Judy, for once you and I agree on something.  (Incidentally, I actually think you're more conservative than you realize, but that's a subject for another discussion.)

I think the global perception that Americans are lazy comes largely from the fact that this great nation affords us so much more for our efforts than our counterparts around the world.  As a rule, the poorest among us has decent food, shelter and clothing.  Even some of those we consider "disadvantaged" have automobiles, color televisons and "creature comforts" such as air conditioning.

If you want a statistic, try this: the United States generates more wealth per capita per unit of energy than any industrialized nation on earth.  What's more, we are one of the few nations on the planet that generates enough wealth to clean up after itself.  We not only work hard; we work smart.  If that's not efficient, I don't know what is.

That kind of economic activity doesn't just "happen"--it's a product of the American work ethic.

Regards,
Scott