Why Europeans Are as Mad as Hell at the New Europe

Jewish World Review ^ | June 2, 2005 | Max Boot [Los Angeles Times Syndicate]

[quidnunc]

This is a Howard Beale moment in Europe. Remember the O'Reillyesque commentator in the 1976 movie "Network," who kept shouting, "I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore"? It was never clear exactly what he felt was wrong, who was to blame, or what should be done about it. He just wanted to protest against "everything everywhere … going crazy."

That pretty much sums up European sentiment. People are as mad as hell that their economies are stagnating while crime, immigration and welfare dependency — the three are intertwined in the average European's mind — are all on the rise.

The European Union provides a convenient punching bag. In Britain, people hate the EU because it's too socialist; in France because it's too capitalist. In Eastern Europe, they're upset that the EU isn't doing more to facilitate labor mobility; in Western Europe, where the low-wage, if largely mythical, "Polish plumber" is a dreaded figure, they think it's already done too much.

It's almost enough to make a confirmed Euro-skeptic like me feel sorry for the bureaucrats in Brussels. "Why does everyone hate us?" they must be asking over their croissants and lattes. "Haven't we delivered real benefits for the people of Europe?"

To a certain extent they have a point. By helping to lower trade barriers and create a single, stable currency, the EU has spurred economic growth (such as it is). Even more important, by integrating age-old enemies it has helped promote political stability. Its role has been especially important in Eastern Europe, where the prospect of EU membership has hastened democratic and capitalist reforms.

-snip-

[Roccus]

Evidently, Europeans are as PO'd at the New Europe as my ancestors were at the Old Europe. (heh,heh,heh)

[ClaireSolt]

I keep wondering to what extent we are carrying these stubborn old fools. Stagnating economies in Europe and Japan with high unemployment and declining GNP may well explain our trade deficit. If we had not been deficit spending, not only would we still be in recession, but we might well have fallen into a real global slump.

[Paige]

This new Europe is what the Left brags about and how we should be more like them. I love this! I totally love how they have rejected the EU Constitution and the political correctness of the far left.

Thanks!

[mad puppy]

As many underestimate the frustration of the masses in this country with regard to our government, it is nice to see that the European masses are starting to "get it" as well. With the main-stream-press being exposed as the liberal/socialist tool that it is, those same masses are turning to the blogs to find the truth and those in power are quite right to be concerned. Very concerned.