well rather than site web links, I have actually lived in Germany for 4 years and travelled throughout Europe. They have a higher (average) standard of living, and more importantly their countries are generally cleaner and better kept. Just take a drive thru the US and drive to the small towns and cities that have been ravaged by the demise of industry in our country.. the Walmartization of America.. Then, drive from the coast of France to Prague... you'd have to be brain dead not to notice the start difference.
We have a 3rd world country living with in the US.. you just don't see that in the EU.
On top of all this, the average EU worker gets 30 days of vacation each year or more.. some 60... and works under 40 hours a week.. has far less to worry about in his retirement years, and gets first class medical care no matter what his level of income. Those with more of course have access to private medicine which even further grants them an advantage.
With all due respect, I was stationed in Germany for 3 1/2 years and apparently you view things differently than I did.
In Europe almost NO ONE has a house the size of mine or owns 4 cars and an airplane. Yet in the US I would consider myself middle class.
In Europe (Germany) you typically have multiple generations living under the same roof. Oma and Opa upstairs Mom and Pop in the middle and kids on the bottom. There may be one vehicle for the entire family and not all of them can ride in it at the same time.
Europe is generally cleaner? Really? Been to Paris? Some parts of Europe are cleaner because they have laws that mandate that YOU sweep the sidewalks, not because some gov't worker comes by and does it.
Europe is a great place if your life revolves around soccer and pub culture. If you would rather live in an apartment than own a home you'll love Europe. Sure their are plenty of historic buildings and cemetaries and alot of bars.
Europe has no poverty? Really? What about the riots in Paris a few years ago? I would say that nearly half the population of Germany and France lives in conditions that I would not want for myself. When I lived in Germany there were plenty of Turks living there in poverty. Look a little further to the East to find the poverty in Europe. Oh it's there, trust me. Poverty is a relative thing, and when you are all at a lower level the bottom is not that far from from the top.
As for socialized medicine, I have had a small taste of it through the VA. Thanks but no thanks. Sure our system has it's flaws, but putting the same people who run the DMV in charge of it is only going to make it worse. The fact that a private system exists is proof that socialized medicine is lacking.
Europeans get 30 days of vacation a year. Well they got us beat there. They also pay alot more in taxes and envy our freedom much more than they like to let on. How many Europeans do you know that have permanently immigrated to the United States? How many Americans do you know that have emmigrated to Europe? It just doesn't happen very frequently.
Obviously you have an issue with Wal Mart. When I lived in Germany the stores were closed on Saturdays (except Langsamstag) and Sundays as mandated by the government. Stores (even large ones) were required to close at lunchtime, so that mom and pop shops could compete with them. 24 hour gas stations or grocery stores forget about it. I for one am appreciative of WalMart for keeping everyone else out there competitive.
This country is great for what it is. Are there things we can take from Europe to improve our lifestyle here? Absolutely. But let Europe be Europe and let the US be the US. One great thing about being an American is that you are free to leave at any time.
You have romanticized your memories of Europe and forgotten all the PITA things about living over there. For example, your trip from the coast of France to Prague would not have even been possible 20 years ago. Today it would cost you a fortune in gas, and you would have to stop and show your passport 3 times. The Autobahn is now ruined with all the trucks from eastern Europe on it. It's a great place to vacation, but you wouldn't want to live there.