Sunday, September 04, 2016
The American Worker
In honor of Labor Day, click on the title link and read this article about the American worker and leave your comments. "American workers stay longer in the office, at the factory or on the farm than their counterparts in Europe and most other rich nations, and they produce more per person over the year." Is the price of being the worlds number one economy too high. Your comment needs to be a minumum of 50 words.
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93 comments:
As someone who has lived around two different economies, I do believe the price of being the number one economy is a bit high for what we are getting out of it. Sure we produce the most per person in the world. However We've lost an important part of America. It's supposed to be the land of the free but we've become slaves of our jobs and of the economy.. And although it may be great to be viewed as one of the richest countries, it's sad to see that the prices paid for this title are not worth what we have lost in our lives for it.
I believe that the price of being the number one economy is pretty high. Workers don't get many paid leaves and we work majority of the time that we are awake. Because of working so much, we all deal with stress and that is the number one cause of health problems. But not only that, we don't even get to spend time with family because all we are doing is working. We miss out on the opportunity to spend time with our loved ones just because we want to get paid or not get fired. We work till we drop and I don't believe that it's healthy for any of us to do that. Yeah we become one of the richest countries, but that doesn't mean that we forget about everything else. Our lives don't revolve around work.
Laura Rezmer-Cooper
The price of being the world's number one economy is too high. Being a child of someone who is constantly working and jetting off to another or country or state is hard. My parents work, work, work, and generally don't get time for anything else. We as Americans have lost sight of what is truly the most important thing, family. Having the best economy and work rate of any country in the world might be great, but is it so great at the cost of losing time with the ones we love the most. Americans don't get any paid leave to have a baby. Mothers are losing valuable time with their newborns for such a high rate. Does money really buy happiness? No amount of money can buy time with family. America needs to dial the hours back, and really focus on whats important, time and family.
After reading the article, I believe the price of the world's number one economy is too high.Workers are working so hard every hour of the day. They are dedicated to their job that it consumes the personal time one has to themselves.Parents have to work hard to pay for their children, and are also required to raise a family but are not allowed parental leave benefit.These workers do their job for more than 40 hours per week which effects the stress level causing health problems. There is not even a law that helps a worker out if they are ill because paid sick days don't exist. The economy may be good but workers push themselves to save their position, and they push themselves too much sometimes it's not worth it.I believe that though the reward of working is good, people still need to be happy and if that means that they should take time off or limit their work load they should because life will eventually pass them up in the work haul.
Rizna Noorani
Period 2
In my opinion the price of being the worlds number one economy is intact too high. I feel like many times family life is over looked because people want to make money and make that their goal. In many households both parents work in order to provide for the family. Although this means that they be earning more money, it also means that the parents tend to neglect their children. Many a time kids are left at home alone or with baby sitters while their parents work. I feel like this shouldn't be the lifestyle of more than half of America.
I don't believe the price of being the world's number one economy is too high, because compared to other countries American workers get paid more than the people who work the same jobs in underdeveloped countries. For example, in India people with doctorate degrees work many hours and gets paid less than an American nurse who works half the amount of hours. In America we have a choice between working many hours or settling for less hours. People have a choice between working many hours or spending that time with their family, friends, or engaging in other activities. But we Americans love money too much. In other countries people don't get paid as much for their work like the American people. We could literally graduate out of high school and land a minimum wage job and afford a car, apartment, food, and decent clothing. But we choose to work more, so we can earn more. I don't believe we should complain about something we have a say in.
The price of being the worlds economy is not high at all. Imagine if Americans were to work less hours nationwide, everything we live for would essentially plummet because our productivity would gradually be decreasing. We're paying just the right price for our standards of living. The things we want and need in our country must be worked for, so we shouldn't lower our bar and start complaining and comparing to other countries because their process of working is accommodated to their way of life.
Minnu Augustine
Period 2
We have always heard everything comes with a price, and there is a definite price that we pay for being the number one economy in the world. Like the article said, we tend to think that we are the norm when it comes to working, but really we are the outliers. Compared to other countries, we are not getting back in paid vacation hours what we put in for longer work hours to earn the vacation. We have been taught through society to work and keep working, but the toll an occupation takes on all aspects of someone’s life and others they share their life with, are simply too high. We are likely prioritizing work because it is the source of income, but to be well-rounded individuals in a competitive economic system, we should take a break when necessary.
i personally believe that Americans working so many hours is actually a good thing. if we were to stop working 40 plus hours a week our economy would begin a downward spiral and that would affect us greatly. no one is forcing people to work 40 plus hours a week. so for those who put family time over their income can cut back on hours, however they would regret it in the long run. lastly the more we work the greater the economy. due to this we can proudly say that we have the best economy in the world, and that's thanks to our hard working citizens.
The price of being the world's number one economy in the way of workers staying longer at their such as offices , farms, factories etc is not worth. Most adults who spend their time in these places lose a bunch of factors that make up a stable life style. Stress can cause a bunch of negative things that overall just weaken the person physically, mentally is also affected when the period life moments such as family events or academic goals are interrupted just because they have to stay at their job just for the nation to recieve that title
Nicole Aguilar, 4th Period, AP Economics.
Honestly, despite the fact my parents work so many hours a year and how I barely get to see them at all throughout my day, I don't think the price of having the largest economy is too high. My parents make so much money every year because not only are they hard workers, but they are in positions of authority in their job. We pay for bills on time, we are already planning to move into a bigger and better house because of how much my parents make, and my parents get average days off too, which isn't bad at all! I suppose I'm a little biased, but for people who work full-time and don't get a wink of sleep, I do see how being the highest economy in the world can seem not so worth it, but with so many people having jobs, a place to live, and the luxury of food and possessions, I'd say the positives do outweigh the negatives in this situation.
