Krugman: French Family Values

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/29/opinion/29krugman.html?hp=&pagewanted=print

Americans tend to believe that we do everything better than anyone else. That belief makes it hard for us to learn from others. For example, I've found that many people refuse to believe that Europe has anything to teach us about health care policy. After all, they say, how can Europeans be good at health care when their economies are such failures?

Now, there's no reason a country can't have both an excellent health care system and a troubled economy (or vice versa). But are European economies really doing that badly?

The answer is no. Americans are doing a lot of strutting these days, but a head-to-head comparison between the economies of the United States and Europe - France, in particular - shows that the big difference is in priorities, not performance. We're talking about two highly productive societies that have made a different tradeoff between work and family time. And there's a lot to be said for the French choice.

<snip>

American conservatives despise European welfare states like France. Yet many of them stress the importance of "family values." And whatever else you may say about French economic policies, they seem extremely supportive of the family as an institution. Senator Rick Santorum, are you reading this?

[wli]

1. France doesn't sound bad to me, but the EU may not be far enough

Well, as Indira Singh said, it's going to be global, right?

I'm screwed no matter what. The EU is out due to Codex Alimentarius anyway.

[Michael_UK]

2. This is something I've felt for a long time....

The "moral/family values" group, if they truly believe in family values have no common cause with the market fundamentalists.

[non sociopath skin]

3. Paul Krugman, NYT: French Family Values

Maybe Old Yoorp doesn't need the Neocons as much as Shrub thinks they do...

The Skin

Now, there's no reason a country can't have both an excellent health care system and a troubled economy (or vice versa). But are European economies really doing that badly?

The answer is no. Americans are doing a lot of strutting these days, but a head-to-head comparison between the economies of the United States and Europe - France, in particular - shows that the big difference is in priorities, not performance. We're talking about two highly productive societies that have made a different tradeoff between work and family time. And there's a lot to be said for the French choice.

....

<snip>

It's true that France's G.D.P. per person is well below that of the United States. But that's because French workers spend more time with their families.

Article at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/29/opinion/29krugman.html?th&emc=th

[Wetzelbill]

4. Krugman is really a character

I always like how he goes out of his way to kick some Republican ass. As if all his research isn't enough, he just comes out and calls somebody a liar or wallops some hypocrite with his own words. :)

[BlueEyedSon]

5. Kicked and nominated!

[Missy M]

6. There is more to life than just work so we can have the McMansion,...

SUV and eat out every other night. I would much rather have more vacation time to spend with family and friends. Also, a universal health care system for everyone so that burden is lifted. Viva La France!!!

[HysteryDiagnosis]

7. t's true that France's G.D.P. per person is well below that of the United

>>It's true that France's G.D.P. per person is well below that of the United States. But that's because French workers spend more time with their families.<<

Tell me what sort of airtime will this story get at the FR?? We should mass mail this to the wh and anyone else who used the term "Freedom Fries"..... I think that they are much easier on your "constitution" that "Greedom Fries".

[rfranklin]

8. France is far superior in two huge categories...

"But there are compensations for this lower level of consumption. Because French schools are good across the country, the French family doesn't have to worry as much about getting its children into a good school district. Nor does the French family, with guaranteed access to excellent health care, have to worry about losing health insurance or being driven into bankruptcy by medical bills."

Those two things would eliminate a huge weight from the shoulders of the middle class in the U.S.A.

[geckosfeet]

9. That weight is set there to keep the middle class where it belongs -

firmly at the feet of the mega-rich and in perpetual service of the corporate entities.

The republican ideal needs a slave class (read "middle class") to float its inequities. The slave class must believe that consumerism is the way to happiness in order for the economic enslavement agenda to succeed.

[fencesitter]

10. Since I don't get paid vacations..

I haven't had a vacation in seven years. I can't afford the loss of wages cause I need the bucks to pay my health insurance premiums.

[realFedUp]

11. Oui....sign me up. nt

[fishnfla]

12. 7 weeks of vacation/yr in US=higher murder and suicide rates

American families would be at each others' throats! ;)

[CrispyQ]

13. My last job, I asked for more vacation

to make up for the lower income I was accepting. They said fine & gave me 10 days. At my first review, I asked to take my raise in vacation hours. They said fine. The next year when I asked for the same they said no way -- the accounting department all wanted to do the same thing I did & they couldn't have a company wide request for time off over money.

When I left, after 2 years, I was getting 5 weeks & 3 days vacation a year!

[MasonJar]

14. Vive la France! I love the French. And I love Krugman's last line.