Without getting too far into politics, and disregarding all other issues floating around in our wonderful country:

The US government has been strongly on the side of big business, and fairly strongly anti-union and anti-labor, since the 80's. Corporations have been able to turn policy and law in their favor, eliminating much of the leverage previously given to grass-roots workers. If you vote against labor, you vote against yourself.

This is not the case in Europe. Most Europeans agree that professionals in safety-sensitive industries should not need to worry about how to feed their families or pay the doctor's bills. Therefore, valued workers are paid fair wages.

It's really very simple. We are our own worst enemies.

Cue reactionary tirades....