline would be in order, perhaps "Europeans startled by American flaws," as it doesn't provide the same context for the positives that Europeans feel about America.
2
Very interesting and well presented feature. On the question of guns, America needs to sort out its violence problem, which I think needs at least revocation of the Second Amendment.
I believe it's legally possible to overturn it. The problem is that despite its language about militias, it has to apply to all Americans because it's part of the Bill of Rights.
So it can't be amended, just dropped. But where is Captain Courageous to start that movement?
1
Some Americans criticize Europe’s lower military spending. Does this put their citizens in danger from dictators taking over? Or what, exactly?
Here's the paradox--- We spend much less on needed public services and social programs that are centrist in other democracies. Our dominant conservatives paint this spending as "big govt interfering in our 'freedoms'".
But in other capitalist nations these rights of citizens expand, not reduce, their freedoms. People with health care as a right are more free than people who have to pay huge sums for it, to keep up corporate profits. Sums levied by corporations for our basic needs function as a tax, too--but not called that.
Our inadequate social spending led to our high rates of poverty, scandalous homelessness, downward mobility, ill health, and middle/working class financial insecurity. Then the GOP has fanned the flames of racism and resentment between various groups. Hate spreads on unregulated social media.
What did that lead to in 2016? The victory of the Trump authoritarian regime in America. We see it threatening our system of govt more every day.
Thus, how much should we spend and what should we do to combat THAT enemy of our democracy?
We over spend on military and under spend on social benefits that are centrist elsewhere, pretending superiority. Now as we live in the Trump regime, other democracies pity us.
W. Post …” What America could do with European levels of military spending.”
2
I, an American, am not impressed. Comparatively, and I've worked in and with Europeans of all ages for decades, we're pretty good at money, pretty good at turning ideas into business, and getting things done (once we decide we're going to do something), but on establishing a society that cares for all, we're not so good.
5
It's easy for Europeans to take these positions and call us weird. After all, America spends plenty of money on defense, a burden we have never fully transferred to the Europeans, the Japanese, the Koreans and so on. We have in effect underwritten their prosperity for several generations. Perhaps we should now shrink our military? Or do we change/expand its mission to save our environment and communities? Either way, someone has to shoulder the burden of providing security, stabilizing the environment and so on.
8
@deano You're absolutely right, Deano. When I was in the Army in the late 1960's, the US had 250,000 soldiers in West Germany and about 50,000 in South Korea. Even today - today! - we still have 50,000 troops in Japan. How many German soldiers are stationed in the US? How many Japanese? It's time for Europeans, South Koreans and Japanese to put on their big boy pants and take care of themselves. Maybe then the US will have some money left over to address problems like infrastructure, climate change, etc.
2
I'm a bit of a Europhile but it's a misnomer to think all of the various services in Europe are "free." They are not free. They are paid for with higher taxes. Europeans, however, have a more magnanimous social contract and it generally works pretty well. But Denmark, for example, is largely homogeneous and has a population of less than 6 million (there are more people in Chicago) so it's quite a bit easier to get everyone on board.
3
What I like about the VAT is everyone who buys something pays the tax. Here the people in the underground economy who don't pay taxes on their income at least get hit with something.
The taxes of the underground economy if paid is estimated to be close to 900 billion a year.
3
@uras Yes, lots of wages are cash, hence not reported.
We have a very conservative government here in Australia and apart from a few small periods we have always had conservative governments since WW2.
Yet we have universal healthcare, you get sick, you go to any hospital and they will serve you. When you have a job you get paid sick leave, paid vacation break and increasingly paid maternity leave. You need prescription drugs that are expensive then we have a scheme where the government pays the exorbitant amount that drug companies ask for and then it costs you under 10 dollars at the pharmacy.
Our country is huge but our population is half that of California yet our roads are pretty good, our infrastructure not crumbling but always being upgraded(slowly it must be admitted).
My point is; How can a country the size of America with it's huge population and economy not even come close to another huge country with 26 million people, in it's quality of life and care of it's people. Our country has it's problems but they pale into insignificance when compared to the USA.
3
Did you tell them we pay 15-25% in taxes as opposed to their 65%?
My family over there is not happy at all that they get to pay so much in taxes.
You should ask people who have to work for a living, not a bunch of college kids that never had to pay taxes or earn a living.
7
@AutumnLeaf
Who pays 65%?
In the UK, income over about $55,000 is charged at 40%. That's the highest tax band.
The first $14,000 is completely free of tax, moving through a series of increments to a 24% level for all earnings between $28,000 and $40,000.
So, nothing like 65%.
Alle mployees and employers pay a 'National Insurance; surcharge as well. That's for unemployment, pension and health benefits. So, not a 'tax'.
6
@nolongeradoc If you include the VAT along with income tax you can get to 65%. Sure, you get a lot for it, but enough?
3
I really love America, although I was born in Europe. I love America more than I love my native country, and I admire many things about it. And yet, soon after I moved to NYC 23 years ago, I became depressed and stayed so for 20 years. Three years ago I moved back to Europe, I was unhappy about it, but my depression lifted. Nobody, where I live, is on Zoloft or Prozac. Life is harder in the US, much more transient and competitive, and all this instability is bad for the brain and for the soul.
14
One big difference is that Europeans are willing to pay.
We want the same things, but want someone else to pay. That's the American Way, get it without paying for it. It crosses all ethnic and economic lines. A major reason the country is literally falling apart.
Latest example? Fires in California where their primary response now is to cut power and hope for the best. This in a state that has an economy that ranks among the top 20 in the world.
"Keep your fingers crossed and your gun loaded." How inspiring.
8
@Lou Good,
California has too many people trying to live in the forest; fires are natures way of cleaning out the brush; Native Americans knew this centuries ago; Californians think it is cool to live in the mountains with lots of winding roads to hide them from the masses; doesn't work for nature.
2
How could we possibly expect Europeans to be impressed with us when we are disgusted with ourselves. Our country is at its lowest level in history with the current POTUS and GOP Senate. In no way would any progressive democracy want to emulate us.
9
@Philip W You are still a young country, and one which was forged in the genocide of the indigeonous population, by immigrants from diverse backgrounds primarily from Europe. Trump is the worst US President by far. I would suggest a set of qualifications such as either government office, senator level or officer rank military service as well as no criminal record and no bankruptcie. I would say of good moral charictor, however I am talking about politicians, so will leave that one out.
I migrated from California to Australia 26 years ago and recently visited California. All countries have their good and bad qualities. I missed the vibrancy of entrepreneurship and the idea that America is still a land of opportunity.
On the other hand I think America has declined since I left. America is overpopulated, health care is unaffordable, a college education is expensive, the minimum wage is too low. As I see it America is controlled by big money special interest groups who brainwash a gullible following.
Perhaps more Americans should get a passport and travel to Australia and northern Europe. They may be surprised to find out these more socialist countries have a stronger middle class and a higher standard of living for the majority of the population.
18
@Joseph B ....many of us wouldn't be surprised.
But please give a few examples re Australian health care, education and min wage.
And also---how do Australians fnd their elections--vs the US?
Wiki says many countries ban privately paid campaign ads on their media, to prevent special interests from dominatng their political discussion. Imagine the ripple effects---these ads are our the biggest expense in our elections.
2
@Joseph B,
Australia doesn't want black folks; very racist.
4
I lived in Madrid, Spain for 5 years. The Conservatives in Madrid put forth a proposal to privatize their health insurance in that state.
The next day I woke up to billboards showing a family sitting on the curb with their suitcases, behind them their house had been foreclosed. In the arms of the mother was a baby on oxygen and with an IV drip.
The text?
Do we REALLY want to live the way the Americans do?
The privatization bill was removed in 3 hours.
That was tough seeing it as an American because it was true.
23
@Catherine
But if we adopt a first world healthcare system, we won't be "exceptional" anymore. Can't have that.
5
As a former German citizen (born and raised) who lived most of his life (about 40 years by now) in the U.S., I find it often painful to read and hear about the self-loathing and self-destructiveness that seems to affect so many Europeans, especially in Germany but also in neighboring countries. Yes, German history is particularly burdened and all of Europe is presently undergoing tremendous changes, driven by both interior and exterior forces. However, while it is well-known that today's American society has become increasingly divided, most of its citizens would still agree that they love their country and remain loyal to its values and identity. That is not to be taken for granted by our European counterparts. What this will lead to in the long run will be seen, but such negativity towards one's own place of birth, culture and heritage does not appear to be a promising path forward. Not there, not here, not anywhere.
3
@Fred Emerson -
You'll have to provide something more than your say-so on such a broad accusation. You've been here over 40 years. Do you still read German periodicals?
And frankly, I don't know which Americans you're talking to either. 40% of Americans are now in thrall to a "leader" who has flouted almost all of our "values" in a way not unlike Germany in 1933.
Finally, what does who "loves their country" the most have to do with Europeans (indeed, ALL other first world nations) having national healthcare, more affordable education and infrastructure that is modern and well repaired?
4
When I was in Europe in August 2007, I remember this quote from my European friend:
"We work to live. Americans live to work."
I totally agree.
I am almost 57 and a contractor. I don't get paid vacation or paid holidays or paid sick time or paid personal time. I work, I get paid; I don't work, I don't get paid - it's just that simple. Thus, I don't feel any guilt if I give myself 4 or 5 weeks of unpaid vacation every year so I can at least feel human like my European friends who start new jobs with 6 weeks of paid vacation.
Thanks GOP for making America great again these past 39 years!
4
Please note there is no such thing as "Europe", except in a geographical sense. A Fin has precious little in common with a Greek.
That said, the idea that the state has a positive role to play in people's lives is pretty universal. I surmise this is because Europa has experienced war, if not in living memory, then certainly sufficiently recently to be a factor in the design of society and in the recognition of the utility of making sure the poor are not desperately poor. Most of us, quite naturally, have a frame of reference that extends over centuries, just by looking at the cities we live in. Compromise is not a dirty word, nor is wealth redistribution.
The only partial exception may be the UK, which is why it is struggling with its self-inflicted Brexit debacle...
4
I quit my job and have been traveling with my family in Europe for over a month. It is really healthy to have an outside-in look at the US, but I think there is some context missing in this video.
I love Europe (in general). So many of the European social benefits are fantastic from a quality of life standpoint.
But there are some logical points (e.g. Europeans do pay for their healthcare through taxes rather than, say, insurance), some frustrating points to consider (e.g. our drug costs are so high in part because we effectively subsidize prices for Europe through fragmented negotiations), and a bigger picture point is that America is philosophically very different from Europe.
On a spectrum between collectivization and complete civil liberty, Europe has in recent decades (please remember that Europe has fought two unfathomably bloody wars within the past 105 years) embraced a much more collectivist approach. More simply, this has meant higher taxes and a spreading of income. The U.S. has always skewed towards a philosophy of rugged individualism and government skepticism. When it comes to things like profiting from your work, this manifests well, but it stands in stark contrast to the broad safety net that Europeans have.
I have come to appreciate Europe so much. However, I have also come to appreciate that baffling as it may be for progressives, many people in the U.S. would rather the government just stay out of their life.
5
@Al
"Many people" is no longer the majority.
And these "many people" are perfectly fine with
the government interfering in people's sex lives
and reproductive choices. As well as government
lending its helping hand to corporations.
"Many people" also opposed the 8 hour day, Social Security, racial equality, Medicare and environmental regulation (and still do). They were defeated. It will take time, but they will be defeated again. The nation cannot continue on its path to having medical care be increasingly unobtainable.
4
@Al
'e.g. our drug costs are so high in part because we effectively subsidize prices for Europe through fragmented negotiations'?
Huh? Most Pharma companies are either multinational or European. Not American.
Subsidize? You mean that European countries won't stand for the outrageous rip-offs perpetrated on American patients? And, European political systems and societies don't allow the naked cartel behaviour, lobbying and general skullduggery that corporate America thrives on.
You make it sound like American consumers are suffering because of charitable philanthropy towards European patients. A sort of Marshall Plan for drugs? Not only American exceptionalism at its most exceptional, an extremely bizarre idea too.
5
@Al ...an EU 'collectivist' approach? Here's an example of American collectivism---masquerading as 'individualism'.
Our politicians and our corporate mega donors collectively make policy that increases the political power and profits of mega donors.
Collusion? They collude with politicians dependent on their donations to run for office. We citizens can't compete.
They are collectivized, while We the People--the citizen majority--- are individualized, with little power to affect policy for our benefit.
Studies show, though the media ignors, that a small group of elite megadonors get to set the limits of our lawmaking.
See Princeton's Gilens and Page, and many others using congress records showing how most of our laws are passed per the wishes of the 1 percent and their lobbyists.
And this is sold to us as American Freedom. Our high court said any limits on mega donor money are against Free Speech per 1st Amendment.
Are their any similar laws in other democracies that effectively muffle the voice of the people who elect their govt?
4
I wish the US had better and more accessible health care. I would like to see American tax dollars spent in sectors other than military.
But other than that America is way ahead of EU countries or Canada in almost every aspect. Freedom of speech, the top value of a liberal society, is better protected here than anywhere else. The long-term potential and stability is much greater in the US than in the EU. The latter is falling apart and we can only hope that European nationalism and tribalism won't lead into another continent-wide war.
People are immigrating to the US from Europe and Canada and much less so the other way around. Just consider the tech sector: immigrants from allover the world are coming to Canada to work while waiting for H1B visa or a green card in the US - i.e. Canada is attractive only as the first step towards the US visa or residency.
America is still the most desirable destination for immigrants from most of the world, including from EU/Canada. In my experience most people romanticizing Europe are either rich American liberals who are treated as a superior class in Europe (so they have a skewed perspective of the real society) very envious Europeans who can't qualify for green card in the US.
9
@natan
Where did you get the idea that significant numbers of people are immigrating here from Western Europe and Canada?
And part of the reason we are ahead in tech is due to our size. One entity with over 300 million people.
The notion that Europe is on the verge of collapse, and our free speech rules somehow "trump" the ridiculous cost of US healthcare and our crumbling infrastructure, is silly. We can have safe bridges, single payer AND free speech.
3
@natan
I've been told that the European project is on the brink of falling apart since I voted to remain in it in 1975. About to collapse ever since. Yet, it goes from strength to strength.
I haven't know of any Brits who have 'immigrated' to the US since the early 1980s. My brother in law - from NC, took up British citizenship a couple of years ago.
I can assure you this is no longer the 1890s. Europeans see the US in a somewhat different light now,
2
Wow.
As being from Europe you couldn’t be more wrong in my opinion.
We take care of each other with accessible healthcare, we have much higher standars for food, women have a choice over their own bodies, we have a much more fair society, the rich pay more taxes instead of non, big coorporations don’t own us, we have gun laws, we don’t kill eachother with guns, we have bikes and almost no cars, we have an ancient culture, we aren’t religious, we love our gays, we have liberal laws, we have no deathpenalty, we have passports which we can use to travel over the whole world freely, our society isn’t as segragated as yours. Do you want me to go on? Your war veterans live on the streets because nobody cares, you let people die because they have no money, medical bankrupty doesn’t excist here. You talk about nationalism and populists? You have Donald Trump. We are the real liberals, live and let live. Happy being a European mate.
5
Oh America is much better than it used to be. We used to only eat the equivalent of Wonder Bread. If don't believe me you weren't around in the 1960s. All those European vacations changed us. Now a cornucopia of food awaits us.
We also have very high quality healthcare that is far better than it was when we were eating Wonder Bread, and it is more accessible to more of the population. All we have to do now is to convert to a more rational and egalitarian system that controls costs and provides universal care without bankrutpcy. America can do it. One can hope.
America needs widespread reforms in healthcare, higher education financing, public infrastructure and public safety. We can do it. We put a man (person) on the Moon didn't we?
1
I'm surprised that the article talks about "America" ... there are in my view, three Americas: The haves, the have-mores, and the have-littles. I wish the questions were about how Europeans feel about those three Americas.
I bet their answers would be quite different.
4
Like our friends in Europe an increasingly large number of us Americans are getting rather sick of an economy that allows the MEGA rich and corporations to contribute nothing in the form of taxes, while our government borrows trillions. Access to basic human needs of healthcare, education, shelter and food are only granted to those that can afford them. It seems that is every other sophisticated economy in the world has figured out how to do this then why can't we?
6
Young Europeans are as spoiled as young Usans or Americans, by having been raised on TV, texting, and spoiled by their parents. The former have forgotten the words attributed by Schiller to Wilhelm Tell, and the latter the motto of the gunslingers of the Wild West. Respectively, "I want (lack) my arm when I want (lack) my weapon", and "Shoot first, ask questions later".
2
And just a thought, if herr trump does not want to be fighting other countries' wars, and wants to isolate America, with his maga followers, why does the U.S. need to be a "great" military power, spending obscene amounts on the military, rather than using the money on infrastructure, climate initiatives and healthcare?
14
@mariamsaunders
Parades.
1
I am always amazed that when confronted with problems in one's country the knee jerk reaction is to point out problems in another country. And this applies to all countries. But to wrap yourself in the flag and refuse to acknowledge that another country might have a better way of doing things, and with a few tweaks might work for you, is hard headed bordering on ignorant.
11
@RNS
Its quite irrational. Those most likely to do this are those who thought America was not great anymore, and voted for a demagogue to make it great "again".
But their beefs with the US are supposedly "patirotic", while those of their opposition are "Anti-American".
1
As a (former) European, I wanted to share my thoughts, buy then I saw this:
" Comments are moderated for civility."
So, I'll abstain...
1
But, but, but...we’re sooooo exceptional.
9
Most popular Song ever Europe: The Final countdown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jK-NcRmVcw
See the official music video everything is urbanized, The motivation for the song is as the Earth is ruined by Development & growth. We are ready now to leave planet Earth and move to Mars and Jupiter to destroy those planets. Thats the European mindset.
That is why there is a God, and Nature is God, and God resets everything.
W C Fields best summed up American social philosophy.
Never give a sucker an even break.
2
Europeans? Glaswegians? Bucharesters? Neapolitans?
I am shocked by how much American leaders today sound like the third world thugs with their "big man" mentality that is used to hide their lack of intellect and competence.
9
Just how jaded are you at NYT? If you dislike the US so much, perhaps you should write your news from New Zealand! After all, all of your followers threaten to move there if Trump is reelected. Although they threatened to move there if he was elected in the first place. Unfortunately, none of them have. Why is that? you ask. Because for all its faults it is still the greatest country in the world.
Your Editorial Board and Opinion writers should be ashamed. The majority of the world would like to move here. Yet, all you can do is find fault with your country.
GET OUT IF YOU DO NOT LIKE IT!!!!!
7
America is the greatest country in the world ?
I would recommend you travel a little .
What I actually like about America is that it can be criticized.
Some like you who think its should not be criticized get enraged and say : “ GET OUT IF YOU DONT LIKE IT“ ( quoting you, upper cases and all ).
That interjection definitely doesn’t make America Great...but just less clever.
7
@bsb
I recently saw the following meme: "Funny how the people who yell at Americans to leave their country if they don't like their government are THE SAME PEOPLE who yell at immigrants to stay home (or go back where they came from) and fix theirs if they don't like it."
6
It’s really not at all easy or even possible to just get us and legally immigrate to another country. That’s what always cracks me up about the ‘if you don’t love it, leave it’ mentality. You have no right to tell anyone to leave, and they have no obligation, regardless of their feelings on the matter—citizens can hate it here all they want and have every right to stay, as annoying as that might to you. And as if there is fault in wanting to find ways to better the country. Please trust that as good as it is here for many, A LOT could be improved. (And we are not the greatest country in the world; that would be Australia. They’re light years better than us.)
