Even as American progressives continue to ramp up their push to make our social welfare state as European as they can make it, the Europeans are actually getting smarter.

The Dutch are following the Swedes in tightening up their welfare system:

The Dutch have just announced a massive reform of their welfare system, designed to reduce dependency and put a new emphasis on work. For example, welfare applicants will now be required to prove that they spent at least 4 weeks actively searching for a job before they become eligible for any assistance. And once they begin to receive benefits they will either have to work or perform volunteer community service. Dutch welfare recipients would be required to take available jobs even if they had to move or commute up to three hours per day…According to the Dutch government, the reforms will ensure that welfare is seen as “a safety net, rather than a right.”

No word if “Occupy Den Haag” has reacted yet.