EU says travelling/vacationing is a right

myp · Apr 24, 2010

The European Union recently began a program that will subsidize those who can no afford vacations to take them. The reasoning behind the move is the belief that traveling is a modern human right.

link: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/travel/news/Vacationing+human+right+chief+says/2924330/story.html

Personally, I think it is an absurd notion that vacationing is a right let alone that they feel taxpayers should subsidize those who can not afford to travel for leisure. Any opinions?

David · Apr 25, 2010

myp said:
The European Union recently began a program that will subsidize those who can no afford vacations to take them. The reasoning behind the move is the belief that traveling is a modern human right.

link: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/travel/news/Vacationing+human+right+chief+says/2924330/story.html

Personally, I think it is an absurd notion that vacationing is a right let alone that they feel taxpayers should subsidize those who can not afford to travel for leisure. Any opinions?

I see the logic, a more relax population is a more productive 1 (France proves this quite well). Now a 1st class vacation to the Med or French Riviera I may take issue with but to take a week or 2 off work?

Dirk · Apr 25, 2010

D'ahaha! How do I apply? I'd love to go to Crete!

Out of interest, if Northerners go to the Med, and Southerners go to Scandinavia, where do Bavarians go?

Calvin · Apr 25, 2010

myp said:
The European Union recently began a program that will subsidize those who can no afford vacations to take them. The reasoning behind the move is the belief that traveling is a modern human right.

link: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/travel/news/Vacationing+human+right+chief+says/2924330/story.html

Personally, I think it is an absurd notion that vacationing is a right let alone that they feel taxpayers should subsidize those who can not afford to travel for leisure. Any opinions?

It goes to show that Europeans don't mind paying extreme taxes to afford this type of nonsense. Next they might start subsidizing hookers for disabled people who can get no love due to their disability. If I was an EU taxpayer I would be outraged by this waste of money. Poor people are often poor due to their choices in life, not as a result of bad luck.

David · Apr 26, 2010

Calvin said:
It goes to show that Europeans don't mind paying extreme taxes to afford this type of nonsense. Next they might start subsidizing hookers for disabled people who can get no love due to their disability. If I was an EU taxpayer I would be outraged by this waste of money. Poor people are often poor due to their choices in life, not as a result of bad luck.

And aside from idiot nations like Greece, the EU is better off then the US. At least in Europe, people have basic infrastructure. Many parts of the US are 3rd-World (hell I've seen people living in slave shacks)

myp · Apr 26, 2010

David said:
And aside from idiot nations like Greece, the EU is better off then the US. At least in Europe, people have basic infrastructure. Many parts of the US are 3rd-World (hell I've seen people living in slave shacks)

Why put aside nations like Greece and only look at the good when for the United States you didn't do the same and instead opted to look at the entire union? Furthermore, it is an opinion that the EU is better off- I would strongly disagree based upon freedom, living standards, etc. as well as the sustainability of those factors.

Calvin · Apr 27, 2010

David said:
And aside from idiot nations like Greece, the EU is better off then the US. At least in Europe, people have basic infrastructure. Many parts of the US are 3rd-World (hell I've seen people living in slave shacks)

I'm not entirely sure what a slave shack is, but you need to keep in mind that Europe overall have a much more centralized population and less space than the USA. That certainly would make it easier for the government to provide better infrastructure. Most of the US I would think is pretty good as far as having roads, running water, and other such government provided amenities.

David · Apr 27, 2010

Calvin said:
I'm not entirely sure what a slave shack is, but you need to keep in mind that Europe overall have a much more centralized population and less space than the USA. That certainly would make it easier for the government to provide better infrastructure. Most of the US I would think is pretty good as far as having roads, running water, and other such government provided amenities.

It's where slaves live. Small 1 room cabins. The ones I saw were located at the sites of former plantations.

myp · Apr 27, 2010

David said:
It's where slaves live. Small 1 room cabins. The ones I saw were located at the sites of former plantations.

European households/living spaces are generally a lot smaller than United States' households, mostly due to the space factor. The historical use of that building is not relevant really as it is the current conditions that matter, not what once was. A lot of older buildings were once a part of something unjust no matter where you look in the world.

David · Apr 27, 2010

myp said:
European households/living spaces are generally a lot smaller than United States' households, mostly due to the space factor. The historical use of that building is not relevant really as it is the current conditions that matter, not what once was. A lot of older buildings were once a part of something unjust no matter where you look in the world.

I fail to see what that has to do with the subject at hand. I'm saying I saw them still in use, not that they exist.

myp · Apr 27, 2010

So you are saying they are in the same exact conditions that they were in during the 1800s? I highly doubt that. The only argument I can see using the old slave shacks is that they are small and that is what I was responding to.

deanhills · Apr 29, 2010

Calvin said:
It goes to show that Europeans don't mind paying extreme taxes to afford this type of nonsense. Next they might start subsidizing hookers for disabled people who can get no love due to their disability. If I was an EU taxpayer I would be outraged by this waste of money. Poor people are often poor due to their choices in life, not as a result of bad luck.

I agree with you Calvin. I have no problem with charity programmes where children get to go on holidays that are educational or where they can at least see the ocean for the first time. I believe programmes like those are being used all over the world. But to regulate this in Europe has to be a tremendous waste of money. For that reason, I just don't see it happening. I'm almost certain that taxpayers in Europe would be outraged about this. They are actually quite excellent at being outraged.

With regard to the discussion about Europe having a "better infrastructure". I'm not so sure that that is entirely true, it depends on where one finds yourself. Some parts of Europe are really poor, and others really old. For example, when I was last in Paris, I really did not think much of their plumbing, ditto Rome.

Superman · May 6, 2010

I don't think vacations are a right. They are something for leisure, so they should be considered a privilege. There are a lot of things that would help a lot of people, but the government can't provide everything for everyone.

GekiDan · May 12, 2010

Honestly, taking a vacation at least once a year is one of the biggest reward you can give yourself for a year round work. And having a day off each week is an individual's right.

lorcan · May 12, 2010

I think this is a great idea, as so many people have lost their jobs and now they can afford vaccines, which is not just helping them but other people, as people will now have less of a chance to catch the sickness. But it will be very expensive and the EU better watch it carefully for people who will try and take advantage of this idea.

GekiDan · May 18, 2010

I just want to add-up that over working can lead to death. Yeah, literally.

EU says travelling/vacationing is a right

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