I nhave lived all over Europe for a total of 31 years. The cost of living in Iceland and Norway is incredible. Taxes are still enormeous compared to the US
I see what you mean.
A normally intelligent person in the US will, by working hard, soon aquire a very good standard of living. In many parts of Europe this is much harder (because working hard means you’re supporting Capitalism).
While Scandinavians admire the Southern Europeans from many perspectives, we Northerners think the European Union is in for some major reshaping.
Germany and France will listen to us.