Why do Americans, on average, get 2 weeks of vacation?
Americans get so little vacation because it's not mandated by law, and companies take advantage of this. They lose productivity when an employee is gone on holiday. It's also the company's responsibility to cover health insurance costs not passed on to the employees (often a fairly large amount), and there are other various costs they pay out not covered by regular taxing. Thus, for business, it makes sense to get the most work out of employees as possible. As an American in Europe, I have to say I'm not stuck with anything negative. The houses in Norway aren't tiny, even by American standards, and there's no need for such excess anyway. Cars here aren't tiny either, but I walk and cycle instead of drive, it's healthier and better for the environment (and the most convenient option in many European cities). The seeming fear of socialized medicine in the US is a laugh. The systems in Europe aren't perfect, but people don't die here because they can't afford the treatment they need. Most countries have a private health system as well, so the choice is still there. High taxes don't prevent me from having a comfortable life, and with nearly free university education and healthcare, I'd say the difference is more than made up for. Norwegian salaries are among the highest in the world, and for most jobs, earnings are much higher than the US even after taxes. And in addition to low-cost education and healthcare, all parents receive benefits to help pay the costs of having children, maternity care is free (and maternity/paternity leave gives parents almost a year of full salary to split between them), and there's no burden on families for the healthcare/caretaking aspect when someone gets sick or so old they can't care for themselves. The US is very materialistic compared to anywhere I've lived in Europe, where the focus is more on family, friends and enjoying simpler pleasures in life. For the reasons you mention and many more, I would never consider returning to the US unless massive changes were to occur. I enjoy my happier, less stressful, more fulfilling life here in Norway too much.
How much did Obama's vacations cost the taxpayers compared to previous U.S. presidents?
Well, lets turn this around and answer this way…what is the cost of Trump’s travel vs Obama’s travelAccording to Forbes, Trump cost in one month was almost as much as Obama in an entire year.Trump on pace to surpass 8 years of Obama's travel spending in 1 yearAccording to CNN (and others), Trump is on pace to spend in his first year in office, MORE than Obama spent in this entire 8 years in office.Trump on pace to surpass 8 years of Obama's travel spending in 1 yearRemember it was Trump who derided Obama has the “vacationer in chief”Oh, don’t forget that when he visit’s Mar-a-Lago, taxpayer dollars are ultimately back in Trump’s pocket since he, ya know, owns the resort.But, your question was regarding previous presidentsPrior to Clinton, only days are available … no cost figures.
Why is the Obama Administration calling Social Security an Entitlement?
Social Security IS NOT an entitlement Remember, not only did you contribute to Social Security but your employer did too. It totaled 15% of your income before taxes. If you averaged only $30K over your working life, that's close to $220,500. If you calculate the future value of $4,500 per year (yours & your employer's contribution) at a simple 5% (less than what the govt. pays on the money that it borrows), after 49 years of working you'd have $892,919.98. If you took out only 3% per year, you'd receive $26,787.60 per year and it would last better than 30 years (until you're 95 if you retire at age 65) and that's with no interest paid on that final amount on deposit! If you bought an annuity and it paid 4% per year, you'd have a lifetime income of $2,976.40 per month. The folks in Washington have pulled off a bigger Ponzi scheme than Bernie Madhoff ever had. Entitlement my ***, I paid cash for my social security insurance!!!! Just because they borrowed the money, doesn't make my benefits some kind of charity or handout!! Congressional benefits ---- free healthcare, outrageous retirement packages, 67 paid holidays, three weeks paid vacation, unlimited paid sick days, now that's welfare, and they have the nerve to call my social security retirement entitlements? We're "broke" and can't help our own Seniors, Veterans, Orphans, Homeless In the last months we have provided aid to Haiti , Chile , and Turkey . And now Pakistan ......home of bin Laden. Literally, BILLIONS of DOLLARS!!! Our retired seniors living on a 'fixed income' receive no aid nor do they get any breaks while our government and religious organizations pour Hundreds of Billions of $$$$$$'s and Tons of Food to Foreign Countries! They call Social Security and Medicare an entitlement even though most of us have been paying for it all our working lives and now when it’s time for us to collect, the government is running out of money. Why did the government borrow from it in the first place? Imagine if the *GOVERNMENT* gave 'US' the same support they give to other countries. Sad isn't it?
Brother's girlfriend is coming on family vacation, what do I do?
My brother is 17 and his girlfriend is 16. My parents randomly decided that we were going on a family vacation for the next week and my brother asked if he could bring his girlfriend. They have been dating for 7 months and he already wants to propose to her which is why my parents said that she could come. They planned and paid for everything without asking me and my other four siblings if we cared if the gf came along. I personally don't think she should come since it is a family vacation and she isn't family. It's not that I don't like her, in fact I think she is a very sweet girl, I just think it isn't right for someone who isn't family to go on our vacation. I also think I'm the only one in my family who feels this way. What do I do?
Obama wants school days to be 3 hours longer? School on weekends? No summer break?
That's what I'm hearing. http://news.aol.com/article/more-school-... What's your opinion on this? and please state whether or whether not your a student and if this'll affect you. I'm in my sophomore year and I personally feel overworked the way things are now! I have about 2-3 hours of homework after school on average. (English, History, Biology, Math, Japanese ect ect) If school starts getting out at 5:00 pm, then if I add my 2-3 hours of homework, that means that I have school work from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm 13 HOURS OF WORK! For a kid! and he wants us to have a lot more days too....less summer break and weekends. God, I hope this doesn't happen! D'=
Why do so many people hate obama even they they voted for him?
it's in our DNA to hate anyone as soon as they become successful