Besides free health care for their workers, in other democracies paid vacations are legally guaranteed, while Americans get none. Compared with the U.S., German workers earn $25,000-$45,000 annually in social benefits, while U.S. workers earn $5,000-$12,000. This is real money; real purchasing power lost in comparison. If you want more of nothing, vote Republican. — Jim Crawford is a retired educator and political enthusiast living here in the Tri-State.