I do not believe that the cost of being the number one economy is too high. Although Americans work more hours and get less compensated time, the United States is the most productive nation in the world as a result. This gives the US a needed advantage over the the more populated China and India and helps to push industry and research further for the country to stay competitive contenders as leaders in other fields as well.
This is definitely a hard choice to make. Being a near perfect economy is quite an achievement, but I don't believe that working ourselves to death is quite worth that. Especially when you consider the fact that the average american does not even get to see much of the benefits of their hard work. When so many other countries have found ways to make paid vacation and holidays work, and still keep a high standard of living then there really seems to be no reason that the US can not as welll
I do believe that the cost of being the number one economy is too high. American life revolves around the workplace, but more hours only leads to more stress and creates more problems. Being economically superior to the rest of the world is definitely a good characteristic but it comes with too many social drawbacks.
As a child of a parent who works all day, often overtime and extra days, I do see the price of being the world’s largest economy as too high. One is stressed all the time and constantly worries about having to take unpaid off days if one of us ends up sick, or in recent cases within my family, in the hospital. My other parent has gone through the ruthless process of being laid off and unemployed. Though our country thrives amongst others, most have lost sight in the fact that working all the time is not ideal. We as a country need a balance to where people can live happy and healthy while keeping jobs.
I believe that the price of being the world's number one economy is too high. Workers rarely get to spend time with their kids, do not as much sick/vacation days as they should, and work excessively long hours. People deserve some extra time off to spend time with their families and relax. In my opinion, having an exceedingly good economy is not worth people becoming stressed and overworked. Health conditions, such as depression, could arise due to stress, and family problems, such as divorce, arise because of the fact that the husband/wife is never home. Working too much is not a good thing. Money can't buy happiness.
Vanessa Marcano
Period 2
Being the number 1 economy in the world has a price which is too high. Though it is good that we are able to produce more, we have lost many key things to just living an everyday life. We work for less money with a high risk for stress and the hours we work are too high for some of these jobs. We need to focus on what really matters in life which is family and living life.
I believe being the number one economy does have its high costs. Many people have to work 24/7 and not even get paid as much as they should. Children can't see their parents as much as they should because they have to work and provide for them as on the contrary the money that thier earning ends up going back to the government for taxes and other ways to keep themselves stable in life such as insurance. Yes it's good that our economy is booming and unemployment has gone down tremendously but the great cost it takes away from the people is even more horrific
Alyssa Martinez
Period 4
Honestly, I think the America people have advantages the Europeans and British don't. Japan also the works way more than all of us, honestly you get what you work for. Meaning if you want more money then work more hours and also it's about education. You wouldn't have to work so many hours if you had a good job, and good job comes from a good education. Yes we have less vacation than Europe but they also work way more. This is u fortunate for the ones who have low paying jobs and work a lot of works with kids and families.
I believe that living in the worlds highest economy has its cons. We lost sight on what's really important because we prioritize work, which isn't bad but it shouldn't have to interfere with things like family. Living in a high economy can be very stressful as well because of taxes, or whether you'll still have your job the next day. It's unpredictable and anything can happen.
Yes, being the number one economy in the world has a high price. It impacts families, especially due to the fact that both parents are working now. The quality time with family is now being reduced, and many families cannot enjoy each others time as much as they used too. Also, with little vacation time being allotted, it causes for an unbalance relationship between work and life. There is now no time to recuperate from a weeks worth of working. For example, my family back in Europe are given 2 months off of work,by doing so it allows for the families to actually be able to spend time with one another, and gives the parents a chance to relax and refresh their brains before starting back to work.
ill argue that the ideology of economic growth itself is flawed, Growth is no longer sustainable – dedevelopment is key to prevent mass famine and extinction from climate change
Hickel 15 (Jason Hickel, PhD, specialist on globalization, anthropologist at the London School of Economics. “Forget 'developing' poor countries, it's time to 'de-develop' rich countries”, 9/23/15. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2015/sep/23/developing-poor-countries-de-develop-rich-countries-sdgs) //wzhu
this article basically argues how we are having a crisis of overproduction , and dedevelopment of the economy that is the total collapse of it is a neccessary prerequisite , not doing so risks mass starvation and extinction through the same mechanism
The price of being the world's number one economy is way too high. All the hard work that American's put in everyday is pointless if you aren't able to enjoy what you've earned. Maybe everything would get better if people had more benefits and more paid vacations. Maybe people would work even harder and be less stressed and the quality of people's lives would improve. Having greater benefits would allow everyone to focus on what they find important and take a break from the demanding workplace.
I don't think the cost of being the world's number one economy is too high. After all, you get what you put in and many Americans could easily afford the simple luxuries in life by working a minimum wage job; however most have determined that they want more out of life, so they put in more hours to reap more benefits. There are sacrifices that have to be made, but that is something that all countries with successful economies generally go through. For instance, Japanese women have been foregoing having kids in favor of furthering their careers, bringing the Japanese birthrate to an all-time low. I don't necessarily agree with this, considering that a lower birthrate and shrinking population can lead to detrimental effects on the economy, but this is an example of the personal sacrifices made in order to keep our economy number one.
