I don't think most Americans have any idea of the amount of social benefits that Europeans have, including vacation time, retirement benefits, universal healthcare, etc. The mass media, especially right-wing radio, repeat the mantra that the poorest American has a better lifestyle than the richest European. After all, we have bigger houses, bigger cars, bigger food, women with bigger--well, you get the idea. Those poor Europeans have to live in tiny houses, drive tiny cars, etc.

The idea that working Americans would be proud of being "productive" is just amazing. Didn't anyone hear about Lincoln ending slavery?