Thrax makes a good point BO.

The US goes to exploit Europe not to be like it. Europe sucks. Your too fucking stupid to realize this since you have never lived there.

Look at your own life. Your mom MOVED TO THE US FROM SPAIN BECAUSE SPAIN SUUUUUUUUUUUUUCKS TO LIVE IN.

Fucking dumbass.

I am honestly beginning to think you have Mommy issues BO.

Average GDP per capita of four industrialized countries (2009):

France: $34,092 International Dollars
Germany: $47,132 International Dollars
The Netherlands: $40,777 International Dollars
USA: $39,138 International Dollars

http://www.gfmag.com/gdp-data-country-reports.html#axzz1Kx8ggZB8

Next is a list of average hours worked per year (2009):

France: 1554 hrs
Germany: 1390 hrs
The Netherlands: 1378 hrs
USA: 1768 hrs

http://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=ANHRS

PS- thats me

Mr. Trump:

My check of the numbers on that same site show $34,092 as the purcashing power parity (PPP) value for France for 2010. The corresponding number for the United States is $47,132. For Germany, $35,952.

Not adjusted for purchasing power parity: France, $40,591, United States, $47,132, Germany, $40,512.

You're fired!

Yodel the point is despite what preconceived notions you may have about western social democracies, you have to admit they still are the best in the world in a variety of respects. What billionaire wants to go to Alabama, or Mississippi or anywhere that isn't New York or California? Despite the fact that we're bigger than Europe (and half of europe was under the iron curtain) we still have a weaker economy and far less attractions.

welp, actually: the USA GDP was an average of all of the states' individual GDPs which is more reflective of the GDP as a whole

and where did you go to get that? You sure we are on the same site citing info? ohhhhh, i was copying and pasting from different columns, here ill do it again

Per Capita GDP- Current Prices

Germany: US$ 40,512 (2010 estimate)
France: US$ 40,591 (2010 estimate)
The Netherlands: US$ 46,418 (2010 estimate)
USA: $39,138 (2009)

USA source: http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/regional/spi/2010/pdf/spi0310.pdf
Europe source was the same as above

Skrum:

US- 47,132/1768= 26.658371 income per hour
France - 40,591/1554= 26.1203346
Germany - 40512/1390 = 29.1453237

That's using your numbers. Keep in mind these nations have free healthcare and free education. Despite all these social programs/public spending they still generally work less hours than us and make the same if not better rates per hour of work. France especially has amazing healthcare and education. Their public schools serve gourmet food to introduce them to french cuisine. You can get a doctor to your house faster than a pizza if you're sick in france and it costs you nothing.

So please, where's the silver lining?

That's what I'm getting at. The US is paying about 75% of the taxes they pay in the Eurozone, but are we getting 75% of the benefits from the govt that they are?

And that difference in taxes is not being used in a useful way in the US. I mean, we commute in a car for about 30-60 minutes (there goes a little GDP to the ever rising gasoline bill), we have to pay for a babysitter bc the kids have to be taken care of while we work till 6 (a little bit more GDP), grab some fast food for the family because you do not have time to cook a meal (inefficient and unhealthy use of GDP), etc. etc.