Deep budget cuts are under way across Europe. Although the first round is focused mostly on government payrolls -- the least politically explosive target -- welfare benefits are looking increasingly vulnerable.

Germany will decide next month just how to cut at least 3 billion euros ($3.75 billion) from the budget. The government is suggesting for the first time that it could make fresh cuts to unemployment benefits that include giving Germans under 50 about 60 percent of their last salary before taxes for up to a year. That benefit itself emerged after cuts to an even more generous package about five years ago.

Deeply wary of military conflict, many nations now find themselves nonetheless mired in Afghanistan on behalf of what was supposed to be a North Atlantic alliance, shying away from wholesale pullout while doing their utmost to keep troops from actual combat.

On Monday, Britain unveils 6 billion pounds ($8.6 billion) in cuts -- mostly to government payrolls and expenses. The government has promised to raise the age at which citizens receive a state pension -- up from 60 to 65 for women, and from 65 to 66 for men. It also plans to toughen the welfare regime, requiring the unemployed to try to find jobs in order to collect benefits.

The system known as the European welfare state was built after World War II as the keystone of a shared prosperity meant to prevent future conflict. Generous lifelong benefits have since become a defining feature of modern Europe.

well... I live in the netherland and work as an entrepeneur cabinetmaker. especially kitchens and bathrooms. and for the last 18 months i've had about 5 monht's worth of work. my father who has been in this bussines over 20 years said he's never seen a time like this.

Originally posted by mike_trivisonno
reply to post by faceoff85

---

This happens because many people don't realize that the "extra 5 cents" a day they cede to the federal government eventually puts a citizen out of work and creates more government bureaucrats. It is a endless quest to centralize power.

The larger the central government the fewer small businesses.

Conditions for INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY in this world are worsening. Entrepreneurs and small businesses are the concrete expression of this idea and as it is diminished so are they.