5
America hates its citizens unless they are white and rich living here sucks
3
What people don't talk about is that the GDP of US companies is built on the back of extraordinarily low labor standards.
People in the US don't realise that when they are fed the line about - you live in the greatest country in the history of the world - they are referring to GDP levels. And those GDP levels were first built of exploration via slavery...and now the poorest labor standards in the developed world.
In Europe, Canada, Australia, etc....we'll take lower GDP for quality of life.
Industrialists and oligarchs have purposefully kept the US a class system of horrendous proportions.
12
Canada is similar to Europe with healthcare, but it is not "free" as these young Europeans said. That is a misconception. We pay it collectively through taxes, and it represents a very big chunk of provincial budgets.
But I agree with these young Europeans in the sense that it is a much better system overall!
9
I feel like this is quite one-sided (as a European immigrant to the US). Ask Europeans about the level of unemployment. Unemployment levels that are "standard" in France (10%) would cause a riot in the US. Also, the level corruption in many European countries means some of these social benefits exist in name only. EX: being mommy-tracked or outright fired during maternity leave. OR, being asked to work off the books so that you aren't eligible for employment-based benefits is very common. And the healthcare can be very spotty; in Romania and Bulgaria, if you went to the hospital to get your leg fixed, you might end up dead because of poor sterilization and lack of equipment
9
@Isabel -Clearly, there is a big dichotomy between Western Europe and the Ex Communist companies.
I was born in Europe, moved to the US via my parents, and returned to work there for a time.
An American visitor to Paris asked me, while assuming France would definitely be less progressive than the US, what the status of women is in the workplace.
While there are still some advantages to women working in the US, there are significant downsides: in France, where bureaucracies are more entrenched, everything is regulated and salaries known, I was equally paid compared to a man in the same position.
Social support is unequaled: child care, vacation days, universal health care, work-life balance. If I had wanted children I would have stayed there; instead I returned to the States; but with the erosion (or threat of loss) of many gains for women and minoritues, along with the realization that much of American society is still to toxically racist, masculine and self-centered, I now regret not having remained in Europe for the long term; this is not to say Europe doesn’t have its share of problems, but if the US has lost what progress it has made, it no longer shines as the bright beacon.
19
@ml How about those French inheritance laws? They're not great for women.
2
Very sad to see all this negativity, but a story like this brings out the malcontents.
I’ve lived in Europe and enjoyed it, but I am happy to be an American living in the U.S.
We’ve had a rough few years as a nation. This too shall pass.
5
@BJ
It won't pass if one accepts the status quo.
2
As an underdeveloped country, psychologically and socially, perhaps we should appeal for some new kind of developmental aid so we could grow up and develop into a mature, caring nation, that takes care of its people.
14
As a potential student for further studies in the West I had no option but to head for England as I has no financial support beyond paying my own fare and funds for a 3 month stay abroad. England offered the opportunity to find me a job at the same time as I pursued an education. America would have been a risky proposition if things had not worked out. However having lived in Europe for 41 years and having seen and read about life across the pond, there is no doubt, that an average European has a more protected existence than his American counterpart. You will not starve in England Europe or be denied medical help no matter how poor; you can regrettably easily do so in New York/America. RIn terms of physical safety as well Europe has been better placed than gun-tooting America. Everything in America is big , it’s buildings, it’s apples, it’s riches as well as its poverty. The only reason I would have preferred America is that a professional person can be a lot more comfortable financially in America than austerity condemned England, with unrealistic ceilings upon returns for achievers. An immigrant to America does a lot better there than in England or for that matter in Europe. Besides the weather in America is certainly kinder than in England though not so than the in the European South.
When I visited an e-learning conference in Florida, I was stunned; suddenly armed soldiers entered the main hall where the conference was in full swing!
The national anthem was played and everybody stood up to honour the military. The whole thing lasted for half an hour.
Of course you respect your soldiers, but there is a time and a place for everything. To glorify the armed services during a conference about learning would in most European countries unthinkable.
11
@Ernst Duvert That sounds weird to me. I've lived here all my life and never seen anything like that. Not that you aren't telling the truth, but it's definitely unusual.
6
@Ernst Duvert I hope you showed them the respect they deserve. You can be sure that without brave young Americans like those, you would have grown up with a lot more (much less friendly) soldiers around you.
4
@Ernst Duvert Yes, it would be pretty funny to see the German army come in with broomsticks for guns...
2
The United States has joined a list of has been European empires that proceeded it. Many Americans can trace their ancestry to the nations of Europe. Former empires and kingdoms that warred against each other Constant repression on religious groups, ethnic groups, created famines (see Ireland) and monarch "bad hair" days. People came here to escape misery and start a new life.
Thanks to nationalism, in the US, what divided Europe fro centuries, has taken root6 in the US. The US, has been a tenuous melting pot. Each new immigrant group, which arrived, that were not considered desirable, by the original English/Dutch settlers often faced prejudice, and sometimes violence (see article a couple weeks ago, in this newspaper, what Italians faced, including lynchings in the south).
Now, that the descendants, of the original WASP settlers, and those who joined them, see themselves becoming a permanent minority, they have taken to the old Europe way of doing things, including doing things to keep the US WASP.
So how does Europe see the US? They can look themselves in the mirror, the US "experiment" si failing, with an ardent nationalist WASP at its helm.
1
@Nick Metrowsky,
Ain't no WASP but I am squarely about national self preservation; we have saved many people around the world; now, lets help Americans first.
2
Moving to Europe after graduating from high school enabled me, rather ironically, to realise that the American dream I was raised to pursue in fact, resided for me in Europe.
The past 16 years in the UK and Sweden, I have;
- Graduated with a BA Hons from a top university, for free
- Received 6 weeks paid vacation, ironically enabling me to spend more time off with my family in the States than I otherwise would have had I lived IN the States
- Receive world class health care, for free, for what has proven to be a rather eventful life in hospitals for a 34 year old from various operations, specialist consultants and not least a very complicated pregnancy & emergency c-section, the list goes on. Never receiving a single bill.
- Being dependant on a bike, rather than a car. We have never owned nor needed a car, with the excellent bike lanes & public transportation, and yes, good pannier bags for those groceries.
- Received 480 days of paid parental leave that partners need to split, per child, to be taken out anytime before each child turns 8.
- Free daycare & preschool (and vegetarian/organic)
- And the highest percentage of taxes we pay is 25%
...all this and I still love and miss life in America for more reasons than I have space to write.
We face other challenges in Europe, but I will say the Cooking section of the Times goes a long way in helping us on the journey...
22
@Chris McGee
Isn't it possible that you miss "home" rather than the idea of America?
1
@caljn That's a fantastic question and is one we often pose ourselves. It's a combination of both. I do miss "home", ie seeing my parents/US family more than once a year and indeed have a romanticised idea what life would be like in the States with a small family, (baseball games, 4th of Julys, trips to Trader Joes, date nights ending with late night In'n'Out, etc). The latter ideal is very much just an idea. Our lived reality in Europe alleviates certain financial pressures and enables us to prioritise young family life, time that's pretty priceless for us.
2
I lived and worked in Germany for 5+ years. I was very impressed by the social welfare benefits guaranteed by the state. I was very impressed with the high regard accorded culture, and the very large role the state plays in supporting the arts. I was not impressed with the quality of healthcare I received under the state system, which, unless you have a private, add-in policy, is poor to mediocre. But at least everyone is insured.
In general, however, I found the society there rigid - utterly foreign to me even after I attained near-native language skills. I was not impressed with the knowledge the average German had of America, especially those who had not visited. They have a simplistic, media-driven view of this country that does not comport with reality.
Not to underplay this country's problems, which are intractable, and getting worse.
(My grandfather was born in Copenhagen and I was disappointed to find out that does not grant me the right to Danish citizenship.)
5
@Elliot
Do you think the average German's knowledge of the US is worse than the average American's knowledge of Germany? Americans are less likely to speak foreign languages, spend significant time in other countries, or take active interest in other cultures. Europeans pretty much have to do it to be competitive in the EU job market (and besides, it's fun).
8
Americans tend to be self-obsessed, so we believe our opinions of the standards of living in other countries. I'm sure it is quite shocking to citizens and foreigners alike when they realize that the US of A isn't doing as great as the product branding suggests. To quote a comment I saw on a European website years ago, "America is the richest 3rd world country on earth."
17
Thank you for this perspective. Regarding health care cost, my monthly insurance is above $800 here yet, facing an health issue, I recently have chosen to pay out of pocket doctors visits and tests in France where I spend a lot of time as the costs is equal (or less for specialists) than my co-pay in the US. Each time the health care provider was surprised when I said it was fine for me to pay without French health coverage (carte vitale) and insisted on giving me a receipt to submit in the US! I pay the $800 here in case I have an emergency or accident that will prevent me to seek treatment abroad but really much prefer the system there where half of the visit is not spent filling insurance forms.
8
Perhaps your survey should have included an age- and sex-matched group of Americans who could have been asked the same questions, either without divulging the country or assigning a fictitious, but legitimate sounding name, for the county about which the survey applied. Do you think Americans would have had a higher opinion, not knowing you were surveying attitudes about America and its policies?
2
Having lived half my 60 years on one side of the Atlantic and half on the other, I see it like this: if you are an average jill or joe (or even if you are down on your luck) you are much better off in Europe. But if you are a super high achiever, then you can find the room and resources to really excel in the U.S. The amplitudes have always been bigger in the U.S... where the highs are higher but the lows are lower. Witness the White House now, and six years ago.
28
@In medio stat virtus
"But if you are a super high achiever,"
Do you mean, if you come from a family of means?
4
Many of these concerns are valid, but you’ve cherry-picked bad things to include. There are competing positives as well that are not being considered. You could elicit similar reactions about any country on earth by only picking bad things.
6
@Peter Lipset -
the point is standard of living, not things like the Constitution.
1
It is correct that "the United States grapples with a larger and more diverse population than that of any European country." Yet, that sentence does not reflect reality. There are well over 500 million diverse people living in the EU, the world's largest consumer market. The 28 European countries that are still members of the EU have fought many wars between themselves, whereas the US has really only done it once. It is easy to argue that Europeans are happier and better treated than people living in the US. The number of guns in private hands in the US is an offense to a civilized society...
6
@Carl Nisser We have many different religions, histories, conflicts and languages. (People from small countries usually have some fluency in the language of neighboring countries, but the only thing that really helps communication is that most young people can nowadays understand each other through English.) Is all of that not diversity? Are a black and a white American who both speak English as their mother tongue more diverse than two Europeans from say, the Netherlands and Greece? I remember being able to communicate with Greek grandmothers while backpacking on the Peloponnesos only by using the most basic words of the Classical Greek I had been force-fed in high school, and I assure you that it did not go much further than: “How many children do you have?” (Always a good one.)
2
I have lived in Europe for 30 years. It's not perfect over here either, but there are four things I haven't ever had to worry about: healthcare, my kid's education, my credit rating (all debts, once paid, are erased after 15 days) and gun violence. Just those four reasons alone more than compensate for whatever might be lacking. They give you enormous peace of mind. The sad part is, I try to explain these things to people when I visit the States, and it always ends up in a heated debate and, often, insults. I love my country and love to visit, but I don't believe I could ever live there again.
44
@that's what they said about the Irish, the Japanese, the Mexicans and those from the Nordic countries.....most immigrants when they arrive in the US are poverty stricken. PS - we aren't even nearly overfilled. But continue happy in your little bubble.
3
@Kris,
I never had to worry about my credit rating, about insurance or debt, or education of my kids either because I worked hard to provide those things and more; however, since the USA has added over 100 million LEGAL immigrants in the last 50 years, all bets are off about the future of legal American kids; we are over filled with the worlds poverty stricken immigrants.
5
@Kris I’m in the same situation, though I’ve only lived in Europe half as long. There’s no way I’d ever move back to the US, especially since I have children. There are no active shooter drills for kindergardeners in Denmark.
If someday my kids want to study abroad in an English-speaking land, I’ll suggest Canada, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand.
2
During my time living in Luxembourg I was most impressed by the high regard and protection given to children. The schools were magnificent and everyone took care when children were at play. They were truly safeguarded by their entire communities. Parents were especially attentive. Local political issues often involved future directions for education, sports, and arts programs for children. A large portion of local budgets were dedicated to childhood education and enrichment. And it obviously pays off since the overall local folk were incredibly well educated, highly informed, and cultivated. While back at the ranch it’s the same old same old, the budgets voted down, the schools are in shambles, the teachers are bedraggled, and education undervalued.
22
@Schimsa
The fertility rate is 1.4 in Luxembourg. Yes, they really value children.
2
Born and raised in another country I can assure you that the US is not the #1 country in the world. It is so incredibly backward. It will stay this way until folks wake up, speak to others from other countries, travel, and get internationally educated. We are a sad back water.
27
I'm too old to leave the US and start over in a new country unless Trump is re-elected, neo-Fascism becomes our new political model and my family has to flee the US for their lives. If I were in my 20s and just starting out in a career, I would leave the country if Trump is re-elected. The violence, racism, religious fanaticism, high cost of living and greed by the wealthy in this country makes it a less than ideal place to live. The US is not a top tier country like most of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. The US is closer to a 2nd tier country like Argentina or Turkey.
9
@J. C. Beadles -
I never felt the way you feel until Trump. Its not just him, but the blind loyalty of 40% of Americans to him irregardless of his authoritarian tendencies and ignorance.
Its makes me feel sad that I'm thinking I will advise my 14 year old son to immigrate to Canada when he comes of age. As my wife is Canadian, such would be much easier for him.
2
America is a dysfunctional oligarchy run by and for the one percent. It is in public policy gridlock, which will continue for decades to come (so it doesn't matter who is President in 2021 because they won't be able to implement anything: whether it is a Border Wall or Medicare for All, it won't get done). This is how the eminent oligarchs and racketeers like it.
It is not just that America has serious issues, but that it will not even begin to address any of them for the forseeable future. A sad decline from the optimistic can-do nation of 60 years ago.
10
I live in Australia and have visited the US a few times.
Nice place to visit but I would hate to live there. I think that if americans traveled more or could afford to travel they would see how far behind the rest of the world they are.
27
@andrew-
I travel in professional circles, and know more than a few people who travel regularly. Most have been to Canada at least once.
Despite what they've seen there, there are many who will describe their single payer system as if people were dying in the streets and impoverished by draconian taxes. Which is not the case (my wife's Canadian and I've been there multiple times).
My nation is in a self imposed ignorance cycle.
2
I just came back from Brussels Belgium. I met with many of my family
From all around the world. . .Lisbon. . .London. . .Paris. . .Luanda. . . Kinshasa. . . .Dallas!
1
My family and I spent August in Utrecht, Netherlands.
In all that time:
*we saw virtually no homeless/street people
*we saw no gunshops
*we saw no gas-guzzling cars or pickup trucks
*we enjoyed the best train and integrated transport system*we enjoyed cycling on dedicated bicycle lanes
*we enjoyed an unexpected doctor visit costing a mere $30
*we enjoyed the freedom of travel with the EU
Utrecht is not perfect. The Dutch need a strong anti-smoking campaign.
If you ask why we didn't just stay there - if by some twisted turn of fate Trump were to win in 2020, we will be moving - why on earth would we stay?
17
@TMM
And you live in a wonderful city, Boulder!
Here's the thing...How many of us can afford to move and who will take us?!
2
@TMM *https://www.news.com.au/world/europe/gunman-opens-fire-in-deadly-mass-shooting-in-the-netherlands/news-story/70a6e37afdbe642a68fbdccd023ed456
*The reality is that wars/violence has been responsible for most of the substantial advancements in human history.
*Here's the short list: https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/research/g1577/7-surprising-scientific-advances-that-came-out-of-world-war-i/
*One might stay in America because one would want to strive to make it a better place, or one could run away and ride bikes in Holland all day.
4
@Texan
You're entitled to your view, Tex.
Citing gun violence in the Netherlands only proves my point -
Gun deaths in U.S./100,000 people = 12.21
Gun deaths in Netherlands/100,000 = 0.58
It follows a similar rate of gun ownership:
U.S. 120.5 guns/100 inhabitants
Netherlands 3.9/100 inhabitants
Gee, it's like it's correlated and causative.
As for staying - I'm in my 70's, a Vietnam Era Vet and suffered through Nixon/Agnew, Reagan/Bush Bush/Quayle and Bush/Cheney. All those combined were a cakewalk compared to Trump/Pence.
I will stay and campaign to dump Trump. But if that fails, I choose to watch the disaster from afar.
And BTW, your name implies you 'ran away' to the Seychelles - hypocrisy?
As for your claim that 'advancements' are achieved (only?) via wars/violence - as a scientist, I say Hogwash. As Alber Einstein said, you can not prepare for war and peace at the same time. Wars and violence result primarily in carnage and waste. Using war to achieve 'advancements' is like resorting to self-immolation to keep warm.
5
People from english speaking European countries always cast our eyes both ways. In the European continent but attracted by the pull of US soft power. However the US never resolved the issue of slavery and comes accross as a country still divided and full of anger and violence. For all our faults glad to be a European.
4
As an American, on my first visit to Europe, I apologized for President George W. Bush, the invasion of Iraq, and the war profiteering that is obvious by both Democrats and Republicans. I thought Bush was being totally manipulated by VP Cheney and I cannot believe that now that evil man's daughter is a US Senator. Now we have Trump, who is more ignorant that W, and flat out reckless. But worst of all, I don't think President Trump has an ounce of humanity... maybe for his children, but certainly not for any of our children. To top it all off, we are a two-party nation held in check by a handful of billionaires and global corporations that would just love to greatly reduce all existing social programs that keep people from literally starving to death. Forget about Medicare For All or healthcare as a right for all people if we do not find a way to overcome Citizens United that allowed global corporations to pour unlimited amounts of money at political puppets and reward them with lobbyist jobs on the other side of "serving the people." I will say this: Tourism is way down since Trump became POTUS. The country has a reputation for mass shooting and police brutality.
13
Honestly, I'd expect better from the NYT. I actually agree with many of their reactions to our completely backwards policies, i.e. no paid family leave, astronomical healthcare costs for the under- and uninsured, etc. But, this video was basically socially constructed to get gasp-y reactions. Yes, our politics are partisan, our president is terrible, and our policies are behind Europes, but how about France's legal racism and anti-muslim attitudes? How about brexit? Why couldn't you have shocked these same participants with statistics about our diversity, leading the world in the services economy, and our beautiful lands. America is far from perfect, but this video staged reactions from Europeans about some of our worst policies and failed to highlight anything that is good about America. This content seems better for Buzzfeed.
12
@Nate
Maybe they wanted to shake people up. Americans need
a good slap in the face to realize just how far we've fallen compared to the rest of the first world.
The Status quo is the enemy.
3
For years I ran global law practices first for a large US law firm and later for a US-based multinational. In both jobs, encountered Europhile-type young Americans who romanticized about living in Europe as though everything in life boiled down to black turtlenecks, shopping for groceries one meal at a time in quaint neighborhood markets, and coming home with a bottle of French wine and a huge loaf of French bread. To a person, everyone of them begged to be repatriated within a short period of time. All it took was one encounter with a Flemish plumber or a visit to a European licensing agency.