The price of being the number one economy is not high, rather it is exactly what it should be. The brutal engine of progress and innovation requires the sacrifice of social pillars like the family and vacation. This is the great experiment our Founding Father's envisioned for this country: every man having the power to pursue his freedom through work. The author of the article believes somehow that man is entitled to act on his lethargic nature. Never has begging achieved what toil and sweat have. Our culture of consumerism through self-improvement is what make America great. Our culture of consumerism is what makes America dominant. America is the New Rome, but instead of warfare as a means of expanding our empire, we have companies like Coca-Cola to spread our culture for us. The millions of workers for our corporations are doing their country a civil service by sacrificing their social lives for the American Empire.
The price to pay for being the number one economy in the world is not too high depending on who you ask. For those living at the top one percent, the price is not too high because they are reaping the benefits of America having the number one economy. However, for middle class Americans who feel a though they have to constantly work to stay ahead financially, the price may be too high to pay. One benefit of Americans working for so long and hard and maintaining the number one economy spot is being able to capitalize on the economy for personal endeavors. Because America has such a booming economy, it is easier for individuals with a new idea or invention or the will to be an author to put work into those projects and excel at them. For me seeing my parents and relatives succeed in opening different business and pursuing different projects because the economy in America is booming, whereas they probably would not be as successful in their country of origin, makes me believe that the price to pay for a booming economy is not too high.
The price to pay for being the number one economy in the world is not too high. The reason America has the reputation it does is because of the amount of hours we work and the dedication we have to our jobs. if we worked less we would also have less of the things that we would do. As Americans, we also spend more money per person than anyone else and this is largely because of our large and booming economy. In order to keep having the things that we need and want, Americans will have to keep working long hours and tough shifts to get what we want.
The price to pay for being the number one economy in the world is not too high. The reason America has the reputation it does is because of the amount of hours we work and the dedication we have to our jobs. if we worked less we would also have less of the things that we would do. As Americans, we also spend more money per person than anyone else and this is largely because of our large and booming economy. In order to keep having the things that we need and want, Americans will have to keep working long hours and tough shifts to get what we want.
James Ware 4th Period
The price to be number one in anything is always high, it is a choice for whoever is looking to reach it to ask is it worth it. I would say that most American workers do not work over 40 hours a week to stay in lead in the world economy rather they do it for the paycheck. It wouldn't cripple the America's position if companies were required to give paid leave to new parents or sick days. The Atlantic did a study that large corporations employees spend only 45% of their 9 hour work day on primary job duties. It may not hurt the company if they were to spend some of that time somewhere else instead of staying their wasting time.
Palak Patel
Per. 2
I believe that the price to pay for being the number one economy in the world is not too high for most Americans. The overall economy is already high because of the many people that live here. considering the accommodations in the world right now, the price is reasonable. I understand that the price may be too high for the lower class people of economy today. It costs a lot to be a American anyways, so the economy has to be stable with everyone else's expenses as well so therefore, the price is not too high.
Yash Bindal
Period:6
I do not believe that having more working hours is too steep a price to pay for being the world's number one economy. As the article itself mentions, as a result of its long work hours, America is the most productive company per capita. This combined with a massive populate lead to an astronomical output. When this is further compounded by generally business-friendly policies allow American corporations and, by extension, America itself, to lead the world in research across the board. America's research benefits not only American citizens but the world as a whole as both gain access to cheaper, better, or more varied products. Furthermore, workers in America do have the choice to control their work schedule. If American workers wish to prioritise family over money, they have the option to choose part-time work, entrepreneurship or going into more worker friendly industries. Finally, I believe that there is probably some correlation between America's output and its employment. While workers in the Eurozone do enjoy a more relaxed work schedule, the Eurozone has a sitting unemployment rate of roughly 10.1%. The last time America had an unemployment rate this high was during the "Great Recession."
Erik Lopez
Period 6;
Working more hours each week is not a steep price for being the number one economy in the world, especially since the United State's economy has allowed the market to grow globally with outsourcing and still holds the title for the most productivity as the article mentioned. The article mentions multiple times how the united states doesn't have paid vacations or sick days compared to other countries as federal laws, but it allowed more production input and for people to allow themselves to ask for less hours to reduce stress (even without pay) and have more of a choice in how your everyday life plays out.
The price of being the number one economy in the world is definitely too high. Although America has the best economy globally, the lifestyle in other countries, particularly those in Europe, are much better than that of the US. With many people who work over 70 hours each week, many do not have much time to do much else and contributing to the wasteful consumer culture that America is known for. I think the US gov. has been bias towards corporations while neglecting the needs of American workers.
Victor Varghese
Period-2
Yes I think the price of being the worlds number one economy is too high. The percentage of Americans own home is decreasing each year on 2014, 67.3 owned home and in 2015 only 62.2 are owning home. The price of all material in america is increasing but the minimum wage same. People are not able to save lot of money because of their expenses. As someone lived in another country I think People with family have least chance to save money because only their daily need can be satisfied through their income. The more working time are creating a new culture where social relationships are not so strong in communities and families.
6th period
I believe that the price of being the world's number one economy is too high. With the extensive job requirements, people are unable to have any time or themselves or their families. People have no time to relax, instead, they spend every waking minute worried about their job. I think if the United States continues to overwork the workers, the people's quality of work will decrease. If people are not allowed ample time for resting, obviously there will be repercussions. Of course, there are the American ideals of "nothing comes without hard work," but the United States should provide more benefits for the people's hard work.
