"Progressive" Europe is an American liberal fabrication

ThePainefulTruth

Verum est Deus

Deleted

Peoria, Arizona

#1

Oct 14, 2010 @ 11:24:11

At least so says James Kirchick, an editor of the leftist New Republic.

Europe the Intolerant

Europeans are leery not just of Muslim immigrants but of Jews, nearly exterminated on the continent 60 years ago. A recent Pew Global Attitudes poll found that nearly 50% of Spaniards have either a "very" or "somewhat unfavorable" opinion of Jews. The figures are 25% for Germans, 20% for French and 10% for British. This anti- Semitism was underscored by the recent assertion of European Union Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht that "it is not easy to have, even with moderate Jews, a rational discussion about what is actually happening in the Middle East."

American liberals who ignore European bigotry while considering opposition to the Ground Zero mosque inexcusable bring to mind the mocking suggestion of German communist playwright Bertolt Brecht: "Would it not be easier in that case for the government to dissolve the people and elect another?"

Throughout the mosque debate, the vast majority of Americans showed themselves to be capable of respectful disagreement. It is Europeans, again, whose darker impulses we have to fear.

Too bad he didn't go into Europe's emmerging migration away from socialism.

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Edited: October 14, 2010 @ 11:24

jmo

Beruset af Julebryg

Yorkshire, United Kingdom

#2

Oct 14, 2010 @ 11:42:06

I think most Western Europe countries are more progressive than the USA.

We spend on average a higher amount of GDP on the state, generally have public health-care, state owned industry, better welfare states and more prominent progressive parties and politicians running on progressive tickets.

Using the example of a poll's findings on certain racist attitudes doesn't make Europe less progressive.

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boxerdc

Deleted

,

#3

Oct 14, 2010 @ 11:53:41

I prefer to let Europeans do what they choose to do, and not butt into their business.. But I'd also not be bothering with anyone's affairs other than Bin Ladin, and the wacko from Iran.. And I'd keep a satellite or two trained on North Korea, just to be sure.

But then I'm a liberal, and I think that we should clean up our own side of the street before commenting on the neighbors.

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ThePainefulTruth

Verum est Deus

Deleted

Peoria, Arizona

#4

Oct 14, 2010 @ 12:17:28

@jmo Said

Using the example of a poll's findings on certain racist attitudes doesn't make Europe less progressive.

Just bi-polar.

@boxerdc Said

But then I'm a liberal, and I think that we should clean up our own side of the street before commenting on the neighbors.

But it's the left that's been holding up Europe as an example we should follow for the last ever-how-many decades.

And I'm for being as isolationist as the world will allow us to be.

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jmo

Beruset af Julebryg

Yorkshire, United Kingdom

#5

Oct 14, 2010 @ 12:23:03

@ThePainefulTruth Said

Just bi-polar.

Not Bi-Polar, all it shows is that a minority of Europeans have racist attitudes. Note that the most socialist countries of Europe weren't even included in the findings? I'm guessing that has something to do with the fact that the levels of prejudice where so low they weren't worth mentioning.

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boxerdc

Deleted

,

#6

Oct 14, 2010 @ 12:25:53

@ThePainefulTruth Said

But it's the left that's been holding up Europe as an example we should follow for the last ever-how-many decades.

And I'm for being as isolationist as the world will allow us to be.

They have? The only thing that I see that we should be following is health care.. since over the last 60 years, every single nation in western Europe has eclipsed us for quality of health and cost of health care per capita.

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Junkyard_Jim

Deleted

Norristown, Pennsylvania

#7

Oct 14, 2010 @ 16:10:07

@jmo Said

I think most Western Europe countries are more progressive than the USA.

We spend on average a higher amount of GDP on the state, generally have public health-care, state owned industry, better welfare states and more prominent progressive parties and politicians running on progressive tickets.

Using the example of a poll's findings on certain racist attitudes doesn't make Europe less progressive.

Debt ratio?

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jmo

Beruset af Julebryg

Yorkshire, United Kingdom

#8

Oct 14, 2010 @ 16:39:42

@Junkyard_Jim Said

Debt ratio?

What about debt ratio?

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Junkyard_Jim

Deleted

Norristown, Pennsylvania

#9

Oct 14, 2010 @ 17:47:09

@jmo Said

What about debt ratio?

More Progressive the country re entitlements to citizens, the higher debt ratio existing between taxes and expenditures. Just wondering if you looked at this as an issue driving EU governments more to the right. The US has a debt ratio now that is climbing faster than anytime in our short history, but we are continuing to drive left.

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Edited: October 14, 2010 @ 17:47

jmo

Beruset af Julebryg

Yorkshire, United Kingdom

#10

Oct 14, 2010 @ 17:59:12

@Junkyard_Jim Said

More Progressive the country re entitlements to citizens, the higher debt ratio existing between taxes and expenditures. Just wondering if you looked at this as an issue driving EU governments more to the right. The US has a debt ratio now that is climbing faster than anytime in our short history, but we are continuing to drive left.

Well the debt ratio is leading the UK to make more right-wing measures to try and reduce it a little at the moment. However certain aspects of state spending are seen as sacrosanct so won't be touched.

Scandinavian countries aren't doing this though, despite being the most 'socialist' European countries as they have retained a low debt ratio despite high state spending.

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