Laurens Show: Overworked Americans and Ellen DeGeneres

[PurrGrrl]

Also what many Americans don't know is that many large companies we do business with everyday here in the US (including some supermarkets) are actually owned by people in Western Europe. We're being taken over by other countries 'cause they're smart enough to make sure their people are more productive (by getting enough rest, vacation breaks, adequate medical care, etc.) and adequately educated. The US is headed toward 3rd world status. It's really a shame.

[PurrGrrl]

Yes, and European countries are moving ahead of the US because they value their human resources more. They're ahead of us in terms of education because they provide free or low-cost higher education to their people. And the Scandinavian countries w/their democratic-socialist safety nets are ahead of us in entrepreneurship. Yep, more ppl starting up small businesses there 'cause they can take the risk as they know the safety nets will be there should their small business not make it right away.

[serenecelene]

I am studying abroad (crossing my fingers) for the second time...i hate the United States because of this. I work, go to school, and am so burned out...Dont even mention the benefits available in other countries: free health care, good public transit, better culture/unity, less ghetto trash, maids for cheap, long lunches, yadee yah.

[serenecelene]

omg thank you so much for this video. I am a junior in college, and studied abroad as a junior in high school -- I was so happy, and always look back on those days. I feel like this is a very undiscussed topic..which most ppl avoid or are ignorant about. Ive known around 100 exchange students who came here expecting it to be like in the movies -- HA! I live in a Cali beach town and its still not like that for long. They always end up shocked at the "lazy american lifestyle"...NOT being so lazy!

[futrNHLstar10]

ohhhh emmm geeee im soooooo hard!

[Gunnar125]

I dont think this is only a problem for Americans. It's also a problem for many Europeans. Would feel good to be included in things like this :P

[Rockynurse]

@Gunnar125

No Europeans are just lazy so they complain!

[Gunnar125]

Eh? I guess youve never been to Europe.

[Rockynurse]

@Gunnar125

So I guess you like to make assumptions. If you are a European you are a lower class one. My mother is french and I have family in several countries in Europe!

Europe's economy is so tightly regulated and subsidized it is a wonder that they produce anything over there. I mean they give mothers paid maternity leave under law and tightly regulate hours worked.

Europe is a nation of weaklings!

[Gunnar125]

That shows how much you know about Europe. Europe is not a nation. Its a continent consisting of many nations different in culture, language and race.

[Rockynurse]

@Gunnar125

Shut up Swede! The average hours worked in Sweden is 36.4! You are lazy! It is freaking illegal in sweden to work more than 48!

I am 21 years old and I work well over 70 hours a week.

Like I said Europeans are week and soft!

[Gunnar125]

Really? I work 72 hours a week as most other swedes do. Like I said. Youve never been to Europe nor Sweden. So you obviously have no clue to what youre talking about. If you had been here, you would know were one of the most overworked people in the world with the highest tax pressure. We also have 15% none working immigrants that give us a false image in statistics.

So shut the fuck up and turn your eyes to your own lazy people. You drink fat and eat sugar u poor schmucks. I feel sorry for you.

[Rockynurse]

I know it is a continent it is called a typo. Critique a misuse and not my claim huh?

In sweden you have government mandated vacations and a long maternity leave. We don't get these. Come here and work for a corporation!

Seriously come here!

Do you work? How many hours do you work?

[Gunnar125]

Yes. After a child is born the mother has the right to stay at home with a paid salary. Are you jeaolous or something?

Taking care of ones children to make sure they grow up into good efficient people is extremely important. And yes I work. I take it you didnt read the other message. Take your time.

[Rockynurse]

@Gunnar125

Actually my fiance has EU citizenship and I have been considering doing my MBA in Sweden. The taxes over there are terrible though. I am an accountant and if you play your cards right here you can pay very little taxes!

[Gunnar125]

If youre gonna do your MBA here you better hurry up. Its still free, but soon you will have to pay a lot for studying here.

Paying my taxes is the best thing I know, because I know it helps to keep up the high living standard in the country. Paying little, means I contribute little. I wouldnt wanna move to the US for the world.

[chrisw40]

you suck!

[gastronomist]

But how are people going to afford to buy all that stuff they don't need unless they work all the time?

[dpcilley]

That is the cause of overwork. Society has set the minimum standard of living so high that in order to "survive" households must have two incomes, more TVs than people, etc.

[blumac81]

So true; I also believe that overworked Americans are more prone to drug use and commiting violent crime.

[annaVICIOUS]

What about overweight americans?

[HoldinCoffee]

HI. First time viewer, so you may have covered this, but have you read "Ishmael" by Daniel Quinn? If not, it frames your point nicely... not that you need any help, just a thought. Ok.