The price of being the world’s number one economy is too high. The United States overworks their workers and it leads to a host of problems including emotional and physical distress. There are ways the United states can stay on top without putting their workers at such a disadvantage. People in the U.S work so hard that they neglect their families and often grow up valuing the wrong things. Due to the high cultural value of money that has stemmed from constantly trying to be on top, people think money is the answer to everything and it’s not. The cost of being number one is something that I personally don’t think is worth paying.
After reading this article, I do in fact believe that the price is too high. Why would one want to act as a slave at their job and produce enough but not have the free time to enjoy what they earned? People of the United States end up over working themselves and frankly it doesn't benefit the people's hard work. instead it leaves them wondering if they will ever get a chance to have some quality family time or peace away from work. So yes, the price is entirely too high and downright unfair.
Period 6
Ashley Crumbaker
Period 2
Mervin Cherian
I believe the price is too high. Our time is worth more than just to go to work. One thing we are losing is our family bond when both adults work over 40 hours a week. America has no federal law like others to give sick leave, annual leave and other benefits. It is as if we are working as slaves. It does not matter if we become sick, all that matters is that America has the best economy. Compared to other countries we are not being treated well and not cared for.
The price of the economy is high but seems obvious as to what the price is. If you want to be the world's #1 economy you got to work... It shouldn't come to a surprise that America is the best economy. Look at Europe, they basically are not working at all! Even though we are working "too much" look at our prize! We are number one! If people don't agree with that, then they can move to Europe. Im glad that America is the best economy but after reading that information i'm not shocked. If you work hard, you get to play hard.
Abraham Mebarkia
Period 2
The price of having the number one working economy is too high because most people who do their jobs do not enjoy them. Maybe some of these people do not dislike them, but they definitely do not like them either. Compared to other countries, we also do not get as good benefits for sick leave, annual leave, etc. Also, in families that both parents work, it seems as if the only time they spend time with each other on the weekdays is after dinner. A person's family life, hobbies, and other things he/she enjoys are all being taken away to sustain the world's number one economy. In the end, it's not worth it.
America is the hardest working country in the world by far. America also has the highest standard of living in the world. The way I see it, you have to work for what you want. So in other words, Americans work hard in order to maintain the highest standard of living. I feel as if you are working at a job you enjoy, it is very rewarding to work as hard as you can at it. Yes, there are no laws requiring paid sick days or vacation, but many companies still offer these benefits. In conclusion, the thing that makes America stand out is its hard work ethic, and its no coincidence that the hardest working country also has the highest standard of living
Farrah Au-Yeung, 4th period
As we learn in economics, the value or price of an item or service depends on how much others are willing to pay for it. Since there are both advantages and disadvantages of working longer hours, the cost of being the strongest economy depends on who it is. I believe that such a system will benefit the older generation, especially those who have retired, as they don't have to endure the lack of employment benefits or long working hours yet still reap the advantages of being in a strong economy. They get to enjoy better social welfare and invest in a healthier market. On the other hand, the working class, especially those in the middle and lower income classes, are the ones who suffer most and bear the highest cost from the productivity of the economy. Although the country's economy is stronger, these workers are often sleep-deprived and under high levels of stress, without adequate opportunities to take a break or go on holidays because they are so caught into their work. They are devoid of rest or family time and these things might take a toll on their personal lives as they continue to contribute to the economy.
I believe that the cost depends on whether one values the economy's productivity or personal time more. Personally, I think that the cost is rather high since American people are giving up too much of their personal time and devoting their free time to work. Although this ensures that our economy is stable and the unemployment rate is low, Americans don't get to enjoy the lower stress levels or work benefits that many other developed countries give to their citizens. Companies should proactively offer work leaves and holidays while making sure that their employees do not feel obligated to sacrifice their quality/personal time in order to lower the cost of keeping America's economy strong. With these added benefits, America can continue to flourish while allowing its working force to enjoy lower stress levels.
Milen Thomas (6th period)
Period 6
I believe that the cost is not to high because being the worlds best economy isn't just a title , it comes with all the hard work and time the American people are putting forth. Yes , people are working too hard and not having anytime for their family or any other activities but that's a choice not an obligation.
Arnold Joseph
per.2
After reading this interesting article, I believe that the cost of having the number one economy is not too high because even though the average american workers work much more than the other developed countries and do all this without as much paid leaves as the other countries, its just what has to be done in order to be better than the other developed nations.there are disadvantages, such as less time to spent with your family and having a lot more stress.but considering the great reward that comes along with this, the price is not too high.
I believe that the price of being the world’s number one economy is too high. US workers work way more hours that the workers of other countries- which negatively affects their health. Unfortunately, people are more focused on working and making money rather than spending time with their loved ones. Yes, America is the most hard working country by far, but there has to be a balance between work and life itself.
Period 4
Coming from the point of view of an unemployed high school student, I personally cannot answer this question without having to look more in-depth the economy of the US. I can, however, agree to some extent that the American workforce has gone too far as being the world's number one economy. From the article, the writer did prove that the American workforce has gone out of hand when compared to other economies. We can state for a fact that the American economy is number one, but, as imperfect human beings, we try too hard to stay on top. Instead of recognizing our position, we neglect it as if there was a position greater than number one.
I feel like the high productivity of the workers in America is what drives not only the American economy, but also the world economy. Since people here work so hard, America is able to engage in more trade with many more countries. This fact can be seen as a positive in the sense that the world economy will continue to prosper and help traders around the world. On the other hand, working many long hours does have an impact on social life and mental health. We as humans are meant to have meaningful interactions between other humans, not sit at a desk for hours everyday. Overall, I believe that working more hours has both its pros and its cons, just like any other decision we make in life.
