Am Dienstag, 19. Juli 2005 22:26 schrieb [EMAIL PROTECTED]: > It's my understanding that many european countries have significantly > better vacation plans than what most private & commercial enterprises dole > out to their employees within the USA, even after 15 - 20 years of > dedicated service. I understand six weeks of "european vacation" per year > is common. > > Regards, > Steven Vincent Johnson > www.OrionWorks.com
This is currently correct for some of the European nations, but unfortunately, not all. In general, a higher educational standard, socialized medicine, healthier food, higher minumum wage, and many, many other benefits (like great beer) were the statutory norm in the wealthier European countries. GATT, NAFTA, pressure from the US controlled World Bank, and the recent acceptance of many lesser developed countries have forced an erosion in the overall quality of the lifestyle for many people in the original EU. Many people still enjoy a six week vacation here, but with the creation of "mini jobs" (part-time, quite often for 1 Euro per hour, no benefits), in Germany for example, the percentage of people enjoying those 6 week vacations is lower than say, 15 or 20 years ago. I have yet to re-visit France this time around so I cannot comment on what is happening there, but the gap between the classes here in Germany has noticably widened in recent years, although still not nearly as badly as it has in the United States. Hopefully, this situation will improve over time as the newly accepted EU members develop their own infrastructures. A lot depends also on how the development of China affects the world market for products and services, and hopefully, a re-discovery by the Europeans of the simple truth that all economies are engineered - not exactly a tenet of the global free marketplace advocates. This was something that used to be common knowledge here, but seems to have been forgotten by many. The Europeans have enough of a population base now, that they don't have to compete globally, and can structure their society and economy simultaneously more democratically and socially. In other words, they don't have to live entirely by free marketplace rules. Personally, I would still prefer to live most anywhere in Europe than to live most anywhere in the US (and not just because of the beer). The Europeans seem to have a more developed sense of fairness, and an understanding that life is about much more than just chasing a buck. I remain optimistic about the future of Europe, and hope that the institution of the 6 week vacation, as well as the numerous other benefits that nearly all Europeans used to enjoy quickly become a reality again for everyone. They are very healthy things. Knuke
