GDP per capita is a poor measure of standard of living. The US has the lowest income taxes and the lowest prices in the Western World.

Standard of Living measured by what our net after tax income will buy at US prices gives us a far higher standard of living than any other country in Europe. 40% of Europeans have a standard of living lower than Americans living at our poverty line.

I have walked the neighborhoods in most major cities in Europe and it is laughable that they claim to have a higher standard of living than us.

What idiocy. It tries to gloss over "Although this is partly due to the current strength of the pound against the dollar," but that is THE reason. Freshman macro teaches that purchasing power parity is an important measure, not just exchange rates. That's why "$2 a day" for the Third World isn't as bad as it seems. Not to say that they aren't poor, but for things produced using a particular region's currency, prices adjust to reflect buyers' willingness and ability to pay.

You have an excellent point, Jake. Average domicile area is larger for Americans than Europeans, measured against comparable incomes. Of course, people who live in more cramped spaces tend to need more vacation time, so that they can feel like they're getting away.

Just think... If we had just stuck with the British Empire in 1776, we'd have a capitalism-based world government by now and wouldn't have to mess around with the UN.

Untrue. The Europeans have a WAY higher standard of living then we do (unless you live in Hewlett or Scarsdale...)

There is plenty of poverty still ongoing in the UK according to the latest stats. My ability to buy a house has greatly diminished in the last 10 years, even though my salary has risen (IMO) quite nicely. Good job I bought when the prices were lower (Like 25% of what I would pay today).
Lots of people I meet enjoy a trip to the USA with this exchange rate, and they don't risk riots like at our ones!

hf, you made an assertion: now back it up. By what basis do you make your claim? Mine is documented. Residential sizes in Europe and the U.S. are very unequal, income for income, in favor of the latter.

Or, you can stop smoking your own shit, and then tell me the last time 15,000 elderly Americans died during a heat wave -- because most of the doctors were on a month-long holiday that government policies made into a tradition. It's not just France (which Muslims have turned into "The land of the burning synagogue") with problems either. There exist many examples of American life versus that idyllic European socialism.

http://cafehayek.typepad.com/hayek/2007/06/an-anecdote-o-1.html

http://cafehayek.typepad.com/hayek/2005/04/do_scandinavian.html

It's documented that cancer survival in Europe is more grim than in America. The infamous TB carrier later said that he was sure he'd die if he had sought care in Europe. So much for egalitarian health care: everybody dies equally, and sooner. Oh, you might say that Americans must "pay" for their health care, ignoring the fact that socialized medicine's payment comes through taxes, which receive a very poor return at that. By contrast, under free-market capitalism where you pay voluntarily for something, you want it to be good.