Canexican:

You lesson your argument by the use of profanity. While I'm not offended by it, it doesn't help your cause. The unemployment rate in Francei s 7.5 % 8% in Germany and 8% in Spain. The newsmedia is railing our economy because the unemployment rate is 5.5%. IF you don't like your job in the US you have a better chance of finding a newer, better one than you do in Europe.

Not offended? Hmmm. I'll try harder: If you want to lecture someone on their language, have a child.

Second, while Euro unemployment figures are higher, this is because the US does not count approximately 14 million Americans who have dropped out of the job market. Our actual figure, if you did equivalents, would be closer to 10-12% unemployment. Third, unemployment in Europe is far less of a disaster because they have both a decent social safety net, free education/job training, and active, effective job placement.

The difference lies in the percentage of economic production that is diverted to the social sphere, which (though subject to abuse and mismanagement) elevates the median and allows the average person in talent and ambition to still lead a decent life with the necessities provided. Here, the disparity between the owning class and almost everybody else is so great that people are constantly dragged down and effectively thrown out of the running for social advancement and economic mobility due to bad luck or a few bad choices. This ultimately is a recipe for social chaos and economic collapse because it poisons the twin foundations of the economy-- labor and consumers. In the meantime, all that productive value goes into the hands of fewer and fewer people who then, seeking higher and higher returns, waste the capital on speculative, emerging market investments that simply drain more capital away from the social or public sector.

And that, my friend, is how workers who create the wealth and pay the taxes get fucked in the ass.