Top Ten Things the U.S. Could Learn from Europe

Most advanced European countries have some sort of universal healthcare. At the same time, the price for healthcare services is usually cheaper than in the US. While most countries have the government offering healthcare, this doesn't need to be the case.

For instance, Switzerland has one of the best healthcare systems in the world. Health outcomes are very positive, and 99% of all citizens have some sort of insurance. By the way, their system is entirely private. No Medicare, Medicaid, or any other federal insurers. The U.S. could greatly benefit from offering universal care.

Most European countries mandate that companies offer paid paternity, sick, and vacation leave. Because of this, worker productivity is better than in the U.S. Also, babies are healthier and are less likely to be born into poverty.

Lots of European countries have gone a completely different direction than the US regarding public education. Instead of continually doing rigorous testing, lots of European schools realize that each student has different needs. Therefore, there is not a one-size-fits-all approach in education.

European schools have smaller classrooms, less testing, and more innovation, which results in much better outcomes than the US.

This isn't an attack on police. I actually have several family members who were cops at one point, so I have a ton of respect for most cops.

However, our country's police force is horrible compared to most of Europe. Cops in the US have access to tanks, assault rifles, flamethrowers, grenades, etc. In Europe, cops only use deadly force if absolutely necessary. In the US, some cops are way more trigger-happy.

For instance, there was one case where a man was wearing headphones, so he couldn't hear the cops' commands. He kept walking and didn't threaten or attack anyone. He was then filled with bullet holes.

The US needs to de-militarize our police forces and stress non-lethal tactics to subdue criminals unless lives are at stake.

Europe has some of the best public transportation in the world, while the US is severely lacking. Not only would constructing more public transport provide a stimulus to the economy, but it would also make it easier for the unemployed to seek work.

The thing is, why I think the US hasn't been doing a lot is that places like Britain and Germany are small while the US is big.

I agree. NYC is the only city with decent public transportation.

Most European countries offer detailed sex education classes and affordable birth control. In return, they have far fewer unintended pregnancies and STDs than the US, where teens are given little information about sex, and the subject is considered taboo.

I agree. What's with all this teen pregnancy in these impoverished areas?

Some European countries have decriminalized things such as drug use and prostitution. In return, they have far less violent crime and lower incarceration rates than the US.

We have so many people in jail for minor offenses, a lot of drug crimes.

America's infrastructure is also lacking compared to Europe.

Americans are generally just less educated than Europeans. Only 40% of Americans believe that evolution really occurs, compared to 80% of Europeans. Educational standards should be raised across the board.