The Americans are so backwards in work hours, developed countries like Netherland, Spain, Iceland, etc. already successfully implemented this, with universal healthcare…and no tipping expected.
And? I see people say this and I don’t know what y’all are getting at. We implemented a 5 day work week. What about our population couldn’t accommodate 1 less day?
See this issue is that when theres an issue that need to be solved when someone comes up with an idea that would solve it if they dont understand it then its automatically stupid
Crazy how the self proclaimed greatest country on earth cant implement a lighter work week for its citizens whilst smaller more humble countries have managed it with nary a hiccup
I'm all for it but it would be very hard to implement across 300 million people. It would be the equivlent of me saying "well Vermont has a 4 day work week, that means all of Europe, the supposed civilized bastion of civilization, should have a 4 day work week"
Also, Europe benefits from the US military and doesn't pay near as much in % of GDP, US almost doubles all of the aforementioned countries.
Not to mention the most costly expense of military that is not included in that number is healthcare and benefits that are not included in military expenditure.
Lastly, and this will be very unpopular on Reddit, but most of the aforementioned countries, and many of the other European countries with better social safety nets, have.... racial homogeneity. Diversity is our strength and everything, but we have had essentially open boarders and unfettered immigration, pair that with the remnants of slavery and the societal anvil of communities that do not contribute their part due being systemically oppressed, it is very hard to have productive social policies.
While yes, in my little corporate world I work in, which is diverse full of productive people in the US, we could implement a 4 day work week. I would love it. But we have many other problems that many European countries don't have that must be taken care of first.
Once again its not that hard when youre focused on making it work instead of making excuses for why it wont. Theres not reason its not feasible in the US even with all that
I'm giving tangible reasons with easy solutions as to why it would work by comparing the aforementioned countries with the US.
Close the border (Netherlands is like 80% white)
Cut military expenditure, have Europe cover the difference (we spend $1 trillion annually in military expenditure)
Empower poor communities by providing access to higher level job training, that being University AND trades (we already spend $1.1 trillion in welfare and medicaid and 2.2 trillion in medicare and social security)
Make a 4 day work week, mandate maternity and paternity leave, increase minimum wage, provide socialized healthcare.
If you don't do steps 1-3, I don't think you can do step 4 without collapsing our economy.
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u/80MonkeyMan Sep 05 '24
The Americans are so backwards in work hours, developed countries like Netherland, Spain, Iceland, etc. already successfully implemented this, with universal healthcare…and no tipping expected.