You know, to be honest this makes me uneasy as well. Thanks.
I have a couple of questions about it though. Are we more upwardly mobile in the US in general, or is that a common misconception? I have felt that perhaps with a less socialistic economy, there was more of a chance for upward movement.
I'd love to hear your perspective.
It is definitely easier to get rich in the United States than almost anywhere else (I'd have to say the exception is Hong Kong). It is also easier to blow it all in the United States than anywhere else. It's part of liberty, and it's a strength of yours - what I fear is that the Democrats and to a lesser extent Republicans are increasingly talking about security instead of liberty. Witness the discussions on Medicare, and inaction on Social Security.
You don't want to be like Europe because you're not Europe. That means no expansion of welfare, no to guest workers (and similar frippery) and every time a politician says that he's going to make things "secure", American eyebrows should be raised.
That said, the one area I'd have to say that America is definitely more socialistic than Europe is income taxes: we pay more tax in Europe, but it's far less complicated. The IRS is a socialist's wet dream. Also, in Britain anyway, it's been made clear to the public that we'd better get our own damn pensions sorted out - more so than in the States, I think.
Regards, Ivan