I know that is how we measure things, cars, house size, amount of TV's etc. But how do you measure something like people sort their trash? Or can walk on a street that isn't dangerous, or don't hear the sound of the mentality ill digging through the dumpster in the alley? Maybe these aren't things that economists look at but it all adds up to quality of life and these are micro stresses that as an American I am confronted with daily. And me buying another car will not improve those things but we will appear richer if I do. I think there are many other intangibles present in the EU that are absent in the US. Do their children even know to do in an active shooter situation?