Canadian Politics Today

I have some anecdotes too but not for my family personally.  How come all the socialist (read - Entitled) European countries with work/life balance and heavy taxation aren't falling apart economically and have such better standard of living and happier citizens?

Smaller homogeneous countries are better able to maintain the social cohesion necessary to maintain high tax rates and a nanny state. Such cohesion simply does not exist in Canada or the US. I personally think work place benefits are over rated and I would rather just get the cash (i.e. a company that gives you a mental health day has factored that into your salary so you are making less than what you could make without the benefit).