The American idea of meritocracy is, "I earned the money, I should keep it. If you want money, go make some." The socialist idea of meritocracy is, "we should

The American idea of meritocracy is, "I earned the money, I should keep it. If you want money, go make some." The socialist idea of meritocracy is, "we should provide basic necessities to people so that they can work, study, and perform to the fullest of their ability, and ultimately earn and achieve beyond the traps and limitations of poverty." I don't see anything wrong with either view. Nor do I see either as superior to the other. Lastly, it's irrelevant that people from Europe are not fleeing to the USA, or vice versa. People have ties to friends and family, so you can't judge the momentary health of an economy based on egress and ingress.