baer 🇪🇺🇩🇪 :
I did a little research. The average income in the US is $50,000–80,000, and in Germany it is $40,000–50,000. After deducting all fixed costs (taxes, duties, rent, transportation, etc.), approximately 40–50% remains in both countries for consumption (savings, insurances, shopping, etc.) – so roughly the same. Now here's the kicker: in Germany, health insurance (as well as pension, nursing care, and unemployment insurance) is mandatory, so in the above example, these are counted as fixed costs in Germany, whereas in the US, they are counted as consumption. A decent health insurance in the US for a family of four easily costs $25,000 per year (and there are still copays and deductibles). So if an American wanted to insure themselves and their family as well as in Germany, they would have about $5,000 left at the end of the year. In Germany, it would be about $14,000. So in the US, if you have a middle-class income, you basically have the choice between food or (good) health insurance. Maybe that’s what they call freedom over there. 😂 (I know that many US employers voluntarily cover a large portion of health insurance costs. But look: in Germany, employers also pay 50%. Mandatorily. By law. Even for minimum wage earners, part-time or marginal employees. Again: everyone here is always fully insured.) Other countries have different models, but it always boils down to the same thing: US citizens pay much more for significantly less service. 🤷♂
2025-09-29 06:23:16