Having a bunch of cradle-to-grave millennial socialists giggle about the lack of free stuff in the US tells me we are on the right track for two reasons: first because they were comparing MIT to some free program in Europe (I'd take MIT at $50K any time) and because none of those free-loaders want to come here. That's right, pick your country based upon how much paid leave the government requires your employer to give you, and see what kind of population you end up with.
GIVE ME THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE!
8
@AR Clayboy But in Flanders everyone nowadays uses Polish plumbers!
@AR Clayboy Free stuff - socialism
good recitation of the party line.
Can we now take you apart attitude by attitude?
4
America, pre-Nixon, Reagan, Bush I & II, and Trump, was a country to be proud of-I'm talking basically during the Eisenhower administration when the middle class was protected and governments did big things like the national hgihway system. Now the GOP does not want to govern-it wants to stop all governance, protect Big Business and start stupid wars-why?-as a distraction, and to keep the military machine going. Democrats want to govern and make things fair again but until we get rid of the Electoral College and Fox News, or until more Americans wake up, I don't see it happening on any large scale for any sustained length of time.
7
@CJ
Sorry to burst your nostalgic bubble.
but for those of us who are of color (and other marginalized populations such as lesbian/gay/queer/bisexual/trans), this country was never one to be proud of. My parents and his parents had to swim and drink out of the "Coloreds only" fountains and pools. A second generation Mexican American, my father's hands were slapped by teachers when he "slipped" and spoke Spanish in class.
So no, I won't look back on this country's history and think of any "good ol days".
394
@Left Coast
I totally agree with you, regarding race, but the article was mostly about the economy, healthcare, education. The 50s were at least a time when manufacturing was strong and unions protected workers. Now we have more equality-yes, it is far from perfect-but our factories and unions are gone. My main point was that Republicans no longer (unlike Eisenhower) want to govern to fix problems, they want to govern to protect their businesses, pump up the stock market, and cut their taxes.
13
@Left Coast yes, and the rest of the world has been perfect. You want progress yet lament on the past. Move on.
5
I am looking forward to voting. Perhaps Mitt, perhaps Elizabeth.
1
What annoys me about the mindset of a lot of Americans is that they are completely ignorant of what goes on in other countries and have this warped perception of America as some sort of free utopia when in reality most people from other developed countries would never in a million years switch systems with the US.
Contrary to popular belief in the US, the US is not the most "free" country in the world - far from it.
US healthcare is a national disgrace. It is literally the only country not to have universal healthcare. The US education system, the money in politics/ power of lobbyists, incarceration rates, income inequality and gun laws are also disgraceful. The US works very well for the 1% and progressively more poorly for the rest of the population.
No country is perfect but Americans too often think the US is far, far superior to what it actually is.
25
This is true about some Americans, but as a well-traveled American, I have met just as many people who are just as ignorant everywhere else I’ve been. I think this is an unfair generalization.
3
@Peter Lipset I agree it’s a pervasive problem but in my experience it’s particularly prevalent in the US
2
@Peter Lipset -
40% of Americans think Trump is doing a good job.
Enough said.
5
In order: 1 - The middle and lower class of America have a terrible diet compared to the same classes in Europe. However, everyone has access to the best food in the world, you just have to pay for it. Also you are still eating McDonald's (an American restaurant) in Europe just with a smaller drink. 2 - You ban things more quickly because you have less freedom. Note that it says "may" cause cancer. Any American can read an ingredient list and decide how much risk they want to take. 3 - This is horribly misleading as most States have stricter laws and Federal Law requires 12 weeks of paid maternity leave for companies with more than 50 employees. 4 - Yes college is expensive if you pay FULL tuition to a PRIVATE school. A private university is a luxury good, not a necessity. How many top tier Universities does America have compared with the rest of Europe? Sometimes you get what you pay for. 5 - Healthcare coverage and cost is one of America's biggest problems and is currently being addressed. Even still, going back to the whole you get what you pay for thing, when is the last time an American flew to Belgium for surgery? 6 - Yea you know what flag you can't waive in Germany? The Nazi flag, because its banned because you have less freedom. Not gonna touch the gun issue because I only have 1500 characters.
5
@Greg The German guy did not say CAN’T wave. His comment had nothing to do with the Nazi flag. He simply meant the national flag. He said that they just don’t do it. Germans do not feel comfortable with displays of nationalism. Because they looked sincerely at their country’s past.
5
FYI: That free college in Europe is only available to those who score well on entrance exams. If implemented here, it would have a racially disparate effect, due to the intractable gap between Asian/white and Hispanic/black academic achievement levels. How many of you would be ok with that?
12
@Z97 Affordable college is not enough of course. The disparities we see on college entrance exams can be traced back to the opportunities and support children receive PRE-college. In many well-developed European countries, while private school is certainly an option, the public schools aren't as uneven in quality as they are here in the US (compare a school in a poor vs. rich part of a city). A public school education is just fine.
We can see this also by comparing math, science, etc. scores across elementary, middle, and high schools, etc. by country. Did you know that in Finland, to be a teacher, you have to have among the top 10% of the college graduating class and your income can be as high as a physician's? In contrast, most ambitious, high-achieving young people in the US do not go into teaching.
This isn't even to mention things like gun violence, poverty, lack of nutrition, etc. which also affects Hispanic/ Black children disproportionately in the US. If you're always in fear of getting shot or don't get enough to eat, that will affect your academic performance too. In many European countries, the safety net and laws help alleviate these issues.
But just because we can't solve everything in one swoop or with one change in policy doesn't mean we should not try and just stay stagnant. Rather we should address affordable college, improved public schools, more availablity of free lunch, etc. simultaneously. Produce 1 less F-35 jet and get $35 million.
1
@Z97 There ARE no entrance exams. What are you talking about? Your high school exam is your entry ticket. There are no scholarships for high achievers because they are not needed.
1
So What? I could care less what Europeans think about the US. I grew up in Europe and am so glad I no longer live there...
X
6
There was nothing in this piece that I didn't already know. But it sure was depressing to see it laid out this way.
How's that "American exceptionalism" thing workin' out for ya?
5
Europe and Canada are not too far behind us. Thanks to neoliberalism and multiculturalism, the fracturing will continue to grow, and eventually they'll reach U.S. levels of dystopia. Why would anyone be happy if increasingly nothing ties us together: not language, not behavior, not religion, not culture, not race.
Check out Robert D. Putnam's work on diversity: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_D._Putnam#Diversity_and_trust_within_communities
3
@EuroAmerican
Let's start calling neoliberalism by another name in order not to tarnish liberalism itself. Either economic libertarianism or laissez faire corporate consumer capitalism more accurately describes it. And let's put the blame where it belongs - with Reagan and Thatcher. Could there perhaps be a link between the utterly immoral economic system they originated and the decline in the ties that bind us? Could it be that this has been and continues to be b deliberate ploy to destroy the gains made during the age of social welfare, which created a sense of commonwealth. Perhaps when the pro economic libertarianism robber barons cease to use the system as though it's a game of monopoly, trust might be restored. This is a big country with 350 millions people in it. There is room for many cultures, languages, religious beliefs and races. The tie that binds should be being Americans.
@Roger C
Yeah, economics is part of the equation. I guess if I ran a large corporation I'd push diversity so I could bring in cheap labor at the expense of the native population.
My point is that being an "American" increasing means nothing. And don't give me the "our values" line.
2
Two things that come to mind when I consider what the European thoughts on the US are. First, in a ride from Florence, Italy to Rome to catch a plane home, I was surrounded by English speaking Italians after 9/11. They were terrified by Bush, thinking he was a gun slinger. They did not trust the US government, but liked the US people. The second thing was on the US govt response to the hurricane Katrina. I have a lot of European friends and their general comment on that was that the US was the richest 3rd world nation in existence. Generally speaking, they do not like the US government or its pushy policies, but all, especially in Italy, loved the American people.
4
Honestly this video represent only these young people but not so much other european citizen.
And by the way, they overplayed their surprises when discovered "how it works" in Usa.... 99,99% of european peoples are aware of all of these facts. Thanks to your movies industry and internet, we are all "usa culturized" now.
Plus, you asked about american dreams but they seems to be from upper class and obviously they also live in big globalized cities. Of course they want to go in america because they see this country as better opportunies for themselves since they are well educated and rich. In our big cities the usa is the "model" to follow since we all have to speak and think america-english now.
But ask the same to all others (for example yellow vests wich are the losers of globalisation, caution these ones not speak english). I'm pretty sure they wont answer the same. Just one fact : over 60% of french are living in rural area, not in big cities.
Other fact, thoughts differs from the generation. Im 31 years old and many of my friends my generation dont like america, its imperialism and see our french culture threaten by the america.
=> You asked to millenials who only know their countries globalized and with strong usa culture.
And finally, I suggest to not idealize the european countries neither. For example, in France our hospitals are in strikes for several weeks now because of lack of investments and workers. Our economies are weak as we are a usa province. And so on.
3
@Xavier,
Thank you; when I think of Europe, I recall the rows and rows of tombstones of the Americans who invested their souls in saving Europe so that arrogant youth of today can whine about how bad America is; we carried Europe on our shoulders for decades; but I am grateful to you French for teaching us what Democracy looks like.
4
@JRS I think America during ww2 had understood that the future of world powers would play in this war. They didnt care about european people. Only see interest of america. Good for us yes but dont exagerate your "humanity".
1
I don't really care if Europeans aren't impressed.
9
@James
That's the attitude that makes America great again.
@James
Europeans are like the pod people from Invasion of the Body Snatchers .. On the surface they look normal.. but something inside them is a little off...
1
@James
Cool story. You must not travel much outside of this country.
You guys want to be like Europe? Then start paying $7 dollars a gallon for gasoline and let's have a talk..
8
@Aaron
It would be good for the environment if Americans learned to use energy sources more sparingly, such as high prices tend to make people do. I remember well Dubya saying (through his spokesperson): “High energy consumption has always been part of the American way of life. It is a blessed way of life, and the president vows to protect it.” That struck me at the time as shockingly dumb. Please think about it, and about what you wrote.
2
@Aaron
The vast majority of Europeans rarely need to spend on gas due to their superb, integrated public transportation systems.
1
Should have asked them, "if China or Russia invades your country, who are you going to call?"
7
@Kohl we have nuclear bomb
2
@Kohl The EU defense budget dwarfs Russia’s defense budget. Look it up Helmut!
I am so tired of having supposedly sophisticated European opinions on America shoved down my gullet 365 days a year. Like this article is anything new, like there isn’t a constant international slow drip of anti-American sentiment on every single issue imaginable. Europe despises and resents America. Big shocker.
12
Well, kids will be kids. The unemployment rate in several countries in Europe is in double digits. Step away from the tourist centers and you can find plenty of urban dysfunction. Not all rural farms are organic and responsible either. Taxes stifle innovation and constrain citizens autonomy. Immigration is a vexing problem there as here in the US. The United States has guaranteed European security since WWII and it can be argued that we are why the USSR collapsed and the Eastern European bloc crumbled. So let freedom ring, reach across the water and embrace so much that is wonderful about our European neighbors. No system is perfect-strive for improvement.
12
The excuse of the US "larger and more diverse population" is phony. Just what is the cut off in amount of population or varied racial, ethnic groups, so that govt can't respond to the rights and needs of citizens?
Ex Pres Jimmy Carter has stated that "the US veers toward oligarchy because it takes so much money to run for any public office now."
Our biggest campaign expense is media ads, needing wealthy mega donors, spreading their self serving messages. Politicans 'collude' with donors to lower their taxes and weaken regulations by elected govt. This becomes a centrist norm. Opposition that would support the public interest is bashed as 'big govt'.
Per Wikipedia--- many European countries ban paid media campaign ads, to prevent 'special interests' from dominating their political discussion. Thus their average citizen has a chance to be heard. Here, paid ads by big money swamp our media and manipulate voters.
Our highest court in Citizens United equated big money donations with constitutional free speech, thus distorting the 1st amendment. This amplified the voice of the wealthy and muffled the voice of the citizen majority, who can't compete.
Our big money politics blocks what polls show majorities favor.
When will our media ever talk about this big difference, with obvious ripple effects in politics that respond to citizens legitimate rights?
1
That's a nice summary of why I wouldn't bother moving to the US. I couldn't stand the idea of constantly being one setback removed from bankruptcy and/or homelessness.
The comment at the end: "In Germany, we don't wave flags" had me rolling on the floor laughing.
6
In addition to thinking that our expensive for profit health care is “barbaric,” my European relatives are completely perplexed by our devotion to military style assault weapons in the hands of civilians.
4
Had Americans had, within living memory, a vicious war fought on their soil and their major cities bombed, not to mention systematic genocide, they might be more willing ( or able ) to retire the fantasy of “ rugged individualism “ that seems to form the basis of policies that to Europeans, seem inexplicably cruel, hard-hearted and short-sighted. It’s a rich, rich country that could easily afford to care for its own, and yet, in blithe disregard of the teachings of Christianity that undergird the dominant culture, it consistently chooses not to. American optimism and “can-do” spirit are admirable and inspiring, and one can only hope that one day they will be allied with compassion and true generosity of spirit.
5
@Patricia Goodson
I don't know. How did that vicious war end? I wonder what Europe would look like now if Americans had remained isolationist and let Europe fend for itself in WW II? The USA could have taken all its resources to simply defend itself. My father could have stayed home and not risked his life on Omaha beach. We could have kept our money and not rebuilt Europe with the Marshall plan.
But you are right. We should start taking care of our own and let Europe take care of itself.
2
The United States is a cautionary tale for the world about the way unrestrained capitalism, in an extreme libertarian society that is fanatical about protecting individual freedom above any notion of collective social responsibility, is permitted to corrupt and degrade all aspects of civil society.
Wherever the US is failing, you find aspects of the same thing.
2
My tax rate is about the same as what my European relatives pay. Only they get free health care, free university education for their children, modern public transit, and non toxic food. They ask me “What do you get for your taxes?” We get a bloated military industrial complex and endless wars for oil.
24
Alexander Tyler wrote this about democracy in 1787. It scares me about the future of America:
"A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. The average age of the world's great civilizations has been 200 years.
"These nations have progressed through the following sequence: from bondage to spiritual faith, from spiritual faith to great courage, from courage to liberty, from liberty to abundance, from abundance to selfishness, from selfishness to complacency, from complacency to apathy, from apathy to dependence, from dependency back to bondage."
He was writing about the fall of the Athenian Republic 2,000 years ago. I think we are at the complacency stage right now.
3
The first time I saw Europe I was not impressed with the United States, either.
The majority of people who claim our country is the "greatest on earth" do not have a passport.
8
I never realized how much I loved American culture till I lived in Europe. There’s a carefreeness, a loud boisterous energy that Americans take for granted. But this article really hits home with the issues that America needs to work on. That’s why I support Warren for 2020!!
2
Okay the US isn't perfect by a far cry, but come on everybody! No nation is - and there is a whole lot of good here too! The US leads the world in: aerospace and aviation, robotics, technology development, dog and cat ownership (pretty cool!), medical research and charitable giving (in terms of funds given total.) Surely we can acknowledge that we have systemic problems without completely bashing the US. I know I'm not the only one who still loves this country deeply!
8
@Lauren
Clearly understanding the faults of one's country is far from "bashing" it or not loving it deeply. It may mean the opposite.
3
And we love our fellow Americans so much that we want everyone to have free health care and the opportunity for higher education or vocational training. Why shouldn’t Americans have what citizens of every other first world nation on earth have had for decades?
5
@Lauren 'Leads... in aviation' have you missed the Boeing Max fiasco? Give me an Airbus anyday
2
My wife grew up in central Europe. If something was of unusually good quality or was really cool, they would describe it as "to je Amerika" which basically translates to "that's America". I'll never forget my wife's description of her first bite into a Hershey's chocolate. Just imagine the disappointment of growing up thinking everything American was the very best and then to bite into that quintessential American chocolate.
It's not all doom and gloom here, but let's face it, we can learn something from other countries, healthcare and chocolate for example.
5
@Mike B
Agree with your wife; the disappointment starts with Hershey chocolate and concludes with general inability to muster up compassion or sense of communal responsibility.
3
There are problems in Europe too. Everywhere in Europe, anti-immigrant, fascist forces are rising and their leaders are about as clownish as Trump. For years, the right wing in general has also fought to weaken the social safety net and, in contrast to the rosy view of American liberals, they have made significant gains. In some ways, America is not behind Europe on this, it is actually ahead, farther along this path of dubious progress.
In western Europe, change is always more gradual due to the parliamentary systems of government. With the exception of the UK, the government is almost always a coalition and there is significant inertia to any big changes. One of the consequences is that the far-right, enjoying about 20-30% support in many European countries, in some places higher, cannot easily rise to power and run a government. This differs from the US where the constitution allows one party that does not command majority support to rule several branches of government and colonize the court system with relatively few immediately enforceable checks and balances.
America, however, also does many things right, and relatively few adjustments would make it perfect, at least for me. I am not for fundamental reform. I would be happy with universal health care, annual leave, and Trump removed from office, to start with.
4
I have lived in America for 21 years and I have seen how much the cost of food has increased in America compared to Europe. Food used to be cheap in the USA - now food in the USA is much more expensive than say UK, France or Germany
7
I have traveled to Europe many times and extensively throughout the United States. In my estimation your average European is a lot more educated, informed, sophisticated and worldly than your average American - which I think explains a lot. This is perhaps exemplified by a joke told me by some foreign officers I studied with at the Naval Post-graduate School in California. "What do you call someone who speaks three languages? Tri-lingual. What do you call someone who speaks two languages? Bi-lingual. What do you call someone who can only speak one language? An American."
6
I grew up in the U.S., traveled and lived abroad in my post college years before settling down in Seattle and working at a large software company for nearly 2 decades. On a business trip more than ten years ago, I ended up in Norway. I returned a few times within a couple of years. Then I made a decision to pick up my family and move everything to Norway and have never looked back.
There are too many reasons to list in a comment but it comes down to wanting to live and raise my children in a society where people care about people, where a robust market economy is tempered with a real focus on social outcomes, where people work to live vs. living for work and material things. And Norway, despite its oil, is a country that loves and protects its natural bounty. I return to Seattle and the U.S. often for family and occasionally business, but it makes me sad to see what has become of it. I sincerely wish Americans would open their eyes and see that there are viable alternatives, that other countries are living differently and in many cases, much better. The U.S. is not Europe but it could someday evolve to a better version of itself. I continue to hope for the best.
24
@Kevin The US lost its soul a long time ago when money superseded family, and everyone's lives became all about the job. Glad I left 33 years ago and raised my family here. Unlike you, I don't think the US someday could evolve into a better version of itself. I think those days are gone.
2
This video is more of a lightweight social media approach to the differences in the cultures. That it doesn't include anyone older makes the project more anecdotal than truly informational. Since Reagan and 9/11 Americans have become demonstrably more conservative politically, while generally becoming more tolerant socially. Always absent from these conversations about social programs is defense spending, which still is greater in America than anywhere else by a factor of 6-8x. Without our spending so much, we are the biggest contributors to NATO, Europeans would be spending 3-5% of GDP instead of less than 2% they spend today (Europe's richest country, Germany spends about 1.5%). To put that in dollar terms, America would spend about $700B less on the military if we had euro style budgets. That buys a lot of health care. As to guns, our biggest dirty secret is that 2/3 die from suicide, not public, or mass shootings (22k out of 33K). The typical gun suicide 'victim' is a middle to late aged male, who either for health, or mental health reasons want an easy way to end their suffering. If we devoted more money to mental health care, we'd also address the no. 1 issue contributing to gun violence/deaths. Our under contributing to social programs is also our greatest contributor to social instability, and homelessness.
