PARIS -- According to the latest Eurobarometer, a regular survey published by Harris, less than a third of European Union residents are "very satisfied" with their lives, and only 44 percent expect things to improve in coming months.
By comparison, Americans, according to the Wall Street Journal, look like "contented cowboys." A poll conducted last month revealed that 58 percent felt "very satisfied" with their lives and 66 percent expect things to improve. The reason for their optimism is clear: They don't fear unemployment. The U.S. jobless rate has fallen to 5 percent, the lowest level in four years. Three million jobs have been created in less than two years.
No wonder, then, that only 23 percent of Germans, 18 percent of French and 16 percent of Italians feel OK about their lives. In spite of repeated government promises, attempts to reduce unemployment have largely failed.