> First, the difference isn’t that big in the economically stronger EU countries

It's exactly that big. It's not as big for people with low qualifications, but the more highly qualified the specialist, the greater the difference.

> Second, you need to factor in cost of living, which by most accounts is lower.

But here the difference really isn't that big.

> Third, meaningful labor laws and a shared appreciation for work-life balance.

This works more against EU rather than for them. Peak tech skills aren't usually acquired through laziness around and following meaningful labor laws, even in the EU.

> while we celebrate business acumen, we don’t fetishize wealth

An excuse for poor people (who still fetishize wealth)