Posted on 08/05/2005 1:31:33 AM PDT by F14 Pilot
Europe is in crisis. It is depopulating because of birthrates well below replacement. Weighted down by oppressive taxes and onerous regulations, the economies of the major European nations are barely growing.
Pessimism reigns. Yet there are the little flickers of light in the form of bright and energetic young people pushing constructive change, and increasing public recognition from some European leaders that the present course is unsustainable.
In times of crisis, some nations find a Ronald Reagan, a Winston Churchill or a Margaret Thatcher. If one looks closely at the increasing political divisions in France, Germany and Italy, it is now possible to imagine a future Continental version of Mrs. Thatcher or President Reagan.
In the 1970s, the U.S. and the U.K. were in crisis. Mr. Reagan rode into Washington with vision and optimism. He supported a noninflationary monetary policy, cut tax rates and reined in spending and regulatory growth and the economy boomed.
In the U.K., Margaret Thatcher faced even tougher economic problems. Much of British industry had been nationalized under socialist governments. Welfare state spending and the unions were out of control. Britain had become the poor man of Europe. Beginning in 1979, Mrs. Thatcher privatized industry, cut taxes, spending and regulations and broke the unions' hold on the economy. Britain went from the poorest major economy in Europe (in terms of per capita income) to the richest, leaving Germany, France and Italy in the dust.
The United States and the U.K. have had twice the rate of economic growth of Germany, France and Italy since the early 1980s. Unemployment rates in the U.S. and U.K. are under 5 percent while Germany and France are in double digits (11.8 percent and 10.2 percent respectively).
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Hear, hear!
The UK may be saved, but France and the others as we know them?? nope.
And how do you come to that result? Just because Blair supported the Iraq war?
Frankly I don't hold out much hope for any of them. Perhaps the eastern European countries will remember the lessons of communism and turn away from the rest of Europe which is heading towards national suicide.
I think Sarkozy may yet save France.
probably wishful thinking... BTW: I added a column to my FR homepage you might like.
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