Dennis Laison
Period 2
Zain Bhai Period 2
The price that American workers have to pay is not too high. In order to be the number one economy in the world, we have to put in a lot of hard work and dedication to what we are doing. Our reputation is the way it is because of the long hours that our workers are known for. Yes, working less would benefit a worker in their personal life, but you have to look at the bigger picture, this is about our country's economic state. Americans also spend more on themselves than other citizens in other countries do, and we would not be able to afford our own lifestyles if we shortened our work week. The lesser hours may work for other countries, but I think until American citizens begin to protest it more themselves, that we should keep going at the pace we are at now.
John Abraham per 6
In my opinion i believe that The price to pay for being the number one economy in the world is not too high. The only reason America has the lead economically compared to the rest of the world is solely due to the hard work of Americans. If individuals received paid leaves and vacations people would be more likely try and get them thus leading our economy not being as great as it is today. Like mr pye said Our economy is great at the moment and is rising at a steady pace.
John Abraham
In my opinion i believe that The price to pay for being the number one economy in the world is not too high.The sole reason that America has become the world power it is today with the best economy is through each person's hard work.If individuals had received paid vacations more people would want to take them which causes less work to be done and eventually leading to our economy going down. People speand a great deal of the salary they gain in america solely due to this great economic value of america. Like Mr pye said our economy is great at the moment and is getting better each year steadily.
Shaban Momin
Period 4
I believe that that price of our economy is a bit too high. Some of the workers barely get any time to spend time with their families because they are to busy being caught up in their work. For example, some parents work extremely long hours and make minimum wage just to provide a ideal amount for their kids and themselves. I don't believe this is right and America should be concerned for this issue because it is socially a problem in our communities today.
Mya Torres 4th
In my opinion, the price of our economy is high, but it is not too high. Yes, i agree that our mentality for discouraging taking time off or having a life outside of work for fear of being laid off is not neccessary, but our standard of living is built upon our quasi obssesive working.Yes, I agree we may be too intense, but in all honesty, perhaps we do need a little harsh motivation to keep from slacking off. Paid maternity leave and regulated minimum mandatory paid leave are in this day in age needed, but we shouldnt go over board and start regulating everything and giving a month of paid leave like the French. we need a healthy yet still a very highly competitve workforce.
Lloyd Videau
6th period
In my opinion i think the price of the economy is not too high. I am surprised that we are the most hardest working country in the world to be honest. But that's a reason why our economy is the best on the globe. Our hard work has it cost on the citizens but they also have many benefits due to this. 8 hours a day on average of working honestly seems like a small price to pay for where we have reached as a nation. Maybe there should be more vacation hours and less lay offs by companies however.
I wouldn't say the having the world's biggest economy is necessarily a bad thing. With the additional money, consumers can buy things people in other countries wish the could have. But it does indicate that Americans wrongly think having more money will result in the dissapearance of their life problems. Maybe we should all just take a step back and discover what really matters in life.
In my opinion I don't believe the price of the economy is too high. People are willing to work hard. American spend a lot of their salary in the economy. The hard works is what drives our economy and people want the title the US number one economy. People are willing to sacrifice some of the benefits to able to afford some of the luxuries other countries aren't able to.
Daniel Doucet
Period 2
While the American economy might have a high price, especially considering countries like China might surpass us by using capital goods rather than consumer goods, the American economy boomed mostly due to our culture. For the economy to change, the culture would have to change alongside it. The American people have to work to survive, and that means a 30 to 50 hour work week typically. It is a shame that some people have to work two jobs just to live, though. Raising minimum wage won't solve that anyways.
America will not have the top economy in the world if we assimilate into European work or Japanese work culture. In China the work policy is even more strenuous, if a natural disaster happens or if the smog is too bad for one day, workers must "make up" those days by going to work on the weekends. National holidays aren't even really holidays in China, since workers will also have to "make up" those work days and go to work during the weekend. This is one of the many factors that have contributed to China catching up to America in terms of economy. Having a rigorous work schedule is not a bad thing, and if a person does not want an American work schedule, then they also have the option to move to another country that better suits their needs.
I believe that the price of being number one is far too high. It would be quite easy to cut down on hours worked per person,because the U.S. out performs all if its competitors by at least one hundred hours. People are so valuing their jobs more than their social lives and there health because there aren't enough labor laws to ensure that they don't get over stressed. People are over worked being sold propaganda that they're falling behind the rest of the world and that there is no time for breaks and that they can't stop working or else China or India will out perform the U.S., ignoring the fact that they are the two most populous countries in the world. Americans work too much, it's not healthy to be under that much stress and that is why I think that the price of being number one is too high.
Meryl Zachariah
pd 2
I definitely believe that the price of being the world number one economy is a bit too high. Yes, ultimately we are number one, but when you narrow it down to each citizens personal life, there's "more stress and a lower quality of life." Other countries may not have as healthy of an economy or such high productivity per worker, but Im sure the workers have a better family life and less stress.
I believe the price of being the best economy is not too high because nothing in life comes easy. In order to be the best you have to work like you're the best, no matter the price you have to pay. I'm glad that our economy is the best because we would have to constantly work towards the top spot and also deal with other burdens at the same time, but because we have the best economy we reap the benefits.
