SUV's, large screen TV's and forced labour 'till age 62!!!!

We are now about 24 months into and on our way out of a pretty horrific period of global financial instability.  The dust has settled, the slow motion replay's have been made over and over and we have a pretty good idea of what not to do next time.  Excess is the word which sums it up.  In many cases the world has fingered the financial industry movers and shakers for taking excessive risk.  In other cases people have fingered consumers for their excessive personal debt. It doesn't matter any more. Buying too many SUV's , large screen TV's and allowing our finance industry to bundle all that consumer debt into personal "equity" loans sold as high valued real estate investments was a bad idea. Important part is we have pretty much learned our lesson. Haven't we???  Well I think here in north America we have.  We know that for many, working well past age 65 will be a reality.  And heck, what's so bad about that?  We are living longer and the reality of out living our retirement savings is something everyone must  be aware of.  So why in the hell don't the Europeans get this???  COME ON!!! this nonsensical behaviour of protesting, striking and more or less causing havoc with global markets because you now have to work until age 62 (I'll type it so we don't forget it) SIXTY TWO!!!  is pure Balderdash!!  Suck it up Europe!! You get like 400 weeks a year of paid vacation, evade income tax like it's and entitlement and have posh government benefits.  Don't look at north America's excess as the only reason you are in tough times.  Your EXCESSIVE leisure has a lot to do with it too! Over and out,,,