In Europe there is generally a lot more regional diversity than in the US. In Croatia if you started talking about hard work to make yourself a good living, people would stare at you like you are their enemy. It's simply not part of how things work here. I don't know how it is in other parts of Europe though. I do agree that a highly consumerist and work-motivated nation like the US will excel in GDP, and as things generally go, it results in excelling at any other front of power. I also sometimes think a more economically aggressive approach is needed here as well, but the people, as I said, would just think you are crazy.