Posted on 11/18/2013 7:14:50 AM PST by A'elian' nation
Question: Who do you think is truly happier on the whole, them or us?
That’s an easy one. Our freedom makes us happier. I don’t know how some people would think that I liked socialism. I love the history and charm of so many places in Europe. The castles, cathedrals, and craftmanship take you back to another time. Europeans do have a deeper sense of history than we do. And they have spilled more blood.
But I deplore the anti-democratic European Parliament, and its heavy handed regulations. Nor could I understand the restrictions on free enterprise in the name of fairness and equality which to them is more important than independence and competition.
I have a friend in Antwerp, and all he could do is complain about the heavy taxes; yet he says he could never live in the USA. He values his health care coverage there and feels our medical care is not available to all. I would say he is content but not happy. Half of his money goes to taxes and medical care leaving him little for personal purchases.
Simply put, we value freedom and the individual (as do I); they value cradle to grave security. And since our military protects Europe, they have the luxury of that social security blanket.
Cologne was great. Sure got bombed all to hell in the War.
Fortunately the Dom was spared. I was able to hear a concert in the Dom during All Saints Eve.
Cologne, Nurenberg, and Munich have the best Christkindlmarkts.
Yes their society is more liberal when it comes to sexuality. But prostitution is regulated, and the women are tested for STD’s regularly.
I was mostly referring to a lighter more sophisticated appeal in their commercials. If you ever watch the occasional program on commercials around the world you’d get the picture.
“hotel rooms have thermostats, but they never seem to work.”
I was also amazed that some cities like Rotterdam actually pipe hot water into homes and hotels.
“You like Europe? Stay there.”
Have you ever been to Europe? Have you ever tried to appreciate another culture? You are a good example of why they regard Americans as provincial.
I have no love for socialism. I just appreciate history, good food, and the people. My forbears came from Germany and Italy; most likely yours came from somewhere across the pond as well.
You sound like a fag.
Translation: as an ex-pat. It's great then.
You are also a fag, particularly in your use of “across the pond.”
Just because one happens to enjoy the enchantments of Europe does not make one a liberal. I am anything but, nor am I a dreamer. I fully realize that American might has allowed Europe to become a welfare state, but that doesn’t condemn its history or blind me to its art and charms.
By the way, Walt Disney got his inspiration for Disneyland from the Efteling theme park in the Netherlands. Mickey Mouse was stolen from there.
Thanks for your comments, and you are right on.
Nice to know you love and appreciate Europe and had a great time there. Where did you spend most of your time?
The Roman ruins were something else weren’t they?
And you obviously have a good eye for detail. “They have beauty in everything, every little doorknob, window latch, everything has a delightful element of design.”
I still miss getting up early to get fresh warm bread at the bakery.
Your post is catnip for all the proud philistines around here.
However, when it comes to beer and bread we’re catching up in some areas of the country anyway!
I like how Paris is pretty much shutdown on Sunday mornings. All the stores are closed.
“Germany sucks.”
Sorry you feel that way about Germany. I took my son over there when he was 10. He had a great time.
At the end of a day of touring we would come back and teach the boys in the neighborhood the game of baseball. My son even left them his bat, ball, and glove.
The boys asked us to visit their school. I got to talk to a class about our state of Hawaii.
Doesn’t suck as much if you get to know the people and try to have fun.
Stores are only allowed to have SALES twice a year - usually late summer and then again after Christmas. All stores are required to have their sales on the same days so as not to give marketing advantages. Except for the middle Eastern tobacco shops and 7-11 type stores, the major merchants must close at the same hour.
Ridiculous.
Kids have more imagination? And they still falling into the socialist toilet?
“No ice cubes”
You are so right there! I did a lot of camping, and I was desperate to find bags of ice. They just don’t sell ice.
I learned that I could get ice from the butcher who used the ice to pack meat and fish. They didn’t sell it to me on account that I must be just another crazy American. I gave them a nice tip though.
And water in restaurants only comes in bottles - plain or carbonated.
or food is too expensive because they have tons of little shops and no bigger efficient outlets
“Your post is catnip for all the proud philistines around here.”
So I’m learning. Also learned that I’m a fag. lol
Food in the grocery stores and farmers’ markets were cheaper than food in our grocery stores. Especially the basics like milk, eggs, cheese, bread, and vegetables.
I was amazed at so many varieties of potatoes. They have as many varieties of potatoes as we have of apples.
Restaurants though are way more expensive than ours as a rule.
“Europe would be a heck of a lot better without all of the Muslims.”
And I think a majority in every country would vote to draw a line; no more, etc.
And if asked if they wish their country had never let the first one in, I think a majority would say yes.
I do watch a lot of Asian TV shows online
Their commercials are not more “sophisticated”, and I doubt Europe’s are either. Maybe you mean something different than what I mean by that word.
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