5
@ Ask Better Questions
I generally agree with your suggestions, but I think the point of the video is to demonstrate the big picture of a broken system, not a couple of things that simply need to be tweaked.
It's amazing that the NYT highlights all of these awful American realities. What I find strange is that these issues are part of the mainstream conversation largely because of Bernie Sanders, who also has the most comprehensive solutions for each, but the NYT really really dislikes him? If predatory capitalism is the enemy of the NYT, and the enemy of Sanders, isn't the enemy of your enemy your friend?
5
After reading many of these comments, it's no wonder that self hating extreme lefties can not win national elections.
Then, go back to Europe, and leave the rest of us to a country free of the extremes of the left as hatred of Democracy and the American people is not a winning hand.
4
Extremes? Investing our tax dollars in our health care and our children’s education is extreme? But throwing trillions in a bloated military industrial complex is not?
My European relatives think US expensive for profit health care is “barbaric. “
22
These subject lines always make me chuckle whether N.Y. times reporters or congressmen. What languages do you speak? How did you speak to anybody?
If the NYT tried to make a re-elect Trump campaign ad, it couldn’t do a better job than this four minute video. It is ok to criticize the country that I love, but it is not okay to scorn it.
6
@Rex Nemorensis the scorn is in your eyes
Listing facts and realities only feels like scorn when we score so poorly
2
Who else could have created all these pogroms, human bondage, indentured servants, feudalism, inquisitions, monasteries, monarchists, conquests, imperialism, communism, industrialism, plagues, genocides, mass starvation, globalization, weapons of mass destruction, and two world wars.
That is a lot of guilt to put on these poor youngsters.
5
@Charlie
Europe has a lot to answer for
2
The national self-loathing of the Times reached new heights, making me wonder why the entire editorial and opinion staffs don't emigrate to Europe.
I'd love it if America really was considered heinous by Europeans, then they'd stop moving to California.
10
@WestCoastBestCoast Dont worry the fires make it heinous as well
2
A pastiche of the most biased tropes about what is 'wrong' with America and then presented to a group of young and obviously impressionable Europeans so they can give their appropriately horrified responses.
This whole video, devoid of any context at all, is as low as some of the swill we see served up on the conservative MSM. No, actually it is lower, since I would have expected better from the NYTs.
6
These ignorant and ungrateful Europeans fail to realize we pay for their protection. Without the US they would be conquered in a couple of months.
6
@Matthew Nope. But Americans should really stop getting fleeced by Europeans by way of NATO. I guess they are too busy watching TV to care where their taxes go.
2
As a Brit who has visited your fine country several times: I largely found you interesting, friendly and helpful. However, I am rather surprised that your healthcare is not a right and is beyond the reach of many of your citizens, I have absolutely no idea why you need to carry guns and like us, and you appear to be governed by a complete idiot. I also don’t understand how you cannot like Marmite, but think that root beer is OK.
10
@Henry Rawlinson As an American living in Europe for more than 35 years, I think it only fair that Euros return the NATO favor and finance US healthcare for the next 70 years or so, as a gesture of appreciation. After all, American taxpayers have funneled $35 trillion into NATO since its inception.
5
You’re not the first Brit that has expressed an extreme distaste for root beer. What’s up with that?
1
Yeah, Europe is paradise and America is hell. What is the elitidt New York Times's problem - can it EVER be even-handed and objective anymore?
2
As a young American, anyone my age who has spent time online would not be surprised by the views shown in this video. We're the laughing stock of the world, damned if we do something and damned if we don't.
Come 2020, we need to pull something Trump said he would do but failed: put America first.
Instead of wasting money funding foreign countries through aid, providing military aid to Europe, or putting our hands in European conflicts, we need to focus on getting a single-payer system, rebuilding our transportation system, and reducing wealth inequality.
It's clear that Europeans do not want the US' "help" nor respect Americans. If they want to fend for themselves, let them fend for themselves. We have bigger domestic problems we need to fix.
2
As an American, it is embarrassing as hell that diversity can be mentioned as reason for our lack of social services compared to Europe. We are literally admitting that we are comfortable with denying citizens social services because they do not look or sound like the majority. Today, in a class I teach, I showed a film on the Great Depression. It mentioned how a famous picture of a young white mother with her child quickly changed public opinion in favor of providing aid to “Okie” migrants to California. At the same time, the government actively tailored housing and aid programs to minimize benefits available to Black and other non-majority citizens. Eighty years later, we are still fighting the same battles.
5
As a young American, anyone my age who has spent time online would not be surprised by the views shown in this video. We're the laughing stock of the world, damned if we do something and damned if we don't.
Come 2020, we need to pull something Trump said he would do but failed: put America first.
Instead of wasting money funding foreign countries through aid, providing military aid to Europe, or putting our hands in European conflicts, we need to focus on getting a single-payer system, rebuilding our transportation system, and reducing wealth inequality.
It's clear that Europeans do not want the US' "help" nor respect Americans. If they want to fend for themselves, let them fend for themselves. We have bigger domestic problems we need to fix.
3
@Mark when the gop has power do they address these issues?
But vote for trump he has a secret healthcare plan just as good as the one he promised would start first day in office.
Do you see GOP going for single payer despite being owned by big pharma
Where was their infrastructure investment?
The actively fight all of it
But you have faith one day pigs will fly
1
The one woman on the video who said "POOR people would have more kids if they got paid leave, but the rich can afford to already" has a point. But she forgot the middle class. We would have had a third child, but we were afraid we couldn't afford it, especially college, but also day-care and medical insurance. As for the big picture, Republicans keep playing a shell game with American voters. Look at tRump's promises. "The best health care ever! And it'll be so easy, folks!" Yeah, right. Meanwhile, the millionaires get the tax cuts.
3
Anyone who has visited Europe more than once comes to understand the the US is quickly becoming a second world nation in comparison. Sure, we have a powerful economy and military, but that does not translate into quality of life and relative freedom for citizens.
12
Free education has a tendency to create lifelong students that rarely contribute meaningfully to GDP.
Birth rates are lower in Europe than the US which dispels the myth about parental leave playing a significant role.
Socioeconomic status in the US is inversely related to childbirth rates. Wealthier female citizens have substantially fewer children.
Europe does a better job of protecting the food supply from carcinogenic additives, but has much looser requirements for enrolling patients in clinical trials.
Europe would get leveled by Russia and/or China in a war as they have lost all grit and strategic advantage.
Struggles make people stronger. If everything is provided for, a vast and irreversible weakness is inevitable.
3
@Texan In Europe only the first degree is free, and only after a tough entrance exam. But the rest, if one wants to keep studying, are very affordable. I know no life long students though.
@Texan What's wrong with "life-long" students? I consider myself one and I think my patients appreciate it: it means I'm up on the latest developments in my field. And I think I contribute a good share to the GDP although I would argue the GDP is only one measure of how successful a country is.
@Texan they pay for everything - even there nothing is free
your party just doesnt give a darn
Europe is old, in a comfortable, upper-middle-class assisted living kind of way. It is beginning to shrink. It is surrounded by Africa and the Middle East, full of poor migrants who want to get in on that comfort, and the Russians, full of poor people with big guns who want a piece as well. If I were a young person in Europe I would worry a great deal about whether my elders are going to drive my nation to bankruptcy with their luxurious assisted living home paid for with my taxes, and whether the continent will survive the influx of all of its hungry neighbors as it ages and shrinks in population. Europe is living in a bubble; it won't last. Ask those in Greece, southern Italy, and Hungary how bright the future looks in Europe. That's where you can see the future of Europe. Ask voters in Spain for their consensus on the future, as they vote for the fourth time in four years, or those in the UK with their Brexit mess.
Yes, the US is a harsher place, but at least we're not living under the delusion that the European system is sustainable in its current form; it is not.
4
@Tom Meadowcroft And what about your $22 trillion bubble?
2
I am a 13th Generation American, 6th Generation Californian, and 1st Generation New Zealand citizen having moved here in 2004
I moved to raise a family where my oldest daughter with special needs could get the care she needs and bring my Silicon Valley business expertise in exchange. The lack of gun control, the militarisation of law enforcement, the rising cost of healthcare without a proportion improvement in quality of healthcare and life, the stagnation on equality (not even approaching any of the other developed nations), and the control of media by essentially four major corporations means it is a country run on a false narrative.
Add 4 banks that control the lending and assets, 10 companies that control food production and when you realise that Citizens United made it limitless spending on buying your representation and one can see the US is truly become an oligarchy both in the public and private sectors. Controlled by a score of CEOs and a couple hundred bought politicians to do their bidding.
These are not the right qualified people to serve the interest of the people, they are the best to serve their shareholders which is largely the top 0.1%
10
I am an American who has lived in Europe for over 30 years. The social services and public transportation are superior in comparison with those in the U.S. The presence of government in one's everyday life is greater in Europe and people tend to rely on the government for help and protection. Most Americans don't want more government in their lives; they want the government they have to be more efficient and effective. If you want European-style services, you need to put up with European-style governments and taxes, and most Americans don't seem too interested in that at the moment.
5
@JD
We all pay more overall in taxes that Europeans, except that the rich do not. As for government interference, go sit in your front yard without any clothes on, and after you post bail, get back to me about your freedom from government interference.
1
"A larger and more diverse population" is the excuse that's always used, but it doesn't hold up. The US is also much wealthier than any European nation and economies of scale should make it easier to provide public services, not harder.
10
@Anthony Flack I agree, but most Americans who are conservative are disgusted at the idea of providing even the most basic humane public service. If you even discussed providing food aid to starving children in public schools. They would insist those children starve before you raise one penny to feed them. Some would say would offer aid on the condition that these children work at the school sweeping and cleaning up after the richer kids. That's literally an argument a former leader of our Congress articulated by the name of Newt Gingrich.
Americans have very divergent views and two Americas have formed. Liberal openminded and kind one that wants to be more like Europe or New Zealand or Australia etc and the one who would like to see poor and sick people in prison for having the audacity for asking for a handout from the state. When you tell them about investing in the people they balk at the idea. Why give public school, health care or food to the poor or provide public roads? That's socialism they say... How would New Zealanders deal with citizens like that?
5
@Xguy2287
" but most Americans who are conservative are disgusted at the idea of providing even the most basic humane public service."
Rubbish! Conservative Americans are more than happy to support the provision of services. All we insist on is ensuring that our hard earned money goes to programs that can be monitored for compliance. As opposed to subsidizing drug users and those who refuse to help themselves.
2
@Xguy2287 - we have plenty of them in New Zealand too, sadly. It's an ideology that is widely promoted by the right-wing media and it's spreading.
It's very annoying to have to sit through this 'cute' video, acted out, with background music and props etc. Instead, treat NYT readers like adults----in this crucial 2020 campaign season.
Run a series of articles and columns, listing the differences between US and other civilized countries.
How do their policies affect people in various walks of life?
Use real people examples with interview of citizens by Times foreign reporters.
Our media must stop avoiding the contrasts of other countries that are also capitalist. Compare the objections in our politics that label as 'left wing radical' what in other democracies is centrist.
Give us citizens' testimony, with concrete examples showing contrast--- on health care, family support, education,etc.
In terms all can understand---without using economics academic lingo--- discuss how they fund their citizen benefits.
What are their tax rates at various income levels? Taxes are the main objection in our politics. Why do their citizens and parties support their tax rates, for their social democracy?
If any EU party pushed the US system of high profits as 1st priority in public services, their citizens would be marching in the streets in various colored vests, until their govt responded to their demands. It's basic respect for citizens that Americans have gotten used to NOT getting from their govt.
We the People lack representation for our taxation --the American credo-- the whole purpose of having a democracy.
16
@Meredith
Excellent!
Europeans enjoy their lives in large part because the United States landed troops at Normandy, and then devised the Marshall Plan, and then created NATO and placed the western part of the continent under our nuclear umbrella.
That young Europeans are not impressed by the US is of absolutely no consequence to those with an understanding of history.
8
And that European understanding of history knows that WW II actually began in 1939. Thanks for showing up!
3
@David H I don't think these young Europeans were unimpressed with the US, just some of its obvious social disadvantages.
Understanding of history does not necessarily preclude criticism or surprise, or require criticism be muted because it ungratefully exposes our belief and fragility in our own untouchable exceptionalism!
[For the record, more non-American troops landed in Normandy than Americans on D-Day (and all three services under Eisenhower had British Commanders) and the non-American Allies also provided most of the ships and aircraft.
NATO was a British idea.
The Marshall Plan was essential not only to help rebuild Europe, but also make sure the dollar did not lose all its value because it had nowhere to go in markets obliterated by war.
No good having all the money in the world if you have no market to spend it in!
The lessons of post-WW1 were learned, but with a hegemonic imperial intention!]
1
@Daisy Pusher
And an American understanding of history knows that WWI actually began in 1914, which makes it twice in a century we had to come over and straighten out European wars we didn't start.
1
Having lived in the EU for quite some time, I find Europe becoming more like the US than the other way around.
Trends in the US tend to come from both coasts to the Midwest and then from there to Europe after some years. I see Europeans as Americans in the 90s or early 2000s in terms of Food, Tech and Fashion. As for Multiculturalism, the EU just hasn't had the immigrant acceptance that the US grew up with. Language? As for Politics, what can I say?
As of today, Britain is still in the EU.
3
As an American living in France, my experience discussing America's place in the world resonates with this video. When Obama was President the general attitude here was congratulations in finally overcoming the USA's history of racism and in a belated expansion of worker's rights. With the election of Trump the response has been disbelief that the working man would vote against his own interests.
My only response to them is that we are subject to the same destructive impulses that gave the German republic to a dictator
9
@Hardeman
What utter nonsense. We have national elections in one year. We have independent judicial and legislative branches. Your comparison is ridiculous.
2
The biggest companies in the world originate in the US, the country with the most billionaires, but also with most poverty among industrialized nations.
In Europe, there are no people living in abject poverty like in the US, no people living in trailers, boats, cars, and homeless camps. The Democrats are as much to blame for the decline of the US, as the Republicans, with each they have share governance equally. My European friends who visit the US, are shocked at the third-world-like
poverty they see in large areas of NYC, Philadelphia, Baltimore and even D.C. New Yorkers who live in luxury buildings and red the Times are largely insulated for all that.
When I moved to NYC and visited some project buildings in Harlem I was shocked at the squalor and poverty I saw even in Manhattan -- something unlike anything I had seen in Europe.
7
I think it's very ignorant and naive to compare the United States (a diverse country) to Europe (a homogeneous continent). I’m an American millennial that has traveled to Europe (mostly western Europe) plenty of times. There are things about Europe that I prefer and things about the United States that I prefer. One major thing that I have noticed about Europeans is that they honestly don’t have the depth, range and lived experience to understand exactly why things are the way they are in the United States. I believe that many of the issues faced in the United States, as well as across the entire Americas, stem from European colonialism and the violent nature of how these countries in the Americas were founded. Europeans love to focus on the “now” and excuse the lasting repercussions that their colonial crusades caused on this side of the world. I’m not making excuses for Americans because many of us don’t understand how our past reflects our present, I’m just being honest.
6
@Robert
Europe is homogenous? Have you been to places like Norway vs Greece vs southern Spain vs Poland?
1
@Left Coast Yes, Europe is homogeneous (you spelled it wrong) compared to the United States. Have you ever even been to the United States? Our country has immigrants from all four of those places that you listed. Read a book and learn proper American history.
1
Does the New York Times plan to ask youth from other areas, such as Asia or Africa, about the U.S.? I'm curious about their perspectives and the approach of asking for a European critique strikes me as Eurocentric.
9
In Europe, NO people are living in abject poverty like in the US, no people are living in trailers, boats, cars, and homeless camps.
The Democrats are as much to blame for the decline of the US as are the Republicans, for both parties have shared governance equally.
My European friends who visit the US are shocked at the third-world-like poverty they see in large areas of NYC, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and even D.C. New Yorkers who live in luxury buildings and red the Times are largely insulated from all that, except when they take the subway.
When I moved to NYC and visited some project buildings in Harlem, I was shocked at the squalor and poverty I saw even in Manhattan -- unlike anything I had seen in Europe.
2
@Idealist Uh, no. I think you need to tour France...
1
I'm 74 and I'm not impressed either.
7
This video could have been a great piece if the editing and music choices weren't so cliché themselves.
5
The Italian guy is simply magnificent looking!
1
can’t policymakers find solutions?... Someone has...
Sanders, Bernie, I think the name is...
6
If Don Trump wins in 2020 it will be because of the attitude reflected in this video and the comments here. His voters cannot stand this attitude of hyper-criticism of the US and their lives. It is the attitude of the editors, columnists, writers, and readers of the Times. There just are not enough of you to win an election. But there are enough of you to drive the citizens of this country who cannot stand your attitude toward the US to vote for Don Trump regardless of his obvious and egregious faults. I realize that few people have much historical memory anymore, but you ought to try to remember what happened in the 1972 election. Yep, history does not repeat itself, but sometimes it comes pretty close.
7
I'm an American expat. I've lived in Italy for a number of years. I think that the vast majority of Americans have absolutely no idea of what the real world is like. 80% don't have passports, so most of their perceptions of the world are from watching the rubbish they see on U.S. TV rather than actually visiting a foreign country. Even here in Italy, most of my family and colleagues have visited the U.S. and many other countries. Most speak several languages. They all hold a fondness for the U.S. but none is in a hurry to turn in their passport to become American. Many of my colleagues who have done work assignments in the States enjoy some aspects of American life, but find it culturally empty. They can't wait to get back home (for a decent meal!).
27
@mrfreeze6 - You mention that 80% of U.S. citizens don't have passports - maybe they find the cost of international travel to be cost-prohibitive?
It's great that you had the opportunity to travel abroad, but it IS an opportunity, and not the accomplishment your comment seems to try to describe it as.
14
@Really, It doesn't surprise me that you would have such a perspective. The U.S. is a large place and most Americans might think it's sufficient to stay home. Fair enough. But my point is, Americans sure have a tendency to judge other countries (Europe in particular) without ever having left their own country. They then have the audacity to make all sorts of claims about Europe (or the world) without 1st hand knowledge.
8
@mrfreeze6
"I think that the vast majority of Americans have absolutely no idea of what the real world is like."
The "real world"? LOL. You mean "your real world" perhaps.
2
I know everyone thinks universal health care is great, but I know a woman in the UK who needed a hip replacement. There was a 5 year waiting list for the surgery. She ended up going to Lithuania for the surgery. Also, I've read the same in Canada where there are long waits for various tests and surgeries. I don't think most Americans would put up with that!!! Yes, we have problems here in the USA, but so do other countries.
4
@Jean
Your post presupposes that most Americans have access to such procedures at all. I do not understand this to be the case.
5
@Jean Many American don't even have the CHOICE to put up with that. They merely suffer or die when they don't have any health insurance.
While a hip replacement can help alleviate pain and improve function, it is normally an ELECTIVE procedure, i.e. you can wait on it a bit. In contrast, some Americans can't even get EMERGENCY medications or procedures: they just die.
BTW, I have family members how live abroad. While the system abroad is not perfect, it is much better than here in the US. 50% of bankruptcies are due to medical reasons: I see this in my work as a doctor.