Destyny McDermott
Period 2: I believe the price of being the best economy is not high at all because I agree with whatever you put in is the end result of what comes out. So if hard work is being put in then success is expected to come out. Yes, I do also agree that it can be very harsh at times due to separation from family and friends and also a lot of stress due to work. With that being said, I do feel like sacrifice is key in getting what you want and if being the best economy is what the United States want then it will come with sacrifice .
May Liew, Period 6-
In my mindset, I don't believe that anything is worth more than one's happiness, so not even the best economy can boast the benefits of a happy and healthy lifestyle. The United States does not have to be the best to ensure that the people are living a comfortable life. After all, the whole point of working so hard is so that everyone of us could be able to live a life where they don't need to worry about living with inadequate resources. Yet, we push ourselves to do more than we need, and therefore, it actually strains the people more than it benefits them. The negatives in such a rigorous work schedule outweigh the benefits of having the best economy in the world. If U.S. citizens don't have time to enjoy the profits of their hard work, then what is the point of even working so hard in the first place if one can't take pleasure in the success that they make.
Mario, Period 6
The United States is considered the most powerful country economically and militarily. There is a reason for this. People come to this country in order to live what is known as the "American Dream" and are not afraid of any repercussions associated with achieving this status. Therefore, I believe that the price of having the world's best economy is not too high. In fact, the opportunities that are presented to Americans should not be taken lightly as there are third-world countries that lack the resources and technology that we thrive on.
Happiness is the most important thing that a person can have and in my opinion no government is capable of giving its citizens true happiness. the best thing that the government cant do is provide its citizens with enough jobs and resources so that the people can work and acquire their own happiness and reach their own goals. The goal for most people is to be able to live with enough water and electricity to which they are comfortable in and once they reach these goals they aspire to reach other and higher goals which helps progress the government, the economy, and the general body of the US citizens. The US is doing a great job with providing resources and opportunities for its citizens and that is why its such a great country.
The price of being the most developed country and holding world's number one economy is a tiny one compared to the major advances the US holds over the rest of the countries of the world. There is an expression that no gain can be made without pain, and the 'pain' that the citizens of the US have to pay (in the form of overworked hours, no sick days, no mandated leave) is well worth the 'gains' (highest GDP, high standards of living). I personally don't believe that a mandatory maximum work hour regulation should be put in place. People, adults and working teens, should be able to know their own limits and what they need to sacrifice in work. There should not be any regulations that tells how many hours a person must work.
period 6
The price the USA pays for being the number one economy is not too high. We have a significant economic advantage over every other nation in the world and have the largest GDP by far of any other nation. Alongside being the richest and most economically powerful nation in the world, we work significantly less than other nations that are trying to become the top producers of the world such as China and Korea. For the amount of work we put in, being the world's strongest economy is a gift.
The price our country pays to be the number one economy in the world is not too high. The work ethic of the people living in the United States is precisely why our economy is booming. However, I do believe that there should be changes made to ease the strain on the common American worker. Paid parental and vacation leave would not tank our economy at all; in fact, it would benefit workers and probably motivate the average person to work harder at their job. The economy is fueled by the hardworking citizens who work 40 hours a week, and so they should be treated as such.
Jasmine Patience Period 2
The price that the average American citizen is paying in order for our country to maintain its impressive economy is far too high. The economy demands workers to sacrifice their family and personal wellbeing for the global American status. By not offering paid parental leave, the government is not encouraging parents to be as actively involved in the early stages of their children's lives as they should be to provide for an enriching child development. The US economy is the priority instead of the average quality of life for its citizens. Instead of praising its workers for their incredible work ethic, Americans are being taken advantage of in order to create a more successful economy.
The United States is reducing its citizens overall happiness in order to get to where it is as the number one economy. This price is little too high. People in the US work more hours and get fewer days off compared to workers in other developed nations. Our place as the largest economy has made people in the US value money above all else, even their own health. There is as sort of propaganda done by businesses which get workers to believe that no matter what we are not working hard enough compared to other countries when ,in fact, the US has the highest productivity per worker. People are expected to let their families and personal lives suffer because of their work.
Grace Swift (4th)
I do not believe the price of being the worlds number one economy too high. Certain jobs are available to compensate for different individuals needs. However, the overall goal is to keep America a running competitor in the economy against other countries. America has a strong economy and we should praise that rather than look for negatives. You don't try to fix something that isn't broken. Furthermore, the hardworking citizens who have allowed america to be the largest gdp producers in the world should be rewarded. I personally believe that benefits such as parental leave, paid holidays, and vacations should be taken into consideration but not given out like prizes. The way the economy is run now should not be significantly changed, but small tweaks will benefit those who help the economy become so powerful.
