Do you think this is the best country in the world for low-income people?or only for the middle and upper clas

Question

I like this country,but i don,t think is the best for working class with low incomes.I'm considered myself middle-class,and i think this is the best country by far,but this country is not good for everyone.I will say that Europe is better for low-income families:free health care,paid vacation,governament support,public trasportation...

Answer 1

You're absolutely right, Europe does do much more for low-income families. My family is low income, and we get NOTHING from the american government.

Answer 2

Well, the poverty line in the US is way below that in the EU and the minimum wage in most EU countries is about double what it is in the US. And yes, you have plenty of paid vacation, at least 28 days mandatory (what - don't you get paid vacation in the US?!), you have public transportation in big cities (not everywhere, but you do have inter-city trains to all but the most remote places), free healthcare (though the systems work differently - in some places you pay and get reimbursed to prevent hypochondriacs overwhelming the system), the cost of prescription medicines are amazingly low, you will have access to subsidized housing and government support if you make below a certain amount or have children, even if you're in full time employment.

But all is not rosy in Euro-land, you know. Taxes in the Euro-zone are high relative to the US, and job mobility tends to be more difficult. You can't just go out and get a job without related qualifications/experience. Working two or three jobs is extremely rare. I've only seen it in the UK, where young people work a day job and then maybe a few hours a week in the pub for extra cash. In France, they are very big on "diplomas". "Us and them" attitudes are less pronounced in Europe because they have a strong background of apprenticeships and guilds, where waiters and carpenters actually go to school to learn their trades.

The cost of most things except for food are higher in Europe, so Europeans tend to be more frugal than their American counterparts. The cost of running a car is very expensive.

Most Europeans tend to buy what they need. They are not as influenced by the entertainment media nor do they feel the need to live up to some Hollywood idea of how people should look and live. When was the last time you saw a movie or TV show where the hero lived in a trailer park, unless he was some kind of low-life scumbag? Yet millions of Americans - working people, retirees, families - live in trailer parks. In all my years I never saw a portrayal of a middle class family on TV or in film which lived in a house like the one I grew up in. Their houses are all enormous, immaculate, expensively furnished and have double garages.

Americans, with its strong work ethic, seem to equate poverty with laziness. Europeans just consider it to be an unfortunate reality, and don't attach any stigma to it.

You say you consider yourself "middle class". I don't know how much you make, but I do know that most lower income Americans consider themselves "middle class". In Europe, there are working class people who are millionaires but still wear their working class roots like a badge. Otherwise, Europeans don't like to talk about class, just like they don't like to talk about money. I would say most people consider these subjects to be in bad taste. The master-servant relationships, the history of tyranny and fealty and serfdom is stilll a sore subject.

Answer 3

This is the best. The U.S. is the land of opportunity and one must work for what they get. Many middle class are far happier than the rich among us. Money does not buy happiness and the poor are taken care of much better than many believe. This country is good for all. One has to avail themselves of the opportunities. We cannot help those who will not help themselves (and are able).

Europe is living on borrowed time. Don't be fooled by what you hear about Europe. Many immigrants from Europe are trying desperately to come here. Why is that?

Answer 4

My family lives below the poverty level and we own a house.
We don't eat out but we have plenty to eat. We don't have much of a Christmas or birthdays but we go camping free and we have a great time together. We always have everything we need just not a lot of extras. I think this is the best country in the world and I believe my 14 year old would say the same.
PS
My husband is a full time student.

Answer 5

Free?? Well, free for those who recieve the benefits... but not for those paying the bills!

The thing about the US is, most folks who are low-income aren't limited to being low-income. Those who refuse to work or who aren't willing to get an education to increase their chances of getting a decent living wage, but are content to live on welfare and "free" services... well, I don't think they deserve any more than they already get. If they were all put to work, we'd have more funding to help those who truly cannot work.

Answer 6

And how are the people paying for these freebies in Europe? With high taxes?

Answer 7

We have the richest poor people on earth!! Anyone who disagrees needs to travel outside of the reach of their television....3rd worlders are amazed that "poor people" in the US actually eat everyday, have cars, tv s etc....Gee, maybe why people risk their lives to get here?? SECURE OUR BORDERS, LEGAL IMM> OKAY!!!

Answer 8

we try to have an environment where you have to work on your own to make something of yourself...it's called the american spirit...ask the poor kids in france how easy it is to get a job now...

Answer 9

you better believe it,if your poor in America,your screwed.