2
I am Canadian and the one thing that still puzzles me about the United States is the gun culture. I just don’t understand how it’s possible to have so many firearms circulation in a country that is a democratic republic and not a failed, lawless state.
On the other hand, American artists have created some of the greatest music and literature in the world.
5
I'm an American living in the UK.
I see loads and loads of comments by Americans running the country down and comparing us unfavourably to Europe. I assume most of these American have never lived over here.
Never experienced the terrible National Health Service. So frustrating to deal with that we actually PAY for private health insurance.
Never experienced paying 45% income taxes.
Never experienced living in a country where innovation might as well be a foreign word.
Trains that show up late or simply aren't running.
And this isn't Italy or Greece I'm living in! Is't the United Kingdom!
4
@John
It could of course be, that the UK is not the best choice if you want to live in Europe. My American neighbor (and his French wife) are very happy here.
6
@John
“And this isn't Italy or Greece I'm living in! Is't (sic) the United Kingdom!” The U.K. part may be your problem.
3
@John
The UK is much poorer place than most Americans know. If the UK were ranked among US states for median income it would be ahead of only three US states, Arkansas, West Virginia and Mississippi
https://mises.org/wire/these-us-states-have-higher-incomes-nearly-every-european-country
1
Why is an inference always drawn on both side of the political spectrum that large and diverse populations cannot help take care of each other to meet basic needs? Ontario, right on our doorstep, is incredibly diverse and has a larger population than all but a few of the biggest states. The Provincial government delivers top-notch healthcare to all its many diverse citizens.
The fact is that the US is not like its English-speaking counterparts or Europe because of a dysfunctional highly fundamentalist religious culture that embraces toxic Republican policies, regardless of the harm they wreak on the majority of Americans.
17
It is interesting one of the things that shocked these Europeans is "unregulated presence of chemicals in our food." It is odd that we have yet connected what we intake as nutrition to our health and its relation to the runaway cost of health care aka "disease management", where the medical big-pharma industrial complex try to extract every penny from a sick individual all under the guise of the Hippocratic oath. Hence, Universal Health Care works in Europe because the advantage of old-world food traditions and heritage that is embedded within the culture; United States, on the other-hand, chose profits and quantity over quality. Individuals, in this country, therefore, has to get wiser and stop drinking the kool-aid (literally) and take responsibility for their health before we are ready for Universal Health Care; or else it will be a highway full of bad drivers getting into accidents.
8
This shouldn't surprise anyone who has traveled to Europe and bothered to get out of the tour bus.
Unfortunately, many Americans still have the history book image of Europe as that bombed out, depressed region that we rescued during World War II.
Guess what? Europe rebuilt itself into a first-rate economic power while establishing social support for its citizens. Young Europeans can't believe how far behind we are because, frankly, it's true and they have known these social supports for all of their lives.
BTW, rather than kissing up to Russia (with an economy smaller than Italy's), we should be remodeling US health care. That's just a start.
18
@PJD
Yeah we're so far behind their 1% growth rates, and a European company hasn't done a thing in decades.
1
The United States is devolving because of the tireless work of billionaires and the Republican Party that believes in handouts to the rich while meddling in private lives of ordinary citizens.
30
I have lived in Spain a long time and over the years as family have visited I’ve tried to show them the societal advantages of the European model of what is basically what I call social democracy. To be sure not everything is perfect but overall the average quality of life including basic access to stress-free government services is available to most people. But it seems that even seeing it for themselves is not quite sufficient to overcome the almost religious belief that the U.S. is “exceptional”, “the greatest country in the world, ever”, etc. Imagine those in the States who have little knowledge of what Europe is like. They fall victim to propaganda that there is no free market, no free speech, religious freedom is threatened, everyone is on the dole and nobody works, etc. The brainwashing is deep for many. Thanks to those who came up with these interviews as it should give Americans a view of where things stand, all too lacking in reporting by the American media.
10
They avoid spending funds on their own national defense and ask us to defend them. And complain about us if we do not. Not a viable path forward for us if we want European social benefits.
7
@david It is not just the dollars we spend on Europe's defense. It is the lives that American soldiers give for that defense. It is not Europeans who are dying.
5
At which point did those people complain about military budgets? Btw: The military is (to be honest) not a topic of interest for most young europeans. Wars seem to be far away, our army and veterans are not glorified and patriotism is small compared to the US.
2
Europe is not a nation, David
2
I'm living in Spain, as a dual US/Citizen, and most people I know here are living on less than 2000Euros a month-about 1800$. Yet, their quality of life seems much better than most NYers I know, who earn far more. Why?
Better/cheaper health care, far better infrastructure,
work far less hours, all seem to have country houses, more time off, much safer streets, almost no guns in private hands, etc. I could go on. Watching the news of the US, I always find myself observing objectively, 'what a savage country'.
36
I agree that Americans are woefully ignorant of the rest of the world, but doesn't this video show that Europeans are really no better? These are obviously educated young people, yet they didn't seem to know basic things about the US. My European cousins certainly know about US health care, our higher education system, issues like racism, gun culture and police brutality. These people's absolute shock at what they learned in the video didn't say much for their worldliness either.
On another note, one of my super far left colleagues was hoping for a Trump win in 2016. "Only then," he repeated daily, "Will we hit rock bottom and start to move the country in the right direction." Let's hope he was right. Nov 2020 can't come soon enough.
4
When I tell my European relatives I pay $12,000 a year in real estate taxes they laugh at my face.Also true that they pay $6 a gallon for gasoline
4
@Marcus
I would take the gas bill over the property taxes any day.
1
Mark Twain was right: "“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.” Americans are too insulated from the rest of the world.
15
Europeans (and those from other nations) see Americans as they are. Americans see themselves as they would like to be.
8
@Francis
No Americans see themselves as they think they are, big difference!
3
That the US is a big country is a fact. That it is more diverse than European countries is a demonstrably unfactual, offensive, self delusional and damaging myth that Americans tell themselves to excuse any social and economic policy that might benefit "those people".
12
@Andy sorry your going to need to demonstrate that..
Europe is much more homogenous ethnically than America...
There is no American regional equivalent of Scandinavia.
Hispanics will make up a majority of American population in like 10 years..
3
@Garrett factually incorrect. Diversity isn't just looking around and seeing how many black and brown people are standing around you.
I didn't bother to leave a link because I'm tired of teaching Americans what facts are. Look up a statistic yourself. Start with oecd non national residents and you'll find the US is on the low end.
Regards.
1
@Garrett
This comment is a caricature of US view of diversity as visible minorities. Or "ethnic" as Americans say while my stomach turns.
1
We are not impressed either.
Vote Republican because the 15th Century wasn't that bad.
2
Congratulations to Mr. Reagan, you're victorious and your legacy lives on!
3
May be thats what Trump meant when he said Make America Great Again - low cost awesome education, low cost healthcare, sensible gun control, empowered scientific community to do research on critical topics like climate change, powerful neutral agencies like FDA, EPA, SEC etc ... oh wait ... these are all the things Republicans and Trump administration are actually against and actively destroying whatever is left. Make American Great Again ... how exactly, what exactly ?
10
@AHunt
He meant "Great Again" when the patriarchal society we have lived in and tried to improve upon, will sit quite while our supreme white males, rule the country! That is "GREAT" And when any one of them can grab women by the P's and not face any consequences, that is what he meant. Go back to a time when women and blacks did not have the right to vote and god forbid much worse. That is what he meant, let's not kid each other.
The real story is not that Europeans are shocked to learn that American Exceptionalism is a myth. The real story is that the American Exceptionalism myth is what is holding us back, actually pushing us backwards. We are too arrogant, too sure of our superiority, to recognize how systems in other countries work better to provide for all citizens. We refuse to acknowledge, much less learn from, our mistakes or other countries' successes. The myth also saps our compassion for Americans who fail to achieve the wealth that we seem to value above all things. Until we dispel that myth, we will be doomed to move forever backwards.
24
Forty years ago, all the young Europeans I met wanted to travel in the U.S. Flash forward to Trump’s America and all the young people I meet in France or elsewhere want in travel in Australia, New Zealand or Canada, but not in America, particularly as they’ve heard too many stories about the hassles and general unfriendliness when travelers go through the sometimes confusing procedures at US Immigration. I don’t blame them for preferring to go elsewhere.
21
@Susan Whenever I get an email or text from a relative in Europe saying "hey, I'm coming to New York!" my reply to them is WHY??
1
@Susan oh ya our immigration is SO confusing. Susan u people would complain about anything
@Susan
US immigration officers can indeed be arrogant and unfriendly, some are almost like a machine. But I encountered almost friendly officers in Seattle and Boston. But Miami, avoid if you can.
I must admit, I wasn't startled nor uncomfortable with the editorial. We like our steadfast individualism and can do spirit. What troubled me was the fact that our infrastructure was so out of date and in need of repair. For all of Europe's high taxes, they seem to know where and when to fix their stuff.
4
The roads in Italy are better than the US. think on that for a moment.
2
@Stephen
Better than California's roads, yes. Democrat politicians there have put California on a road diet - they think if they don't repair old roads or build new ones people will be forced to take public transit
https://www.ocregister.com/2016/05/29/a-diet-to-give-california-drivers-indigestion/
Of course, California is so corrupt and incompetent PG&E can't even keep the lights on.
1
Now, please do one of these videos about Americans' views of Europeans. Maybe contrast the views of younger and older Americans.
The reason I am suggesting this is because awhile ago, some person wrote an letter to the editor of our local newspaper in Logan, UT outraged that we in America do not want to be like Europe with government health care and a nanny state.
We need to get to the bottom of why some poor old man with no teeth does not want the government paying for people's health and dental care (this was in a NYT article last week). Note: Medicare does not cover what lots of older people need such as dental, eyeglasses, or hearing aids--so Medicare for all is no panacea either.
My guess is there would be starkly different views of Americans about Europe--those seeing Europe as so much better at taking care of its people versus those who detest Europe's attitude that health care is a right not a privilege (at the root of which may be hating to pay taxes to make other people and small children's lives healthier and better).
7
@PB
Review the Medicare-for-all proposals by Warren and Sanders, and you’ll find that it’s more than providing healthcare coverage for all but, also, expanding Medicare to include vision, dental, and hearing benefits.
However, I do agree that far too many Americans are reluctant to support programs that benefit those they consider “Others.” That’s been true for as long as there’s been racism and misogyny in the USA — the roots of this reluctance that’s been evident “forever” in the USA.
8
"It’s true that the United States grapples with a larger and more diverse population than that of any European country. "
I fail to see the relevance of this statement. All American citizens are humans, are they not? Just like Europeans or Canadians or Australians? What difference does a person's skin colour or food preferences or faith make to issues like access to health care, funding education properly or worrying about being shot down during a trip to Walmart?
11
@Norman Dupuis : Right-wingers like to use America's ethnic diversity as an excuse for a flimsy social safety net.
But what are they really saying?
That other racial and ethnic groups are lesser humans and not worthy of a dignified life?
That other racial and ethnic groups are naturally immoral and will cheat their way into undeserved benefits?
2
As an American living in Europe, it's a shame there's not more reporting like this. Even liberals are generally misinformed. Free university, for example. Americans think they just make the government foot the bill for public universities that charge $40K. Nope. In France, the government spends only $13,000 per student, and tuition remains $300. Most US states already pay that amount, plus grants directly to students. California, for example, spends $12K and then awards another $12K to those receiving a Cal Grant, and that still only covers half of what students are going to pay!! So, you really have to dig into the numbers. Here's hoping the Times does it more often!
25
Yep! European universities do not have ritzy dorms with lazy river swimming pools. The US haS lost IT’s way...our priorities are so screwed up!
5
Europe quietly leads the world consistently over the decades by implementing best practice in everything. They make the rest of us look backward, including Australia.
They already had best practice healthcare and education and policing- that's old news, now they're working on controlling the tech giants, leading in climate action, action on plastics, you name it Europe leads the way in best practice to solve all our problems, and all we have to do is follow their lead, if only we would.
26
Here is an tech senior managers view.
If you're serious about a career in engineering, don't waste your time in Europe. A senior engineer in Sweden makes 450k SEK or 50k USD. A senior engineer in the bay can make 300 to 450k USD. London, Frankfurt, all a waste of time. The advancement and paydays are in Seattle and San Fran.
All those nice cradle-to-grave benefits come with costs elsewhere. When is the last time a Google, Apple, Facebook or Amazon came out of Europe? Or any real game-changing advancement? It comes out of the US most of the time, or China.
Europe is nice to live in when you have a homogeneous population all chipping in for the social good. However, free enterprise (and our economy) will always do better in America.
9
@Scott Agree. I work in medical research and pharma. The US dominates at every level of innovation. It's only at the multinational level that the Europeans are competitive and this is achieved by continuously buying US companies.
5
@Scott I happen to work for a high-tech manufacturing company in Italy. It's highly capitalistic and thrives in what you (incorrectly) characterize as a non-competitive environment. Perhaps you should widen your perspective past what engineers make. By the way, I work with a lot of engineers who could make much more in Switzerland or Germany, but choose to live here because there are things far more important than the size of one's wallet.
20
Depends how you feel about people going homeless from a medical event or working four jobs on top of taking care of their special needs child. Ask people whether health or wealth is more important.
11
Of course they're not impressed. I'm in Europe every 3 months, so I could have told you that! Europeans haven't been impressed with the US since Bush Jr. No news. When my younger European relatives ask me about living in New York (they are impressed with our city when they come here) I advise them to stay home and just come here for vacation. Not worth their time.
14
The story of our country is a government of the corporation, for the corporation, and by the corporation. This government does not care which people perish or that the environment, itself, perish. Our government seems to care only of the immediacy of the corporate need right now. This can be easily witnessed by the last powdered sugar tax break, that didn't do a thing but buy back more stocks for corporates , who transferred it to the top brass as quick as the checks could be written, and all on the public credit card.
9
I live in the UK now, and have for a couple of years. Yes, there are many things they find appalling about the U.S. (guns, violence, Trump, the vast military, the health care system, the environmental record, etc.).
But they're all listening to American music and consuming American entertainment. Many wonder why I moved to London from the States. Many dream about going there, soaking up the culture, seeing the sights, driving for days and days without running into another country.
America is easy to hate because it's so big, rich and powerful. It's also easy to admire, and even envy, when nobody is looking or listening.
16
WE JUST DON'T GET IT. I watched our President praise the death of an evil man and his children. I watched a Secretary of Defense and a General tout the killing of this evil man and then continuously praise our brave soldiers who are all heroes. I served in Vietnam but never thought I was a hero and the government didn't try to sale us as a wonderful warrior class. Now I read that the Europeans don't think we are so great. I can't image why. We send our young to possibly die in foreign wars that never seem to be won or even end. I watch China that focuses on their own home front move from a third world country to having an economy that may soon surpass our economy. They get to watch us spend our national treasure and future on endless wars. Neither the Democrats or the Republican serve the interest of the average citizens of the USA. I know that I'm not the only one who sees this. Even the pundits of the New York Times should step back and realize a little isolation might not be so bad. If we had stayed out of Vietnam we wouldn't have been fighting communist in California. Same for the people of the Middle East. All we are doing is making more and more people hate the USA. Why not stop the war machine madness and concentrate on problems here in the USA. Also, we have a great challenge in global warming and figuring out how to leave a world for our children. Neither the Democrats or Republicans are serving the real interest of the American people. Time for something new.
8
I have lived on four continents and the United States was the gold standard on how countries should be, however immigration from third world countries where people have no education placed a heavy burden on our few social services. This effected our own poor and middle class, I lived in Los Angeles in 1979 and 1999 and saw how illegal immigration completely overwhelmed its own public hospital systems which were the crown jewels of the US. Before in 1980 you could get into the state universities with no problem and they were inexpensive, now they are overcrowded with so called dreamers. No country which allows uncontrolled immigration can maintain its quality of life. I lived in many countries every place has its positive points and negative points, we need to invest massively in infrastructure , reduce military spending, and make medical care affordable, we have too many problems to keep being the police officers of the world.
8
@Eddy
I'll just point out one of the many incorrect things in your post: total number of dreamers in the US is around 1 million. Total number of college students is around 20 million. It is a blatant lie to claim that universities are "overcrowded with dreamers."
As for why education was so much cheaper in the 80s--look up tax rates and rates of government funding to universities then and now, there is your answer and it has nothing to do with immigrants. (P.S. I'm an immigrant from a poor country and i work for NASA. Eat your little heart out!)
10
@UA Good for you , Im the son of immigrants from a rich country but we didnt live off hand outs , it may be right that government funding was reduced , but the increase in tuition is more related to greed. And by the why my observations arent incorrect I was in the hospital in Los Angeles and saw the conditions there , maybe we should send the bill to those countries , I have lived also in South America and I paid for my health care and for my visa.
As a person who has lived on both sides of the pond, I find these type of videos more about sensationalism than facts. For example, most Europeans don't know that all US seniors are covered by Medicare and the very poor are covered by Medicaid. With regard to education, MIT is hardly on par with the average European university - a better example would be the in-state tuition at Boston University, etc. Also try to talking to these young people on the average US salaries and take home pay when they start working after university....
5
@Pat Boston university is not a state school and is about $54,720 per year for tuition and if you add other fees it's about $72,052 per year. Salaries are lower in most European countries but the quality of life is a lot better for most. Americans are over worked and go bankrupt from medical bills. Then there is the gun fetish.
17
@Jeff Thanks for the correction. Ok look at Rutgers in-state tuition. $12,230. UK universities can charge up to £9,250 per year . Roughly the same.
The cost of housing in Europe is very high. Everything especially driving is turbo taxed. I love Ireland, but sometimes I definitely wish I was in the USA.
3
@Pat
To be comparable, the student loans service should be deducted from the take home pay.
Americans would be unwilling to pay the kind of taxes that most Europeans pay to support their generous social programs in education, health care and the like. Sad but true.
8
@debuci - Americans are too propagandized to understand that we're paying more out of pockets for services Europeans take for granted and willingly pay taxes for, leaving them with more disposable income than most Americans have, plus a lot more security.
8
The perception that Americans are hospitable applies to Europeans (tourists, students, business travelers). Sadly, we'd have a much different reply if we asked this same question to a group of a different origin...
2
Yes, the whole idea of American exceptionalism. It was drilled into our heads by our schooling at a young age during the 50’s and 60’s and still done to some extent, even to this very day. All the major inventions to humankind were invented by an American. That everyone the world over wanted to be an American and that we were taught that we’re very, very lucky to be born in America.
1
@SW As a person that works in Medical research, I'm astounded on how much more successful the Americans are in new drug innovation. The Europeans have great healthcare research, but the Americans continue to dominate innovation. America has a lot going for it still.
4
@Pat
But does that address those who cannot afford basic health care?
1
We need a Pro democracy movement in the USA.
Having a president chosen by republican partisans in the electoral college doesn't work for anyone but republicans.
The same with their gerrymandering, used to overrule the majority.
By the way. Mrs Clinton won the election by 3,000,000 ballots.
A line of 3,000,000 people is over a thousand miles long.
Yet the rejected loser, the disgrace, is occupying our oval office.
7
@Getreal - As bad as the EC is, the US system that locks in 2 senators per state, regardless of population, is as consequential. If CA had the same level of senatorial representation as WY, for example, CA would have over 100 senators.
