[stanski]

It always amazes me that even poor European countries have better maternity leave provisions than the richest country in the world.

[martin_bech]

The US is the riches country in the world. The US cannot afford basic healthcare for all. One of these sentences most be wrong.

[spamizbad]

The US loves to burn the furniture to heat the cabin, then pat itself on the back for reducing heating costs.

[_2d30]

Yes, the "cannot" is factually incorrect.

[ratboy666]

No. You have to define how a country can be rich. And what "basic healthcare" is. And what "for all" means.

A country cannot be rich. Its people can be. If you have a definition that differs, we can discuss. I am going to avoid "basic healthcare" for now. We can discuss "for all". Does that mean for people born in the country? Or does it really mean "for all people"?

FredW

[Pfhreak]

Wealth per person, healthcare that covers all medical needs (preventative care, illness, injury, end of life care dental, vision) but not all elective needs (some cosmetic surgeries, etc), and for all means all humans within the borders.

[jsjddbbwj]

That's why they are poor.

[philjohn]

And yet consistently polled as being far happier. Turns out, when you have your basic needs cared for, can afford a house, to travel, the latest gadget ... well, the rest is just pretty pointless and doesn't buy you any additional happiness.

[jsjddbbwj]

I agree but that's not what we were comparing here.

[oaiey]

Most European countries are not poor. Not at all. By any definition. However, European countries typically do not encourage regless forms of capitalism (consequently reducing the GDP) and also consider the social aspects of public spending more important than the military ones.