On Sun, 19 Oct 2003 16:22:27 +0200, "Emmanuel Gustin"
wrote:

"BUFDRVR" wrote in message
...

example; fuel prices. The cost of both gas and diesel in Germany, France,
Luxemburg and Belgium was *3-4 times higher* than the average fuel prices
in
the US. Unless you can show me that the average EU citizen makes 3-4 times
more
than the average US citizen, you have a significant negative impact on
standard
of living.

It's a different balance, as the price difference in fuel is mostly
because of taxes, and therefore returns in the form of public
services. So fuel is more expensive, but e.g. health care is
cheaper and universal. It's all a matter of priorities. Fewer
people here can afford to drive a big SUV, but who really
needs one?

Western Europe is a more equalised society. Belgians pay more
taxes and have leass ready money to spend than Americans,
but in Belgium 4% of people lives below the povery line, in
the USA 12.7% (CIA figures). Belgians have a slightly longer
life expectancy than Americans, a lower infant mortality rate
at birth, and better education. The UN 'quality of life' ranking
puts Belgium just ahead of the USA (in 6th and 7th place), which
means that, all factors considered, there is little difference; its
more a choice of which factors to emphasize in public policy.

"Better education"? I don't recall a lot of Belgians winning the
latest round of Nobel Prized in physics, medicine, et al. Also note
that the US definition of the poverty rate is middle class in other
countries.

Al Minyard