Re: OT: Michael Elliott on Europeans vs Americans

"George M. Middius"  wrote in message >
>
> Schizoid Man said:>
> > > [We slimy Frogs] have about $2600.00 per month.>
> > I earn significantly more than what you do.

> Not necessarily. That is his take-home pay.

I already have factored in that the amount he quoted is post-tax.


> > why exactly is socialism good in this situation?
>
> Free health care, free university education, and sky-high gasoline
> prices to prop up a vastly superior rail network.

My firm pays for excellent private health care.

Many public universities in this country - UT-Austin and UC-Berkeley are
fairly reasonable by European standards and offer a much higher level of
quality in terms of their facilities and faculties and job opportunities.

I remember one incident at Rugby. I was playing squash and got hit by a
racket right above my left eye. I was rushed to the local hospital's OPD. I
didn't remember any of my insurance details so I had to go under NHS - the
UK's public and free National Health Service. The nurse came and put a shot
glass over my eye and told me to hold it like that till the doctor could see
me. I sat there for four hours before I got an audience.

Free? Yes. Efficient? Hardly.

> > You can call me a material sod, but I'd rather take fewer weeks of leave
> > rather than a cut in my paycheck. I current get 17 days off work, plus 4
> > floating holidays and I accrue a half-day of sick leave every two
months.
>
> That's pretty skimpy sick leave. ;-)
>

I'd argue that that's a pretty skimpy paycheck for a family of five! ;)