Quote:
Originally posted by Superman
Germany is heavily unionized. Their living standards are high. Their wages and benefits are high. They make a range of cars, some of which compete with the Asian automotive blitzkreig. And they make some cars that compete with the finest cars Asia can muster. And then some. They don't make cheap cars so much as they make good cars.
America is getting its ass kicked up one side of this planet and down the other. So.........
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Let's throw some data at the subject:
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity
USA - - $40,100 (2004 est.)
Germany - - $28,700 (2004 est.)
So, no, they don't make as much as we do.
Unemployment rate
USA - around 5% and getting better
Germany - 10.6% (2004)
Benefits? They do get more vacation (4-6 weeks vs 3-5 weeks here), Medical is Nationalized, taxes are higher and you have to register with the local mayor when you move. One of my companies counterparts to me in Germany earns about 2/3rds what I do and pays a higher percentage income tax. We compared property taxes (about the same taxes, but his house value is lower). I would guess his disposable income is close to 1/2 of mine. We have the same title and job function.
His medical benefits on paper are better (100%) but they have waiting lists, etc for procedures and long waits when they go for care.
They have similar illegal immigration issues and a secondary problem with legal immigrants who are "German Citizens" but not "German". A lot of those people are from Turkey.
So, no, Germany has it's problems too. But, it's the best of the Bunch in Europe.