5
@MegWright That's just not how our system works. The House represents the people, and so California has a whopping 53 congressmen (or 12% of the House). The Senate provides the states with equal representation. Otherwise some states would barely be represented in our federal government.
2
It is not just young Europeans that are not impressed with America.
Any sentient, observant, objective American should feel the same way to be honest.
For all the bravado and chest thumping Americans are prone to do about America being the greatest nation in the world.. the fact is.. we are a nation in decline... and as with all nations in decline over history... it will not end well, and will be slow and painful for all but the elite 1%.
Note: I fall into the 1% category.. and I am appauled at how willingly my demographic, and elected officials (who are owned by the 1%), are willing to just let fellow Americans suffer and be denied access to basic health and well being... yet have no problems spending a half a trillion dollars a year on the military AND another half a trillion on a different set of books for overseas wars. It's sickening.
32
Our middle class pays a much lower overall tax rate than in Europe.
They can afford their "social protections" in large part because our military polices their continent and the rest of the world, so they don't have to devote significant resources to defense.
7
@Jeremy - True, but not the whole story. They can also afford to pay the taxes for all those social services provided free at point of service, or at very low cost, BECAUSE unlike Americans, they don't have to pay a fortune for those services out of pocket. That's how they end up with more disposable income than most Americans, and a score a lot higher on happiness and quality of life indexes.
12
@Jeremy Fine, so maybe we could learn a lesson. Transfer that money from the military to our social needs. However, you know and I know that won't happen. Because it's not about policing the world, it's about using military power to throw our weight around. The beneficiaries are not you and me, they are the large corporations that are now considered as persons who are allowed to vote with their money. You and I can only vote with our fingers, at our voting booth.
As a European with dual citizenship, EU and USA, I have thought long and hard about these issues. I believe the reason why Americans have these great problems is that big diversity and moral relativism has led to the end of a civic spirit that comes from having a religious and ethnic community with a long history where there are bonds and people care about each other. The accent in the US is put on the individual, and more recently, on each tribe and interest group, never on the general interest. The end of the traditional family triggered by moral relativism increased the lack of cohesion and community.
Perhaps the biggest American paradox is that for all the focus on the individual, at the expense of the general interest, after I had moved to the States I felt obliterated as an individual, a negligible particle unable to influence anything because of the HUGE economic inequalities. In Europe, I felt I mattered more as an individual, we were all in it together, and the family and community provided a big support system.
32
@Idealist
And yet, it was European nations that pioneered same-sex marriage equality, i.e. what you call "moral relativism" and "the end of the traditional family". Decades before the US did. How come you haven't seen any negative effects from that there? Could it be that actually there aren't any?
3
@UA I agree with you that American systems are pretty messed (healthcare, education, etc.) and that Europe's social structures are far more sensible in humane. However, Europe has been at war for most of its modern history. Within countries there has been horrible ethnic violence and genocide against minorities and even majority groups, nevermind land grabs and culture clashes between countries. Mutual affection?
Don't care.
There are a lot of aspects of European policies I don't care about either. They have to live with them. I don't.
7
I studied in Europe for three years. It was the mid-1970s. In 1975, at the fall of Saigon, Europeans had a better opinion of America than they do now. And sorry: this opinion preceded the Trump era, though it's worse at present. At one time, the U.S. was their idea of the modern country. Today it's viewed as somewhat backward and, at times, hopelessly retrograde -- from awful infrastructure to easy high school requirements (with low standards) to unsightly poverty, ill health, and a declining life expectancy. Oddly enough, most Europeans do like us Americans a lot. However, they'll never understand the poor diet of many Americans. So many of us eat very little each day that is wholesome or nutritious.
6
@Mason
A lot has changed since the 70s, growth at all costs is no longer the panacea, hence the American Dream with its promise of a better tomorrow as long as one works to increase its wealth doesn't appeal as much.
Yes, there are so many lessons to be learned from the social mores in Europe, all mentioned in this presentation and the comments. Our congress and any politicians might join the business leaders of this country to learn something from the European countries to assure this country of better health and welfare in general. All of the points have been stated. We are not an example for anyone these days as greed rules everything in our hyper-capitalistic country. We are better than this.
3
Problem is our politicians are not listening, their ears and eyes are turned toward their big political campaign contributors. Even if we march in huge numbers and protest, they will not hear us.
4
What American Dream? The one that holds working-class Americans hostage for healthcare? The one that says we should put work before anything else until the day we die? The one that makes us feel guilty if we don't spend a third of our lives making some rich guy richer? His American Dream is our nightmare. I'm surprised we don't riot more too.
33
Considering how many videos one can find on the internet claiming life is better in Europe than the US, one has to wonder why it is that Europeans still migrate to the US but not the other way around. Frankly, these "pro-Europe" videos strike me as signs of insecurity rather than confidence.
7
@James Grosser Don't be so sure about that. There are US students and young adults who are planning to move to Canada or to Europe.
Europe is not perfect but life there doesn't have the same dog-eat-dog mentality of the US.
My family immigrated 4 decades ago to the US from Asia and we will always be grateful to the US for taking us in. We have paid back via federal service. However, even my parents today -- having visited Europe many times and talking with friends who have lived there for decades -- believe living in Europe today as an average citizen is better than living in the US.
9
@James Grosser
I'd move to Europe (or Canada) in a heartbeat, but at my age and in my field, it'd be hard to find comparable work and secure residency. I've considered emigrating to some of the countries with easier residency requirements once I retire, but the lack of a family network there is a significant obstacle. I only wish I'd known that I could have gone to college there (for a fraction of what I paid in the US) years ago. It would have given me a footing to help me start a career there, build a network and eventually naturalize. If only I knew then, what I know now...
5
@James Grosser
If true, maybe that too says something about Americans. Europeans are smarter about the rest of the world and more willing to take risks. Americans sit around in MAGA hats blaming others for their woes.
3
I've spent a significant amount of time throughout nearly all of Europe during the past 41 years (literally from Moscow to Iceland and from northern Finland to Crete), including much of eastern Europe during the latter part of the Cold War era. I also have many long-term friends in various European countries (particularly in Germany). Plus, I speak several languages and therefore I've had many substantive conversations with people in various locales. I mention all of that as a preface to saying I've encountered a huge number of people in many European countries and during quite a lengthy period of time.
The general consensus is that the U.S. has lost its way, and I certainly agree. On the one hand, many Europeans think our (American) options are significant - but on the other hand, they no longer feel our options are worthwhile when considering the increasingly-negative factors here.
I'd like to add a personal insight that clouds my enthusiasm for certain European countries, and that is: be careful what you wish for. I'm specifically referring to national healthcare systems, as we had a horrendous experience in Paris about 15 years ago when my husband nearly died because the ED staff at a prominent teaching hospital failed to provide even the most *basic* medical care.
There are many serious issues I'd like to rectify in the U.S., but much of Europe has its own serious problems....
11
@Susan L.
"I'm specifically referring to national healthcare systems, as we had a horrendous experience in Paris about 15 years ago when my husband nearly died because the ED staff at a prominent teaching hospital failed to provide even the most *basic* medical care."
Happens here all the time. The difference is, here, you'll still be stuck with a six-figure bill for their incompetence and will also bear the brunt of any increased medical expenses for the rest of your life after your health insurance declines to cover you for a pre-existing condition.
12
@Susan L. - Whatever your individual experience in France, France's health care is rated number one in the world.
3
A relative of mine came from Europe to care for another relative post-stroke. She was so disillusioned with the poor quality of care (in Brooklyn and Queens), that she transported him back to Southeastern Europe.
5
My goodness, a young male in this video sat with a pink-clad baby doll. How often have I seen a young American male holding close a pink-clad baby doll? Never. That says it all. Whatever the differences between our cultures, vast as they are, certain intrinsic qualities will remain. Our government doesn't need to provide those European-type services for us because we are tough and can provide for ourselves.
3
@blgreenie You don't get out much do you? In the USA?
What you say you never see in the USA can be seen anywhere in the USA....................
1
Really ? Are you serious?
1
@blgreenie Americans tough?! They're the first ones crying bloody murder if homes don't have 24/7 AC. On the contrary, in Europe Americans are seen as big (and I mean BIG) spoiled babies.
1
As a German I was surprised how bad public transportation is in the US. I am wondering why College and Universities are so expensive while in many European countries you have to pay a three digit amount as a fee for 6 month on a good and well equipped university. I also notice the segregation in the US. But we have enough racists and Trump-like politicians as well.
Americans have very different roots and you are more or less united. That is what is missing in the European Union. Diversity and some sort of unity is your strength and source of inspiration.
4
@Barry - I think the US is less united now than at any time since the Civil War. You have only to read comments on any message board to see that half the country tends to think of the other half as the enemy, or as "evil."
2
@Barry
The Koch's and the republicans do not believe in public expenditure on infrastructure.
3
@Barry
We’re not so unified any more, Barry.
When I was 24, I spent some time traveling in New Zealand. I ended up having a minor medical emergency and visited the emergency room at a hospital.
Because I was not a NZ citizen, they charged me $50 NZD.
I also had to pay for my prescriptions, though they were remarkably affordable.
After that incident I was in NZ for another four months, and I recall having a sense of ease. I knew that if I had a medical issue again, I would be okay. NZ would help me.
I have never had that feeling in the US. Even with great health insurance, I shudder at the thought of having a medical emergency.
Also, a couple weeks ago I was in Mexico. I stocked up on about a year's worth of asthma medication for about $175 cash. That same amount with my insurance here is $900.
15
@Jeffrey - My friend was diagnosed with breast cancer about ten years ago while living and working in Slovenia. As a non-citizen, she had to pay out of pocket. Her total cost for cancer surgery plus several weeks of radiation: $450. Not a typo. She's still cancer-free.
When I visited there and talked about healthcare with some of her friends, I asked them to guess the cost of my husband's recent hip replacement. They talked it over, came up with the highest cost they could imagine, and then increased it again. Their guess: $7000. They were overwhelmed when I told them it cost $70,000.
7
@Jeffrey : I have been lucky in not suffering any serious illnesses in my travels, but I know plenty of people who have received excellent medical care while traveling in foreign countries (many of them in Latin America or Asia) and been charged little or nothing.
2
During a long solo European trip, following the death of my dear husband of nearly 52 years (prompted by a memorial reunion of his family in Spain), I did all my traveling by train.
Among the people I met on the train were a female politician (Member of the Danish Parliament), a Judge in the European Court, and a senior Official in a European railway.
How likely is it that such people would even be riding a train in the US? How likely is it that such individuals would have an hour or two to talk with a stranger, a fellow traveler?
I will never forget my extended deep conversations with these people! Two of them shared personal details about their lives. I felt like I was leaving dear friends when we said goodbye, and we never even exchanged names, so earnestly were we deep in conversation.
The train official, the third person, shocked me with a simple question: “Why does the US not electrify their trains?” I fell back on the poor state of all our infrastructure. But what shocked me is that I had never realized all those trains I was taking were not polluting the environment, because they run on electricity. And ours are almost all based on some type of petroleum.
Take a trip. Even a solo trip. Especially on European trains, where there’s comfort and leisure and no pollution. One of the many reasons I wish I lived here. Who knows?
44
@TheraP Oh, brother. 1. Joe Biden was famous for commuting to DC from Delaware on the train. 2. Amtrak trains in the NE corridor are electric. 3. Electric trains produce pollution (where do you think the electricity comes from? burning fossil fuels, mostly). Clearly, train travel in the US is not as good as many or even most places, but there's no need to misrepresent the nature of train travel.
2
@James Grosser
Try taking the Amtrak train from Chicago to DC and back. I’ve done it twice. The last I was probably 7 years ago. And Ill never do it again, as it just gets worse and worse! it’s filthy. Even the waiting rooms are filthy. And the food is terrible.
I would never recommend to any European that they travel all over the US by rail.
I would gladly travel here by rail, if we had convenient, clean trains that met basic safety standards. Even on the east coast they keep delaying implementing safety standards, which were legally mandated to be done years and years ago.
Joe Biden likely has not ridden the trains regularly for well over a decade.
5
Anyone who has lived outside of the US, or even visited frequently, knows that there are many aspects of life in Europe that are substantially better, including health care, education, crime rates and gun violence, public transportation.
32
There was a saying in Britain, that there are two kinds of Brits,
the ones who travel and the ones who don´t .
That should also apply to the US Congress where sometime ago
politicians were proud that they had never left the US.
Remember Trump embarrassing Jeb Bush for speaking Spanish !!!!!
7
Considering the wholesale slaughter that occurred on their continent over the past 100+ years, Euros have exactly nothing to teach us about gun violence or politics.
The only reason they are what they are today is because crudities like the United States (and others like Canada) imposed and enforced peace on them for decades.
8
@EGD Sure I guess we make other people in other countries do the dying for US with our perennial and mostly unnecessary wars.
3
Crudites ?
Despite the cultural chauvinism and the malign influence of the Orthodox Church, quality of life is better here in Georgia (the country) than it is in the US. That said, I don't need self-righteous twenty-somethings from the UK telling me how disgusted they are with life in the US and how much better life is in the UK. Glass houses and such...
7
Love that droll German guy " In Germany we don't wave flags".
We could do with a bit less Nationalism here. If only the ideals of democracy and the rule of law were more important than weepy displays of fetishized loyalty to a flag, the military, or a President who demands it.
9
After reading this article, let me remind 'Europe' that world wars (2) are bad things. So is fascism (Franco , Mussolini, Hitler, Stalin).
Anti-semitism and terrorism are bad too. Ditto for Neo-Nazism and skinheads. So are castes. How do the Gypsies and immigrants fair? Brexit is unabashed nationalism. Northern Ireland is calm or is it? What's with the chronic stabbings? Thank you.
7
I look at the US and I see a country where one person can shoot a person dead and not face any legal consequences. Google "Castle doctrine" and "stand your ground "
And you feel smug, and seriously call yourself a democracy?
3
@Andy That isn't a national law, but a state one. It's intent is to prevent the circumstance of some big young guy beating you and you not allowed to do anything but swing back.
Europeans migrated to this country in the millions to escape the inequities found in Europe. Things like fair trials and freedom of religion are but a few. Google 'genocide' and 'inquisition'. Seems to be unknown here, but not in Europe. But this is silly. We equally need improvement and we are both getting there too slowly.
1
@A. Reader
Nobody needs an explanation of the law honestly. National or state?
And if you want to talk about genocide and inquisition you don't have to leave continental US.
Missing the point, much?
1
"in Germany we don't wave flags" lol, pretty sure we know why...
11
Oh, we do wave flags in Germany, for example Bavarian flags at the Oktoberfest.
1
When the video got to the part about guns I had to turn it off.
As an older European I would like to add my trepidations about the food in the USA. Then comes rampant poverty in the "richest country on earth". What is your understanding for rich?Vote for Bernie!
5
I came to believe that America was finished when young and talented Eastern European students and professionals began declining moving to the USA despite job offers there at high tech firms. While of course some still go, the overall consensus has swung to the opinion that while $150k vs 25k sounds great, there’s very little upside if the amount you keep at the end of the year is about the same but meanwhile your partner and kids turn into amorphous, fatty, globally isolated consumer blobs in a “artisanal nachos” cultural nowhere. It is viewed as a place where you can’t teach your children ethics or hard choices because in America the “solution” is always technological (“electric cars” rather than behaviour change— more debt instead of tough decisions) I have heard this view very often now and i suspect that they are on to something.
32
The US is the wealthiest country in the world and has been for years.
The only reason we don't have things like free public higher ed, universal healthcare, etc is b/c we have for years maintained a massively bloated military - endless wars = endless profit - and no money for anything else.
The wars in the middle east . .. 7 trillion and counting -
Imagine what could have been done with the money flushed into the department of defense.
Second, we refuse to tax the rich and the wall street speculators - if we did, we'd have money for all these things
we are a wealth country - we could easily afford all what Europe has.
22
Like AMERICANS care
@NYC Dweller
That pretty much sums America up.
Thank goodness I live in Canada now.
2
We have come to a fork in the road. There are three choices -- fascism, a recipe for war; bankrupt neoliberalism which is a recipe for our ongoing decline; or some form of social democracy, a viable alternative and one to strive for, but one that may not be politically achievable.
6
Totally agree. They have universal healthcare, a minuscule amount of shootings and beautiful mass transit.
5
Scripted video of preselected participants addressing a limited number of issues, all with the aim of portraying the United States in a negative light without any, any in-depth context. That is not a unbiased survey, its propaganda.
5
@johnlo
The truth hurts evidently...and we all know its true.
2
@johnlo
Well, I live here. And the views of the young Europeans is pretty much true. There’s your context.
It's so easy for white supremacy to sneak into our conversations. "It's true that the US grapples with a larger and more diverse population..." What's diversity got to do with it? Every living person needs the social welfare support such as health care and education. Does the fact of diversity suggest the "diverse" people, i.e., people of color, are somehow unworthy of such support? Or perhaps a more accurate reading would be a claim that the fact of diversity raises conflict, in that the "nondiverse" people resent giving support to the diverse people? Isn't that racism, pure and simple? Why let that seep into the conversation as an assumed fact?
6
@Alicia I agree with you. While we are more diverse than European countries, I feel diversity is often used as an excuse to not provide services. In my field - medicine - it's not as though human are so different than 95% of what we do differs depending on nationality, ethnicity, religion, etc. Also, European cities are often quite diverse especially if one travels beyond just the touristy neighborhoods.
There is probably something to the theory though that people are less likely to extend services to people they don't identify as "like them". Several researchers have studied this idea and there is some merit to it. For example, take something like school lunches. Many first world countries have no issue providing free, nutritious lunches for their children (regardless of income) but here in the US, we have people who would lobby against lunches for poor school children if their parents don't pay up on time or don't jump through the hoops to apply. It's partly because the image of who gets free / reduced price lunches is often portrayed as non-white people even though stats show there are more white people as a whole on welfare than people of color.
Being active is supposed to be about being convincing. I think there is much to improve about the United States. But being a self-hating American accomplishes exactly nothing, and makes your point of view extremely unconvincing.
Yes, we need to do better. But flogging ourselves with the negative assessments of Europeans (who have *plenty* to clean up in their own backyards) is only hurting our causes -although it feels really, really good to feel "disgusted" and look down upon everyone around you. That intoxicant is every bit as culpable for the state of our politics as is our opposition.
3
Americans have been sold a bill of goods. The odd thing is that they've sold it to themselves.
7
It is a mystery to me how Europeans can emerge from the twentieth century feeling superior to anyone about anything.
8
@Hunt It's a lot easier to buy the president's line.....we are respected in the world again.
Well, I live here and I'm not impressed... In my early 60's, very disappointed in where we are with women's rights; in 2019, we're still 2nd class citizens, can't even get the Equal Rights amendment passed by 38 states... As for everything else, family leave, domestic violence, gun control (26 CHILDREN killed and nothing done) women's healthcare, equal pay, geez whatever hot button women related issue you can imagine, we're really a 3rd world country...
12
@Louise But have you ACTUALLY lived in a "third-world" country? If not, you have no comparison and the hyperbole is meaningless.
My NYT name is a comic book reference, I am not actually Japanese. My family and I actually came from a developing country, legally immigrated/naturalized since the 1970's, and have not looked back since. The United States has let us flourish on so many levels... of course life has not been perfect, but we are not to the point where are so despondent and furious with the current state of affairs that we would even consider "going back to where we came from." We are afforded economic mobility that would have never been possible in our country of origin. We are also very familiar with life under a dictatorship and martial law, so the constant exaggeration that this country is devolving exponentially and currently at THAT point is simply not true. We know it could be much worse elsewhere, so we are thankful for our citizenship.