Obviously, American workers have to work longer hours and more days than most other industrialized nations, but that has also led us to having the largest economy in the world. Reading this article made me think about how incredibly massive the US is, and the fact that all of it is industrialized and "modern." I read an article a while ago, I'm not sure where, that talked about the idea of wealth in the US. The article claimed that Americans hate the poor. Even the poor Americans hate the poor, according to the article, because there's a social stigma that the rich are rich because they worked hard and the poor are poor because they are lazy. Often times, that's not the case at all. A lot of rich people are rich because they were born rich, and a lot of poor people are poor because they lack opportunity or are hindered in some way, mental health issues come to mind. All men are born equal? Yeah right. Anyways, back to what the blog post is supposed to be about. Is the price of being the number one economy too high? The article talks a lot about work hours and paid leave. Really, I think this problem can be see in two different ways. We need to consider low paying jobs and relatively high paying jobs separately. In the case of low paying jobs, workers have some of the blame for letting the situation get so bad. When immigrant workers come into the US to work and will take any amount of money from their employers, who can blame employers for lowering wages. In the same vein, why would corporations spend money paying living wages in the US when they can simply outsource jobs to Asia and pay people pennies a day for the same work. For relatively high paying jobs, it's impossible to complain about working hours and vacation days because there is always someone who can replace you. Of course, the government isn't going to intervene in any of this because guess who pays for political campaigns? Anyways, we probably do work too hard, but there is a tangible benefit in the form of the economy and major technological advancements, not to mention world political influence. Maybe countries like France and Spain do give more vacation time and other leave, but look at their economies and their innovations. When was the last time you heard anything great about Spain, except that they take naps in the afternoon? I digress, I could talk a lot more about this but this is WAY too much already. If anybody somehow got offended by any of this, that was not my goal. As an aside, I would love more vacation time, paid sick days, paid leave for BOTH parents, but this is too complex of an issue for me or anyone to give a "correct answer." The real question is whether the benefit is worth the cost. To me, I think it is.
Jose 2nd Period
In other European countries people work less than us and their is a reason why are economy is good. That being said i do not believe our economy is too high. We Americans have a high work ethic and that is why are economy is rising. I do believe that we should focus on the positives and not the negatives. We should not shame ourselves for something that is rising.
This article mostly mentions the negatives of the American work system while completely ignoring the positives. There is no "utopian" economy or society, and while other countries may have more time off, they do not have the best economy in the world. Japan is notorious for its low birth rate, and many young couples give the reasoning that they do not have the time to start a family because they work so much. Americans do not work more than 8 hours a day, whereas the average worker in Japan stays around 14 hours. Instead of being lazy, many Americans need to suck it up, stop being children, and accept that you have to work to make a living. If people would rather work less but have no money to spend on anything but food and basic necessities, and think that would be more comfortable, that is up to them, but I personally do not agree and think that is too simple of a life. Most Americans wouldn't be happy with that, as we spend a ridiculous amount of money on excessive things. I am fine with the way the American work life as is.
STANLEY JOHNSON
6th Period
This question can be answered in many different ways. But in my opinion, although the price of being the world’s number one economy maybe overwhelming at times, I feel that it is necessary and is ultimately a plus for all Americans. In order to reach success I feel that it is necessary to put in hard work day in and day out. Although it may not be relaxing at times it is necessary in order to have a good economy. Because of the countless numbers of hours Americans work we are the world’s number one economy and it should stay that way. As a nation we should be the representation of hard work and success. NO PAIN NO GAIN!
Allen Johnson 6th Period
As a whole, I believe that this price we pay as americans to have the world's greatest economy is far too high. Workers should not have to suffer in order to maintain the quality of life of others. In our current society, the higher-ups of corporations (CEOs and other chairmen, etc.) all profit way more from the labor of the common man than the common man does. The quality of life increase that we enjoy as americans is nowhere near the amount of extra effort that we put in. While I do agree that some sacrfices must be made for the good of many, I believe that we have reached a point of diminishing returns.
Nima Jamshidi, 2nd Period
The working class is paying too high a price to keep America's economy as the world's greatest. They don't really deserve to have their spirits crushed either. The typical American worker works too hard and doesn't reap the rewards they deserve. Many of the higher ups these days do not even care about their workers and instead care only about themselves and the paycheck they take home at the end of the day. Because of this greed, many workers are often squeezed like oranges and not adequately compensated for all the work they put in.
Sheryl Shajie, Period 4
As Americans, we are definitely paying a price far too high just to be the world’s leading economy. At one point in history, it might have been great but it’s been taken to the point where it’s not healthy. Society has planted the idea that money is the root of all happiness in Americans’ brains and this has caused Americans’ to work harder, thus diminishing their health. There is no point in having the world’s greatest economy if people are dying off due to stress caused from overworking.
Shreyans Rana:
The price of having the worlds greatest is very high. Residents of this country have sacrificed there lives to have finicial security but when it comes time for them to retire they can't enjoy their lives because they usually have health problems. Due to the stressful lives people have, they fall sick and are unable to enjoy their retired lives. Corporate owners do not even care about paying their employees. People do not receive the incentives they should recieve despite all the hard work they put into their company. They price is too high!
I do agree being the world's greatest means having too much high price.With an expected liftoff in U.S. interest rates, borrowing will become more expensive for emerging and developing economies over the coming months. This process is expected to unfold relatively smoothly since the U.S. economic recovery is continuing and interest rates remain low in other major global economies.This would especially hurt emerging markets with greater vulnerabilities and weakening growth prospects. For commodity-exporting emerging markets that are already struggling to adjust to persistently low commodity prices, or for countries experiencing policy uncertainty, a slowdown in capital flows would add to their policy challenges.Having parents that work everyday I know what it feels to being to pay a lot of price for something.Having to pay to much money especially in developing countries will make a huge change in people's lifestyles particularly their health and even job.
Period 2
America being the number one economy in the world has shown to be too big of a price to pay for American workers. There are many work situations where workers are overworked. One example being pregnant women will usually continue to work at their jobs when they are very close to their due date just so they can have as many days possible off with their newborn. Pregnant women have to go through this because their jobs won't give them enough time off. Along with people's long and tedious jobs, people will come home from work and continue to do work for their jobs instead of partaking in needed stress free activities. Most things in life do require hard work and sacrifice but the American economy is pushing it for its workers. If other countries in the world have fewer work hours for their citizens, America should be able to cut its workers some slack too.
