Learning from Europe

Since I notice a lot of fear and ignorance towards anything that slightly smells like reformation in the US (social-) economic system on here, I thought this column by Paul Krugman (NY Times) might be a clarifying read for all of you...

Please read the entire column before you -again- start comparing social democracy with socialism, communism, lack of freedoms ... In fact I'm convinced Europeans have as much or even more personal freedom, choices, possibilities, welfare and less controlling factors and repression compared to one living in the US.

I'm not saying European system is per se better than US, not even that any of our currently existing economic systems an sich work out as they should, just trying to redirect ruling misconceptions, biased statements and disinfo.
I'm not bashing America, nor am I starting another US vs EU thing around here, just pointing towards Facts vs. Ruling opinion. Actually, Paul Krugman is:

...Even calmer conservatives have been issuing dire warnings that Obamacare will turn America into a European-style social democracy. And everyone knows that Europe has lost all its economic dynamism.

Strange to say, however, what everyone knows isn’t true. Europe has its economic troubles; who doesn’t? But the story you hear all the time — of a stagnant economy in which high taxes and generous social benefits have undermined incentives, stalling growth and innovation — bears little resemblance to the surprisingly positive facts.

The real lesson from Europe is actually the opposite of what conservatives claim: Europe is an economic success, and that success shows that social democracy works...

source

Just a few months ago. Europe and with it all it's diverse and sovereign states. Became a single faction without a chosen president or ministers.

They are all instated by European leaders already in place.

So. Maybe you should wait a while before praising our leaders and politics.

It could very well turn for the worst.

I just hope it's not.

Positive vibrations make it all look great : )

Of course.
And therefore I said: "I'm not saying European system is per se better than US, not even that any of our currently existing economic systems an sich work out as they should."

You won't hear me give praises to our current economic model, nor to our leaders...

It's not the American way to follow. It's impossible for the US to learn from history, or from other nations. It's been inbuilt for generations that the US does things their way. It doesn't always work, actually it rarely works, but we'll keep trying.

Originally posted by Sinter Klaas
Just a few months ago. Europe and with it all it's diverse and sovereign states. Became a single faction without a chosen president or ministers.

They are all instated by European leaders already in place.

So. Maybe you should wait a while before praising our leaders and politics.

It could very well turn for the worst.

I just hope it's not.

Positive vibrations make it all look great : )

I don't there is any doubt that its already turning bad it’s just that the Frogs have been in the warming water for so long that they can't actually feel themselves being boiled alive! If you want to see how a European dictatorship works look at this. For the benefit of our US friends I'll just preface this little glimpse of the model European government that we now have by saying that what you will see is not meant to be funny and the comments of the eloquent Nigel Farage is what they put in place and neither I nor ANY person in Europe could do anything to stop!


Democracy at its finest

reply to post by Movhisattva


I'm sorry i should have chosen for a different explanation.


I'm new to this and English did not yet made it's entire vocabulary of words etc. open up to me.
Neither is it's grammar.