FWIW, the term is developing countries, least developed countries, and Global South. Third-world is dated, and quite frankly demeaning.
1
In Australia the two policy areas in the United States I hear Aussies criticise the most are health care and guns. They’re used as a warning whenever there’s some concern that our Medicare system could be weakened or our gun policies relaxed. Most progressives here look more to the Nordic countries for inspiration.
1
How many European governments have over 330 million citizens and counting. How many European governments allow over a million new citizens each year.
How many European countries see it as their responsibility to protect other governments with the might of our military.
How many European governments have the diversity of people that this nation maintains.
How many European governments have the freedoms that we Americans have, including but not limited to, freedom of speech.
We can not be everything to everyone, nor should we.
9
Then make it easy for Americans to trade citizenship. Reality on the ground: it isn’t easy.
Then throw in the unique-with-Eritrea double tax regime the U.S. uses and the exit tax upon renunciation.
Get informed and spare the pithy.
6
Having lived overseas for something like 16 years in Rome, Nairobi, Pretoria, Cairo and Sanaa, I sometimes found it impossible to answer questions about things like our invasion of Iraq, our support of Hosni Mubarak or our one-sided view of the Palestinian issue. Inevitably though, I almost always detected among our critics a certain envy about our freedom, if not outright admiration. I came away with the feeling that our core value was still our most respected asset.
I'm now retired so, with just short visits outside the U.S., I'll not likely find myself in these deep conversations with foreigners again. Which is a good thing because the attacks by our current president on our core values leads me to believe I might not even have that asset to talk about anymore.
As long as we have freedom, the other stuff can, and usually does, happen eventually. That's the way freedom often works. But if we let it go, we're at the mercy of those who mistake freedom for the right to diminish others.
5
"Sometimes it’s useful to get an outside perspective"
So why were only "young" Europeans asked?
5
There is absolutely no country on this Earth that even remotely compares to the USA when it comes to innovation, opportunity, diversity, and (upward) mobility.
11
@Markus - Do some research. The US USED to have more social mobility, but that's no longer true in comparison to EU countries and others. These days, in the US, you're more likely to be stuck in the same socio-economic class you were born into than people born in most other developed countries.
As for innovation, also not so true if measured on a per capita basis. My husband had lifesaving brain surgery pioneered in Belgium, then France, then Canada before making its way belatedly to the US. Just one small example.
4
@Markus I would agree. I'm an immigrant from a third world country and I definitely do not believe I'd have gotten the education, the opportunity and thus the mobility to live the comfortable life I am lucky to live here. I would probably have had a decent job in my home country - with cheaper childcare and help with household chores - but it would've taken me at least some 10 additional years to be on the same level, economically and socially (Not to mention that I'd have had significantly fewer chances of success with any entrepreneurial venture - unlike the US). No country is perfect, and I really love Europe (I've visited about 10 countries and so impressed with them), but America has its own unique system that while flawed, is truly exceptional. I remember reading about a social survey about what a young person expects from their government in Europe versus the US and that truly show the difference between our respective structures. The young in Europe desire a social safety net, and are happy to contribute towards it for the common good. Americans desire individualism. That both systems exist and have thrived is something worth noting (of course NOT overlooking the fact that income inequality, healthcare, education are truly baffling in America given that even some poor countries have really affordable tuition)
"...does not guarantee social protections that citizens in other advanced economies take for granted."
Advanced? How about 'citizens in other economies' and just let it go at that.
Would it have been so hard to include at least a nod to some of the desirable and admired things about America?
I'm not denying any of the problems noted herein. But when you feature toy guys and super-size cokes, but don't discuss family formation and economic dynamism, you are pretty much stacking the deck.
6
After decades of living alternately in France and the US, I agree that French at least are surprised by the lack of basic services here and American insistence on guns and religious influence in politics. But more than anything, the French people I know think most Americans are rather simple and unsophisticated. Their knowledge of the history of their own country is minimal or guided by jingoistic mythology, and their understanding of foreign cultures is even worse. Their views of politics and social relationships are governed by magical thinking of religion or new-age philosophy. And they seem to be mesmerized by ‘freedom’ without ever understanding what real freedom is.
40
@Ockham9 You should not put down the French in the way you have in your post. Bit of a broad brush, no?
2
@Markus Ha! Initially, I thought Ockham was talking about Americans but read his paragraph again and you'll see he's talking about the French seeing Americans as "simple and unsophisticated."
I have to say that the Europeans I know have the same ideas about the average American. I lived with several Europeans across 4 years in international university housing and a common refrain was how often our local and national news only covered the US (except for a small %) whereas European (and Asian) news services tended to cover other countries as well. They also thought the intrusion of religion in our government was nuts.
7
@Markus. Say what? This is how French see us, not my impression of them.
6
It often feels like the USA are a reminder of how far is too far. Just like gun deaths in the USA are the best proof that we do need to keep firearms in check in our countries, american over-the-top behaviour can help us reflect on ourselves.
6
Lots of blame to go around for the state of the USA. Keep in mind that a majority of citizens strongly oppose republican policies, and have for decades. This is reflected in the the 2.9 million more Democratic votes in the last presidential race, but also in House and Senate races. The republicans have benefited from a system that allows two senators for CA and two senators for WY despite a population descrepancy of 37 million. That is not equal representation. Add to that gerrymandering of districts (practiced by both parties) a lobbyist driven government agenda that cycles through former elected officials and their staff, a campaign finance system that allows millions in dark money to enter, and you have the ingredients for the present foul soup.
It's not looking good for the future, and things definitely won't change until Americans come to grip with the fact that we are exactly as we appear and that the origin myths we tell ourselves are exactly that, myths.
12
@Jonathan - Exactly right, yet very few people understand that our political system was designed to be anti-democratic. In 2016, Senate Democrats got 20 million more votes than Senate Republicans, yet Republicans kept the majority. That same year, House Democrats got 3 million more votes than House Republicans, yet Republicans kept a 23 seat majority (thanks to gerrymandering).
A few months ago I was in a small 'boutique type' store in Canada. As I was paying for my purchase the proprietor looked at my credit card and asked where I was visiting from. I told her California. After saying she liked California, she lowered her voice and asked, "so what do you think of your president?" I said, "don't even get me started." She laughed and went on to say that she and everyone she knew couldn't figure out how that man got in the WH. Told her most all of my friends were asking the same thing.
16
Smug, preening Europeans. Gag. The US has plenty of problems. Europe has plenty of problems. What an idiotic piece for the NYT.
Higher education is not free in Europe. "In Denmark it's free." Maybe you need some more higher education. Nothing is free. Healthcare is not free. You just pay for it differently--with higher taxes.
As for all the people going on about how great Canada is, I'm from the US, but I've been living in Canada (Ontario) for ten years. I can't stand it here, but I'm stuck due to family and work.
Most Canadians like to look down on Americans, while at the same time they can't get enough American TV, food, music, and merchandise. They love to talk about their wonderful healthcare, while they wait 6 months or more for many important procedures, and most of the hospitals and ERs are overcrowded and grim. And like I said above: health care in Canada is not free; you pay for it through higher taxes. Wealthier Canadians take comfort in the fact that they can run to the US if the really need medical care and can't get it in Canada--they just head south where they have their choice of some of the finest hospitals in the world.
26
Stating that Canada’s health care system is great is a generalization. But so is this letter and it’s description of our health care system. I am sorry that you don’t like it here in Ontario Andrew. But, you’re wrong to suggest that only those that have money get good health care. It’s just not true. Is it perfect, no, but I take comfort in knowing and witnessing that my family and my neighbours almost always get the care they require, (sometimes it takes some time), without going bankrupt. I wonder if one of the most significant difference is that I don’t mind paying higher taxes so that I have this care and so does my neighbour across town who may or may not earn as much money as I do?
12
You listen to those young people give their opinion and how shocked they are at the backwardness of the US society and your answer is “gag” ?
Your reaction to a different opinion is what produces a gag reflex in most people who have Insight.
Taxes are high in the USA too, but pay for almost nothing : Gag !
13
@Andrew As an American in Canada for business I became really sick. There were no "doc in a box" places and the clinic at the local hospital was closed due to " lack of staff". All the Canadians were dog piled in ER. I not willing to pay $400 got on the next plane and flew home.
2
Europeans regard social support systems (child care, health care, transportation, education, etc) as fundamental to the functioning of a civil society. In contrast, one rather prevalent line of thinking in the US is that these social support systems somehow rob people of the incentive to work it out themselves or pull themselves up by their proverbial bootstraps. Thus, paradoxically, social services cuts are regarded as a way to 'help' those unfortunate members of society become 'better people.' As long as this mentality persists in the US, little change in the level of social supports in the US can be expected.
12
We're the nation of Ayn Rand. We live by a libertarian credo that makes "winning" into a religious obsession and losers are people who deserve their fate. Most bourgeois Americans imagine they've worked hard in their lives and earned what they have. They live in a constant fear that the losers will take their stuff - a terror fanned by never ending corporate security advertising and political propaganda.
We are the wealthiest most privileged country in the world. Yet nations that have only a fraction of our per capita GDP, whose people don't rent storage units to hold all their junk, seem to manage suicide rates far lower than ours and avoid a massive opioid epidemic. Some manage to avoid the grinding poverty we've gotten used to and the vast disparities in wealth and income. Not us. No, we build marijuana dispensaries to anesthetize the emptiness of our consumption based lives.
17
One hopes the next huge subject like how an entire continent of people sees another entire continent of people will be allowed more than three paragraphs of coverage, and coverage that is less jejeune.
4
These Euro kids seem to be just as ignorant as their American counterparts:)) Small consolation but yet. European model comes at price of unemployment unacceptable in the US, as is taxation. Most of our healthcare out of pocket is OK for those with decent insurance which would comprise of 80-90% and by far better quality than most of EU countries Don’t even start comparing with Sweden where residency limits choices of this single payer “paradise". Yes we need to bring the remaining 10-20% into fold but not at lowering choices as Dems are suggesting. Education quality, judging by the elitist Euro kids is about equal with most state universities far outpacing Euro schools not to mention top tier & employment prospects & pay levels. We’re not big on long vacays, allowances etc that'd put burdens on our businesses hence we have opportunities that give those motivated more ways for achievement and yes, the word that is missing here, success. Because ability to have a your teeth cleaned for $20-50 co-pay as oppose to free but have infinitely more opportunities makes a world of difference, our country is different, built for those who like ability to achieve not just have 6 weeks vacays. And it is to many from the Old World as well. There’s no shortage of Euro's in our best industries and many more would love to come and more striving to study in the US. So, yeah you could find some trade-offs in every system but ours is more successful. Guns issue isn’t fair, we’re culturally dif
10
@Jack-"European model comes at price of unemployment unacceptable in the US". Our current unemployment rate is 3.7%. The European Union has an unemployment rate of 6.2%, which equivalent to what our unemployment rate was in April 2014. In regards to the countries that best exemplify countries whose policies we want to regulate, most actually have comparable or lower unemployment rates than the United States right now: Germany 3.1% (over 82. 79 million people by the way), Denmark 4.3%, Iceland 2.3%, Norway 4.6%, Switzerland 5.1%, the United Kingdom 4.0%. Though you want to paint a picture of Europe, a cursory check of statistics found on Wikipedia reveals a different picture. In regards to your other claims, I would highly recommend reading the books "What's the economy for anyways?" and "Europe's Promise" to expand your viewpoint.
8
I'm an "Ameropean," born in NYC, raised in Rome. I've lived lengthy amounts of time in both London and Paris as well. What you are specifically focusing on in this video is social services, without taking into account the particular intricacies of American social, economic and political factors. It pays to remember that the U.S. is a nation of fifty semi-autonomous states, which can be compared to the European sovereign nations to some degree; if it's hard to govern the EU, imagine what a far larger union takes.
Europe has many dysfunctions, some far graver than ours. Britain is so difficult to do business in, I had to pack up and leave. I have been given the option to live there or here many times, and I would always choose here over there, unless I were retired.
It pays to remember that we are by far the dominant culture in the world, for very good reason, and not because we have imposed it on others by force — it's very much their choice — and certainly not because we're a dystopian cesspool of dysfunction, which is what pieces like this seem to convey. Almost all nations run a version of AmericaOS customized to their culture, even the Chinese. Yes, we are brutal and cold and somewhat uncaring, but there is clearly more to admire and emulate than there is to scorn. We will make the necessary social-services adjustments in time. But we will never spawn movements like fascism and communism, just to mention two of Europe's worst contributions in modern history.
13
When will these facts penetrate American heads? I think Europeans enjoy watching us struggle, seeing what we come up with. They think it would be nifty to be a cowboy, but they wouldn't like to live that way, heads down, working from dawn to dusk, burning themselves out, struggling to find child care, medical care, educational opportunity. Maybe our you're-on-your-own way of thinking invites imaginative solutions, but at what price? My opinion is that the price is now too high. We have more than enough money to provide what Europeans have.
5
My husband and I recently took at trip to Switzerland. In addition to the beauty of the landscape, the wonderful public transportation system, the cheese , the chocolate the people seemed so happy to do their jobs and do them well. That of course is because they are paid a living wage. And the price you see is the price you pay because of the VAT. My city in Texas has .0825 sales tax added to the listed price of the item
7
The comparison between relatively compact European nation-states that free ride on American military power and a continental union with a diverse population and global military is, on its surface, doomed to mislead.
Europeans have all kinds of regulations, but they may not be the best at enforcing them. Americans unearthed the VW diesel scandal. One has to compare what regulations are enforced, not what is on the books.
When there is always somewhere to move as there is in the USA, there is little incentive to gamble on expensive infrastructure that may have few users when it is finally built and is likely to be delayed and over budget to the breaking point once it is in progress. If a place gets so densely populated that people think they need single-purpose commuter light rail or a similar project, many of the same people will move somewhere less dense before a rail system is ever operational. As the federal government has become giant, obviously a "pick up and go" mentality will not apply as much in the DC area because there are so many people tethered to the region, and such an exception applies a little bit to NYC and a few other places. The propensity for abuse is vastly higher with a captive audience.
We have different systems for very good reasons, and I doubt the median American voter would value the same things in the same proportion that Europeans have been conditioned to accept.
4
Thank you! I always wondered a bit why many public policy debates are not informed more by looking around the world and seeing what works (and what doesn't) elsewhere. I admit though that this is not only the case for the US, but also in other countries – maybe just a general reflection of policy debates mostly being superficial.
And yes, regarding this piece specifically, I can only agree that it is hard to understand why a more robust social safety net and better public infrastructure is apparently not viewed as something worthy to invest in by a large fraction of US citizens. After all, everyone profits (on average).
2
Who really cares what Europeans think of the US, especially young Europeans who have no historical perspective of the relationship between the US and Europe?
Europe has been at war with itself for two thousand years. They colonized the rest of the world with catastrophic consequences that everyone else has been left to deal with after their system collapsed, again catastrophically. Their religious wars are ongoing and have claimed probably 100 million lives over the years. Their ideological flights of intellectual fancy--like communism and Nazism--have claimed hundreds of millions more. And their vaunted welfare state, so praised by naive semi-adolescents, is hardly much to brag about. The only reason it exists is the recognition, a little more than a century ago, that if you didn't provide the people with their bread and circuses they would soon overturn your institutions and put ruling classes on crosses, on scaffolds, to the sword, in guillotines, or before firing squads.
Washington and Jefferson explained how we should avoid entangling relationships with Europe because they understood what Europe has always stood for. Those two were a lot smarter than the people who run the US today.
5
The cost of education is typically lowered through a combination of scholarships and/or need-based financial aid, for which a lot of Americans are qualified for. For MIT specifically, you pay essentially 0 if your family earns less than $60,000.
Healthcare is problematic, right, but there are also co-pay assistance programs available for different types of medicine, especially ones that are not yet generic on the market. There are also state and federally funded programs that might help with that matter.
Food is tricky, but the diversity of it compensates for the troubles. I am sure any European would be okay getting groceries at places like Whole Foods/Trader Joe's and finding a dining option of their choosing in the country.
The lack of maternity and paternity leave is a valid point, yet salaries and bonuses in the US are significantly bigger than in most, if not all, European countries. Taxes are also lower
Guns are awful. Europeans are correct.
Overall, a bit of biased and uninformed perspective to sway the public's opinion on how bad is America.
4
It's a lot easier to build universal healthcare and affordable education into your society when another country like the US provides for your common defense. I'm frankly tired of hearing Europeans criticizing the US for this sort of thing when American taxpayers have provided for their common defense for the last 75 years. Yes, America is addicted to war. Yes, we grossly under-prioritize education, but Europeans are complete hypocrites when it comes to this issue. When EU leaders clamored to intervene into the Libyan conflict in March 2011, guess which nation provided most of the logistical and intelligence support? The United States. When NATO mounted the defeat-ISIS campaign in 2014, which country led and paid for it? The United States.
6
I just was recently in Europe and decided to read a bit about major differences. In particular, a Pew Trust poll in ?2016 showed the following major philosophical differences
1. Americans generally are twice as optimistic as Europeans and believe they are in control of their destinies (60% vs. 30%)
2. Europeans believe the gov't has a bigger role to play in society than Americans
3. Americans are much more religious with over 50% saying religion was very important to them vs. the highest European country at around 30%. Surprising because some EU countries have a "official" religion but it's more of a cultural thing than an entity that influences government.
The food was better/ healthier in Europe despite my living in CA, which probably has better access to food than most US states.
https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/04/19/5-ways-americans-and-europeans-are-different/
8
I don't care so much about Trump who can be seen as some kind of accident which can happen in any country. What amazes me though, is that a party that was serious about public expenditures and respect of the institutions derived so much from that course. It's actually despairing to see that half of the USA is playing the fool and that in order to keep some pseudo economical advantages and stand blindly behind the republican party.
It seems that the average US citizen does not realize that the current economical boom is financed by the debt. It would be nice if it could last for ever but at some point the system breaks. The day will come when countries will stop trusting the dollar and then, the president won't have any leverage to keep a low interest rate. As for other countries who experimented the same issue, this interest rate will explode and end up ruining the US economy.
The reality is that the US president is a liar, has a terrible lack of culture, makes one mistake after the other and is in fact ruining the country. Seen from here he is an absolute joke. Hopefully the short term viewers will wake up and push for the restoration of common sense.
12
But, but, but...socialism.
7
Yes, but we have garbage disposals and full size washing machines AND we actually have dryers. And we don't pay $1.67 per liter of gasoline ($6.34 per gallon for the math-challenged).
Don't get me wrong . . . I love Europe and all it's beautiful people, but after 2 weeks abroad, I'm ready to get back to my ridiculously convenient American life.
4
@Pam Europe has dryers too although not in the way you might think. Some places we stayed at -- apartments -- had these heated metal bars in the bathroom where you could hang wet clothes and they would dry reasonably fast.
Also, despite having a dryer at home, I find them to be overrated and we rarely use ours now. Rather I hang the clothes out to dry in the CA sun or in our bathroom in bad weather and they dry within 1-2 days, even denim. Sun-drying also kills bacteria, saves energy, preserves colors and fibers more.
I would also trade my garbage disposal, washing machine, and dryer anytime for universal healthcare.
3
@ms You take yourself too seriously.