Period 2
I agree that the American people pay a large price for being in one of the greatest countries. With that being said, the American people are the reason for the economy being so successful, so the government should appreciate the people more. For instance, many other countries have set parental leave- guarantees them off days for unexpected events and problems with their children- because, unlike the American government, they have to give their citizens incentives to produce as much money. While the American people do have luxuries, we should be given more incentives and acknowledgement for stimulating the economy through taxes and spending.
America being the number one economy today has put a strain on the citizens making that happen. The time to be with family, the ability to have a paid parent leave of absence and importantly, the work day time limit. Is being the number one economy worth not being able to see your family or enjoy time with them? I don’t believe so, compared to Europe and almost every other country in the world America works more than 260 hrs a year, all that time spent not even on a secure job. As the economy grows, employers don’t mind being ruthless and letting employees go while also giving off less vacation and sick days. Most importantly, this "overworked America” needs to watch for their health, the stress put on their bodies mentally and physically, without any time to recuperate for the next work day will not help in any way to perform any better. So, does being number one really matter when all of this is being neglected?
With America being such a successful economy it is easy to assume that American citizens would only benefit from this situation. However, the growing American economy has actually made some people's lives more difficult and stressful. Research shows America as a outlier from other countries in a variety of ways. For example, it does not have restrictions on average work hours, does not require paid sick and vacation leave, and also has no national parental leave benefit. All of these factors can lead to a very unhealthy and stressful lifestyle for Americans which can lead to health problems. It also reveals some issues in American society such as the lack of working rights and laws, and the high priority of money in the American culture. Based on these factors is evident that the American economy, while it is successful, should not take priority over workers needs to where they are put in an over stressful situation.
Anu Thomas--Period 2
Yes, I do believe that the price of America being the number one economy is too high for our society to continue to bear. While it is important to maintain a strong economy, it should not come at the cost of the welfare of our citizens. Americans strive hard to achieve a strong economy in order to earn a high-standard of living but it is of no use to have a high-standard of living if a person works too much or is too tired from work to enjoy the benefits of their labor. It is shocking that that the U.S. is the only country in the Americas without a national paid parental leave benefit when thee are other courntires who offer 50+ weeks of paid parental leave. While it is impressive that the productivity of American workers has improved by 400% since 1950, it is eyeopening to see that the standard of living for American workers since 1950 till now has not improved by much current workers are doing four times the work. American workers are working strenously and reaping none of the benefits. If the United States continues on this path of excess work, the health of its citizens will dramatically decrease due to increased death, in turn leading to increased governmental costs on healthcare. Reducing hours and providing more paid leaves will greatly improve the quality of life of the citizens and in turn the well-being of the country as a whole.
I have lived in Russia briefly as a child and therefore cannot have much opinion on the subject of their economy, yet my parents spent their entire lives there. They moved us here for a better opportunity and daily remind me that life here is immensely greater than it is there. Even though America has a lot of internal issues, our economy as a whole is a whole deal better than mostly any country. People say that people are happier in Sweden and Finland, yet the amount of taxes those two countries pay are through the roof.
The economy increasing in America, however, does cause slight concern due to medical expenses lowering by companies and various other changes being made. However. The quality of living will always be far greater than any other country
Alejandro Ortiz
While it is good we work so much and that allows us to be the number one. I personally think it is a bad thing as it makes people more stressed and it hurts families as they can not interact as much. My step dad works all the time which makes it so we rarely see him some weeks.
Yes. The article explains many reasons on why having the number 1 economy in the world could also have its negative effects on the people who work so hard to bring it up. The U.S BLS proves that since 1950 there has been a 4000% increase in average productivity of a American worker. But coming all this way came with a price to the citizens which include being the only industrialized country to have no legally mandated annual leave, having no federal law requiring paid sick days, and being the only country in the Americas to have to paid parental leave benefit. With all these setbacks for the success an of the economy, the citizens are losing a lot of time in which thy could be doing something else.
Yes, the article has many valid points on all the cons of having the number one economy in the world. It points out how having too much work leads to stress and a lower quality of life.Stress is the number 1 cause of mental and physical distress. The article also mentions how America does not offer paid sick days to their workers, meanwhile France and Finland do offer that to their citizens. According to the ILO, Americans work about 137 more hours per year than Japanese workers, 260 more than British workers, and 499 more hours than French workers. Overall, it is apparent that having the number 1 economy has many issues, especially for the workers. They work longer hours, only to receive less in return from their employers.
Yes, I do agree that having the best economy in the world could have its cons. As mentioned in the article, parents have been working up to 40 hours a week, spending less time with family and more time working to pay for the home taxes. Compared to other countries, America has had more work hours to produce and make these profits to support their economy. As a result of this overwork of time, workers experience this "stress and lower quality of life". Now that I have fully taken the notice of this fact, I realized that I should be grateful for my parents working hard to give me this luxurious lifestyle.
The Americans put in huge effort and contribution to make the United States the lead of world economy. However, sacrifice must be made. Although the article argued that American workers had put in too much work for the outcome. There are many more competitive countries with longer working hours but weaker economy. There is always a more efficient way to increase our GDP and improve our economy. But in order to remain as the leader of world economy, we should not be expecting to work less than most advanced countries and still hold our reputation.
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