| HN Mirror

I have the savings where I could quit my job, work odd fun part-time seasonal jobs, go traveling, focus on hobbies, focus on friends and family, and live a low stress generally relaxed life. Still live in my house, still drive my car.

I could probably swing this for maybe 5 years.

But after that?

I'd be very low on cash, missing valuable workplace skills, selling my home to downsize, and scrounging for money anywhere I could. Bad financial shape, and forced to give up all those great comforts.

This is what Europe has been doing, on a ~50 yr timescale. They are about 35 years into it, and the writing is on the wall. Euro leaders see it. Unfortunately for Europe, there is now a whole generation that only knows that laid back easy life. Meanwhile Europe needs to double defense spending (cut services) while fostering domestic technology development (cut taxes), all while having a top heavy population (guaranteed generous benefits). All the things necessary to stand on their own, with a hostile next door neighbor who desperately wants the former soviet lands back. And all the things that say "You need to work more for less".

If Europe doesn't get it together in the next 5-10 years, the EU will fracture, and there likely will be another European ground war.