Disclaimer: I know that there are people who exist and are lazy, but … America is not.
I recently saw an online asphalt forum contribution that asked simple and uncomplicated questions: “How many contractors expected to be too short for the 2025 season?”
The answers were anything but simple and uncomplicated. What is technically a “yes” or “no” question, and the person who published them did not mention anything with government policy, including immigration or deportation. But somehow each of hundreds of people who reacted to magical and universal to the post has understood that there is an undertext to the original question in which all of these topics were involved.
People consistently claim that the latest changes in the status of employees without papers and the increase in ice attacks and deportations would not affect their business. However, this was the dominant answers instead of leaving this that many wanted to add their conviction that it was more due to people's laziness if there was a reason for someone to be short.
A lonely, brave soul tried to explain that there is simply no numbers in the unemployed American workforce to fill all open jobs. He made the “mistake” to confront one of the greatest myths of American contemporary society (as well as one of the most effective and weapons of tools of capitalism). Let me explain why I call this a myth, even though you know for a fact that your son -in -law, who is son -in -law, is a lazy sob.
What the facts show: Top 10
Data procurement of the organization for economic co -cooperation and development, 2023.
- Mexico: 276 (8 -hour working days annually) = 2,207 hours. (AVG. Annual working hours per person)
- Costa Rica: 271 = 2,171 hours.
- Chile: 244 = 1,953 hours.
- Greece: 237 = 1,897 hours.
- Israel: 235 = 1,880 hours.
- South Korea: 234 = 1,872 hours.
- Canada: 233 = 1,865 hours.
- Poland: 225 = 1,803 hours.
- United States: 225 = 1,799 hours
- Czech Republic: 221 = 1,766
While you may find it disappointing that the United States ended up in 9th place on this list, you understand that our neighbors work over the pond in the United Kingdom only 191 working days a year, more than a whole month less than the Americans. Even Japan, which is often characterized by western media as a nation of workaholics that live under extremely high corporate expectations, only came on 201 working days, less than three weeks less than American workers. Germany was last on the list with 168 working days a year, which means that they work less two months less than American employees.
It could radicalize that the United States from all industrialized nations on this list of only guaranteed, state -paid payment vacation for employees of the private sector. Compare this with employees of the European Union who have at least 4 weeks of time paid. What does that mean? This means that Americans work far more hours than their closest colleagues in the international world, but the Americans also have a lower standard of living. This sentence is thrown around a lot, but it basically means that they work less but work more rewards per hour. They are paid more, they have better advantages, they have a universal health care, they have retirement security networks and generally pay less for the basic needs of life.
America is not lazy. But maybe America is sorry to work so much while in return they get so little. Not only low wages of employers, but the low standard of living from which they are surrounded. Maybe America sees the way things could be and starts to demand more. Perhaps the “largest country on earth” is ready to really claim this title for the 21st century. I know I'm ready too. See you on the street!