@Pam that's strange. Back in the 80's I had both a washer and a dryer in Spain. And who needs gas when you can take a train. Go figure...
3
Funny! Critical thinking is hardly the equivalent to the sarcasm, wittiness, bitterness, and cynicism that are so highly valued by my European pals.
When they turn it on America I’m rather amused but when they turn it on Europe, the acidity is ghastly and appalling in comparison.
1
I went to Europe in April and was impressed by how relaxed and "chill" people seemed to be. Going out to dinner, our table was ours for the evening, so we could linger over the meal. I walk with a cane and people were so accommodating, including the entire kitchen staff that rushed to my assistance over the uneven floor on the way to the bathroom. When I got on a subway or train, people jumped up to give me their seats. I did not have to worry about a crazy gun toting idiot and that was very nice.
17
@Susan Kuhlman - Slightly OT, but your story of the subbway and the general courtesy reminded me of my trips to Seoul, where my granddaughter has lived and worked for several years. There's strong social pressure for any younger or healthier person to give up a subway seat for a pregnant woman or older person.
But even more noticeable to me was how SAFE I felt there. I've never felt "unsafe" in my upper middle class neighborhood in a big city in the heart of the US. But I was shocked to realize how much safer I felt in Seoul. My granddaughter, a beautiful young woman, can walk anywhere in Seoul at any time of the day or night in perfect safety. One time she lost her wallet on the subway - and found it on her doorstep, contents all intact, the next day.
2
I'm not impressed by what I see in Europe either
2
It's easy to mock the United States. I did for decades before I moved abroad. There are things I greatly admire about so many other countries, and so many ways in which America gets it wrong and could be improved by adopting policies similar to many European (or other) countries. But after living in Europe, I can hands down say that I have never appreciated America more. In spite of our allegedly terrible reputation, America remains a beacon to the world and a bastion of individualism, perseverance, innovation, assimilation, and so many other wonderful things. It's hard to see the forest for the trees. Living abroad gave me a new appreciation for America and all of its citizens - whether they were born here or came here from abroad for opportunity. No other country on earth has offered the innovation and history-defining moments/movements/advancements that Americans have. We have a long way to go, but there is nowhere else on earth quite like America, and no one else quite like Americans. It's why people risk their lives to come here. I understand it so much more having been on the outside looking in.
7
" But with the resources of the world’s largest economy and as keepers of the American dream, can’t policymakers find solutions?"
Looking for solutions is frequently a prerequisite to finding a solution. Two thirds of the government plus approximately 40% of the electorate are not only not looking, they are actively hiding from solutions.
That is the embarrassment that the United States has become.
8
As a Jewish American I would not live anywhere other than the U.S. (or Canada, maybe Australia as well).
My grandfather brought his family over from Western Europe to the U.S. in the 1930s. Had he not done that, we would all have been exterminated.
Europe and Asia are rife with violent anti-semitism from neo-nazis and muslim extremists. The standard of living in the Middle East and Africa (not to mention Russia) are much lower than in the U.S. and/or are in never ending wars. South America has too much crime. China and Russia have a far more repressive society. Japan might be okay if you speak the language and don't mind being under constant threat of nuclear attack from North Korea.
I'm not suggesting this country works for everyone. But it works just fine for us. And we are always striving to make it better, even if we sometime encounter a temporary setback.
Frankly, it would be helpful if the U.S. would stop spending so much money playing the world's policeman, and focusing more on solving problems at home. Do you really think that if the countries mentioned in this video spend just a fraction of what we spend on foreign aid or military assistance all over the world, they would still have the money to provide free health care and education? Priorities.
14
@Steven Roth - We haven't had to defend our European allies since the end of WWII. The reason we still have troops there is because it's US policy to prevent any other country, even allies, from building a military that can in any way rival ours. Both the Quadriennel Defense Review and the annual Defense Policy Guidance report say in the first sections that our goal is comprehensive military dominance and the prevention of any rivals, including allies. There are many countries where we still station troops against the wishes of the country's population, and we have to bribe those countries to continue to harbor our troops.
3
@Steven Roth
You mightn't be touting our lack of extermination if your ancestors were native American.
2
As a somewhat younger American, I'm unimpressed as well, for many of the same reasons. It's pathetic that a nation as wealthy and powerful as ours has such a paltry to nonexistent safety net for our citizens. Our cost of education, lack of parental leave and child care, and our extortionist, barbaric health "care" system is rightly a global embarrassment. Our levels of violence and looseness of gun laws are utterly insane. The Europeans represented in this video are citizens of nations that actually care about their people- their health, their quality of life, their education, their safety, their environmental well-being.
We need to align the working of our nation to better reflect the values and policies of European nations. That's the goal of my generation, and for those younger than myself. We've been spoon fed the mantra of savage, unregulated Capitalism, with its attendant cruelty, inequality, and inhumanity, for decades. We're sick of it. We're also aware of how much better it can be, because most of the industrialized world has figured that out. The optimism mentioned here is, too often, a hopeful fantasy that better times will come. Instead of dreaming, I'd rather we work to make a better, healthier nation a reality for all of us.
17
@Dominic beautifully said. Thank you.
2
Yet many U.S. voters (including a few editorial writers for the Times itself) watching this piece will somehow insist that electing someone like Warren and fighting for health care, education and economic fairness is somehow impractical or even radical.
5
@John C.
She has to get this done with a Republican Senate. The silence will be deafening. Swimming through wet concrete would be easier.
1
Say what you will about the deficiencies of the American public school system and major corporate media, but they do one thing really well: persuade kids that our way is the only way. And best do what you're told.
OTOH, there's a reason our sugared soft drinks are so much bigger than those in Europe: we needthe anti-depressant effects of sugar throughout the day more than they do. Of course, you do end up paying for the insulin yourself when the time comes, but them were happy times, worth every gram!
6
I've worked abroad for many years in Europe (eastern and western) and Australia/Asia.
I love many things about those countries and appreciate their rightful pride in their land and culture.
Having said that, I can say with 100% certainty, everyone of those folks who had the opportunity to come to the USA, prefer the USA (by a great deal more).
It's about freedom and opportunity; something that when you're young you may not fully appreciate. Funny, because many young Americans don't understand or appreciate that either.
4
@Brad
And your 100% wrong -- you need only ask Americans who began life here and moved to Western Europe or Canada.
And if "freedom and opportunity" is so great here, why are our rates of social mobility so much worse than the likes of Norway and Denmark?
This is not the 1950s.
17
@jrd sorry to break it to you, but 100% of the Danes that I worked with (hundreds), preferred the USA and competed for US assignments.
3
@Brad
Exactly! "Assignments". Meaning, not giving up citizenship, not giving up health care, not giving up free education, not giving up the services you'll get in retirement etc.
Do Americans who want to work on a temporary basis in in Brazil, Kenya or Argentina prefer those systems? And that's why they're going?
The American mystique -- which is not the product of American flag wavers -- is so strong, people will put up with 3rd world infrastructure and social services to come here. For a while, anyway.
9
It's taken for granted that the US is not a European country, but as I see it, it really is. It is a product of European populations moving to Native America and taking it over. Yes, there is diversity due to the slave trade and immigration from other parts of the world, mostly lately, but until quite recently almost every aspect of dominant US culture was derived from Europe -- language, religion, laws, architecture, the arts, education, literature, music. This is not Africa. This is not Asia. It's a product of European expansion, different in the sense that all European countries are different from one another. Europeans who reflect on America are reflecting upon themselves.
2
@Joe There is almost nothing about US laws that is similar to European laws. UK laws, maybe.
1
@Viv Not true. Most of the Western states, including California, are community property states, for example, which came by way of the Visigoths through the Spanish, not the British.
Why not have ordinary Americans take a look at Europen policies on lots of things, with the critical note that the particular things looked at would be determined by people in the USA, all of whom voted for Trump.
THAT would be the big eye-opener!
Alternatively, the things looked at would be determined by my friends here (note my city and what's based here, no not the Cheez Whiz factory!) from Europe. This would be an even bigger eye-opener. As the differences they pick things like our freedom and opportunity, especially in education.
Most Americans, apparently including NYT pundits, don't realize how different "degrees" here and there are simply not comparable. My experience is mostly with Germans.
Their undergraduate degrees are substantially "weaker" than ours. Their Ph.D degrees are much weaker than ours ... their equivalent to our PhD is a thing that's actually a non-degree called a "habitation". Its not that they are inferior ... they are just "staggered" compared to ours. And there are things like that all over the comparison spectrum ... you have to take into account "staggering" in lots of areas.
Weaker? I’m not familiar with Germany but in France an engineering degree from ENS, Polytechnique or Centrale is as good as an engineering degree from MIT or Stanford.
8
@Doug McDonald I have been educated as a physicist in Germany, then went for a postdoc stay in Yale, and now am back and a professor in Germany. I do not know where from you take your claim that our undergraduate degrees are substantially weaker and our PhD degrees are much weaker. At least in physics (and other natural sciences disciplines) this is definitely untrue, and my US colleagues would confirm this immediately. In fact, they are very happy to hire German PhD graduates into their groups as postdocs, because they know they get quality.
Again, I enjoyed my time in the US very much and continue to collaborate with my excellent colleagues from there, but I would like to know which discipline you are talking about.
7
@Florian :
Yes, we are happy to hire them as post-docs.
We can get very smart folks. However, at least in my field (chemistry) we would expect a new German PhD to have less actual experience than the usual US one. This sort of stuff matters when considering the cost of degrees, much more so than the actual quality.
Drive a few miles east from Maastricht but before you come to Aachen. Watch the south side of the road and turn in where the sign says "Margraten" -- and these young faces in this article will be in for a surprise. There lie thousands and thousands of dead young Americans. They were killed so that the world could breathe free. Yes, America has its problems, its faults, its errors of the past and present. This hillside should remind these young people that America also has made great sacrifices. And only asked for one thing: a place to bury its heroic dead.
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Yes, we are grateful for the sacrifices of the USA, really, but does it exempts the USA from criticism or should it prevent our kids from being surprised of the way the USA treats its citizens that are not rich?
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@Old Man It's 2019. I could go on and on about Canadians who died in Europe before the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbour and the US was forced to become involved. So save me the breath of freedom talking points. It's in the past. And that's where it belongs.
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@Bart
WW2 was a long time ago. I don't believe we had people going bankrupt due to healthcare costs then. Now we have corporate for profit heathcare and people do go bankrupt. We are a different country now. We had real hamburgers. Now we have McDonalds. Unfortunately, so do you. :-(
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Europe knows only capitalist countries (the USSR and its satellites are long gone). But these capitalist countries provide more care for its citizens - and no: that is not being socialist, but just being social - then the USA does.
American power has a lot, maybe all, to do with its size: it is the biggest capitalist western country with the biggest army. But the EU as a whole is the biggest economic power in the world, not the US or China.
So the kids have a point when they are flabbergasted.
As most adult Europeans would like to tell you: please stop this bragging about ‘being the best and greatest nation on Earth’. We are still grateful for your help in WWII, but it might be time to realize that being the most powerful is not the same as being the best or the greatest. And be aware that your are just still the most powerful, ‘cause your president is wasting your power in a stunning fast way
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We are barbarians.
And at this point, every Euro I know thinks we’ve lost our minds.
Who’d have thought Gordon Gecko would rule-the day in this country, this far removed from the movie Wall Street.
My favorite sign was the one some right wing rallier held up that said, “government , get your hands off my Medicare “. Ha!!!!
Out of our minds!!!
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I think the U.S. built up a lot of good will in Europe by helping to rid it of fascism, implementing the Marshall Plan, and forming NATO to protect against conquest by the U.S.S.R. But that's ancient history to anyone under 40, and a lot of that goodwill was squandered along the way by the cynicism prevalent during the Cold War. Propping up any right-wing dictator who faced a socialist rebellion. Plus assassinations, coups, and military interventions that were largely motivated by business interests, especially oil. And then we get the current clown in the White House deliberately trying to destroy what's left of our credibility. I wouldn't doubt that any European too young to remember D-Day thinks we're all just a bunch of kooks.
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"Love it or leave it" doesn't have the same ring it used do.
How do Europeans see Americans? Though lenses tinted with envy!
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@Markus Actually they don’t.
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This is pure proganda. Nice try NY times. If it was so
Great in Europe why are all the populations in decline? Also having
Visited there just recently, it’s clear they are experience a pretty severe recession. Everyone I spoke with wanted jobs, jobs jobs. So this is great progressive propaganda but it is not
Balanced at all. Go check out some
Ghettos in Paris and in Belgium and tell us how it’s going
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@Dante You nailed it!
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Kurt Cobain had us pegged nearly thirty years ago--we are stupid, and contagious, and all we want is for something/someone to entertain us.
Can't get much more incisive about the average later 20th century/early 21st century American that that.
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I find that the views expressed in the video are commonly held in Europe. However, the UK Government (sic) is unfortunately looking at introducing their own version of Republican policies. When we are truly hoisted by our own petard, it will be the shortsighted Brexit-voting populace who will be the first to riot when the edifice comes crashing down around their ears. I hope that both the USA and Europe manage to jettison the current damaging populist politics before democracy is irreparably damaged but I suspect we have still further to fall.
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I lived in Europe for 4 years (2 different countries) and these responses don't surprise me.
Europeans' views of the US can reveal both colonialist attitudes (why is it a crime for another country - a former colony, no less - to do things differently from the way yours does?) and not a little bit of jealousy (it is not lost on them that particularly in technology, they have ceded their dominant position to Americans). This might be a bitter pill for Americans, liberals in particular, to swallow, but it's the truth.
The reality is that we're not a nation-state like their countries, so we assimilate foreigners far better but have a more competitive, cutthroat society. Foreigners occupy an entirely different class in Europe, and despite what some tell themselves, foreigners *and their descendants* will never, ever fully be European.
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There will never be a BILL GATES or MARK ZUKERBERG in Europe, only here.
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@Trevor Diaz Sure, both are Americans but Europe has its own group of innovative, intelligent businessman -- how about Inger Kampvrad of IKEA or Bernard Arnault of LMVH? Not to mention that many, many Americans use a Samsung mobile phone, a product from a South Korea company.
Frankly, the comments from many Americans -- and I am one -- are dismaying. Too many people are wrapped up in nationalism and ego to learn from other countries. No country/ region is perfect but let's steal and borrow the best ideas! If anything, such comments reveal low self-esteem masquerading as over confidence: otherwise, we would not be so defensive.
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@Trevor Diaz Thank goodness.. Neither of these people are ones to be emulated.
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Lucky that my US born kids also have German passports. I told them you're better off starting your careers in Europe.
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@Oliver - My two older grandchildren plan to spend their adult lives outside the US. The older one has already been doing so for several years, and the younger one will emigrate next year. I'll miss them, but I think they're making wise decisions.
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How many Americans could speak the languages of any of the countries represented in the video, let alone with the kind of fluency these young people have with English?
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Ostensibly,the American experiment evolved out of first principles of the enlightenment without having centuries of culture and transitions and protocols interfering with it's development as a nation. It was still fundamentally European in background with the same sexism and racism, but with a certain reset button pressed. Perhaps modernity speeds things up a lot. but it seems that the United States has developed many of the same types of "European" problems that it was trying to avoid. The infighting and resentment between groups, the decidedly undemocratic hegemonic structures, the adventurism...
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The Republican party has successfully worked hard to ensure that Americans are misinformed, disinformed, poorly educated and heavily propagandized by an empty waving flag and a burning cross.
They Greed Over People party is funded by the worst selfish, greedy instincts of humanity to ensure that America is a quasi-third-world-country in the infrastructure, healthcare, voting rights, campaign corruption, public education and childcare departments.
The only thing America is #1 in is cultured stupidity and income inequality...just the way Republican Machiavellis like it.
As an American, it's clear that America is a uniquely disgraceful country by many different metrics thanks to Pachyderm Spongiform Encephalopathy.
Don't let your children grow up to be Republicans.
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I travel a lot for work. I keep a Canadian flag luggage tag on my suitcase precisely because of all of this... America: the least developed 'developed' nation...
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Those who sing the praises of America are condemned to live in it.
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European socialists lecturing America. Ha! These folks have forgotten everything their grandparents, great grandparents, and Americans did for them during 2 world wars. The Euro is going to fail, both as a currency and as a union, and then the banking crisis will begin. The ECB has been buying stocks and everything else hand over fist to try to keep things afloat. They have little to no defense capability, and are totally unprepared if Russian or Chinese tanks were to come rolling over them. Purchasing a plot of land is out of reach for most. Let's talk again in 20 years and see where they're at.
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@Steve I do not think these young people are somehow ungrateful towards the US. They were just asked about very specific policies, and their responses are not at all surprising.
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@Steve - It was the US financial and stock market crash that destroyed the economy of the EU and much of the rest of the world.
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The response from so many Americans to this article seem to be "But we have the money and the toys!". But sadly, so many Americans don't have money or toys. Nor do they have decent health care, housing or food. That's the difference between Europe and the USA. The wealth gap on this side of the Atlantic is a yawning chasm, growing wider by the day.
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One could be just as critical of the Europeans, or any other group. Stereotypes, both good and bad, are usually a consequence of the most recent publicity cycle.
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And don´t forget their puzzlement over the uniquely American compulsion to walk into a room anywhere in the world and loudly broadcast their thoughts to the maximum number of listeners possible.
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70% of America represents a progressive and inclusive country, with honesty, decency, and integrity, shining thru every day. The other 30%, Trump's-base, is holding the rest of the country (and the world) hostage because of the useless Electoral College. Wyoming, Wisconsin, and Nebraska, are simply not as important, culturally, socially, economically, as California and New York, and the disparity between where people actually live and the power of the vote is the reason America is such a shock to these young Europeans. America actually voted, overwhelmingly, in the MILLIONS, for a different President (and future) than it received.
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This is really thought provoking and much of it true, especially health access, clean food and environment, and lack of gun crimes.
The problem is then saying Sanders or Warren then should be the Democratic nominee because they claim to be more aligned with European wisdom than anyone else. Not true. For example, Europeans use a mix of private and public resources for health access, have made tough choices when it comes to what is covered and how, and accept higher taxes as well as some out of pocket costs.
Meanwhile, what Sanders and Warren propose eliminates private insurance to create a massive health care system that doesn't make any of the hard choices and does not expect any out of pocket costs to citizens. This isn't European, its quite a bit different.
And politically the American electorate isn't with them, or even close.
Meanwhile, we do have many candidates that offer the wisdom and practicality of what the Europeans have done in a way that enhances their ability to win the election.
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@OrchardWriting - Unlike Europeans, Americans are unwilling to pay taxes for better health care, but mostly because of years of propaganda that prevents them from figuring out we're paying far more out of pocket for our health care and other social benefits than we'd pay for the same thing through taxes. That's why Europeans generally have more disposable income than Americans.
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A glaring difference between EU countries and the US is the fact that entrepreneurs are encouraged in the EU. Want to start a business in the US? Have a family? A self employed person with wife and 3 small children has to pay $2K a month for health insurance. That is with the ACA.
Try doing without it though, I have, and it is nerve wracking and puts your entire family at risk. The emergency room is no answer. Ever had to go to one?
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Europeans aren't impressed? Americans aren't impressed either. Just read about ISIS and its ascent. America has policy -- 1 ounce of progress for 50 lbs of destruction.
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Reform campaign financing and eliminate electoral college and watch for eventual improvement of outsider's perceptions, produced by restoration of democracy.
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