France

France is on the leading edge of what is happening to most European countries and that is simply they’re going broke. After 50 years of public assistance programs, they are unable to meet their commitments to the people and the people are upset. They have been through four Prime Ministers in one year as each tried to rein in spending and then got the boot. Once people receive a benefit, it is very difficult to take it back. Europeans not only work less than Americans they no longer innovate. They are being left behind. Over the past 10 years Europe has gone from producing 20% of the worlds GDP to 13%. Many public officials in the US would like to add more public programs but Europe should be an early warning.