Why the Eu Will Never Overtake the US

We've all heard about the French 35-hour workweek, but did you know that under EU regulations employees cannot work more than 48-hours in a week?

After months of hesitation, French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin outlined plans Thursday to reform the 35-hour workweek, cherished by the country's trade unions and hated by employers.
In a televised address, Raffarin said companies will be allowed to negotiate their own deals with staff on overtime -- within the EU's 48-hour workweek limit.
"In the future it will be possible to choose in this way the number of additional hours, pay and conditions," the prime minister said.
The 35-hour workweek was introduced under the last Socialist-led government, which claimed it would boost employment by forcing companies to hire more staff.

Emphasis mine. Can you imagine owning a business and being held to paying your employees only for a 48-hour week? In America, that is the norm.