Rush’s Morning Update: Vacation
May 17, 2007
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The Center for Economic Policy Research – a Washington think tank – has a new study comparing guaranteed vacation time in America to that in Europe. Our euro-friends win. The French get 30 paid vacation days, guaranteed. Other Europeans are given at least 20 days. But America – with the world’s largest economy – doesn’t guarantee workers a single, solitary, fully-paid-for day off.
The American problem is…government. There’s no law mandating paid vacation! Thus, a quarter of American workers are deprived. Says economist John Schmitt: “The United States is the only advanced economy in the world that does not guarantee its workers paid vacation days and paid holidays. Relying on businesses to provide paid leave just hasn’t worked. It’s a national embarrassment that 28 million Americans don’t get any paid vacation or paid holidays.”
The research did find that 90 percent of Americans are offered vacations – an average of six paid holidays and nine paid vacation days. But how can we remain the world’s lone superpower, the economic engine of the world, if people are forced to work? Our lousy government won’t rescue them from evil business, which treats employees like indentured servants.
Workers of America, unite! March in to your boss and demand more paid holidays. Right after the four-day Memorial weekend. Don’t take no for answer! Ask for paid family leave, too. And, after he fires your lazy butt, apply for work at the Center for Economic Policy Research. They must have a great vacation plan!
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