Should We Copy Europe?

Human Events ^ | 11-22-06 | Walter E. Williams

[xtinct]

Some Americans look to European countries such as France, Germany and its Scandinavian neighbors and suggest that we adopt some of their economic policies. I agree, we should look at Europe for the lessons they can teach us. Dr. Daniel Mitchell, research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, does just that in his paper titled "Fiscal Policy Lessons from Europe."

Government spending exceeds 50 percent of the GDP in France and Sweden and more than 45 percent in Germany and Italy , compared to U.S. federal, state and local spending of just under 36 percent. Government spending encourages people to rely on handouts rather than individual initiative, and the higher taxes to finance the handouts reduce incentives to work, save and invest. The European results shouldn't surprise anyone. U.S. per capita output in 2003 was $39,700, almost 40 percent higher than the average of $28,700 for European nations,.

[Dallas59]

Having personal possessions is against the law in Europe...except for the Socialist Elite..

[GodGunsGuts]

No, we shouldn't.

[Caipirabob]

Should We Copy Europe?

The Democrats are building the ovens as we speak...

[Dallas59]

One word...Islam.

[beyond the sea]

What's the European response to its self-made economic malaise? They don't repeal the laws that make for a poor investment climate. Instead, through the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), they attack low-tax jurisdictions

Liberalism/socialism is standing on your head and telling the rest of the world that it's upside down.

[sure_fine]

Should We Copy Europe?




should we follow lemmings off the cliff?

[Just mythoughts]

Considering the results of this past election I would contend we are in the process of EUROizing.

[shekkian]

Hmmm, let's see ... High unemployment in Germany, muslim riots in France, draconian gun control in Great Britain, legalized gay marriage in Scandinavia, legalized drugs in Holland, Spain being chased out of Iraq, ...

What was the question again?

[Sooth2222]

Household income levels that we would consider below the Poverty Line are "solidly middle class" in the rest of the G7; they live in apartments about the size of a large closet in the US. Their elderly don't live too long either, thanks to socialized medicine. Sure, we should emulate Europe. Isn't that what the voters said on November 7?

[stevem]

36% seems stiflingly high.

[AmericaUnited]

We'll have to teach more Americans to be parasites and leeches, sucking off the productivity of others, before reaching European levels. I'm sure a few hundred more government programs can help with this...

[HankReardon]

The entire European continent has been without a major war and is not part of the Soviet Union today ONLY because of the protection those nations enjoy from the American nuclear umbrella. What do these governments do with their huge tax revenue when they do not have to pay a large amount of it on defense?

[RangerM]

Their elderly don't live too long either, thanks to socialized medicine.

Your statement reminds me of a situation in France every August(?) when the entire country essentially takes the month off. Apparently many (older?) people die during this period due to the inaccessibility of doctors.

[AlexW]

"Having personal possessions is against the law in Europe...except for the Socialist Elite.."

Please explain, or stop making absurd and stupid claims.

[pieceofthepuzzle]

"What do these governments do with their huge tax revenue when they do not have to pay a large amount of it on defense?"

Foie gras.

[sergeantdave]

BRITISH people are now more spied upon by their political leaders than any other population in the free world, according to an official report.

“Many of these schemes are public sector driven, and the individual has no choice over whether or not to take part. People are being scrutinised and having their lives tracked, and are not even aware of it.

“They don’t know, for instance, that a record is kept of every internet site they visit. They don’t realise that when identity cards come in, there will be a record of their movements and every time they have engaged with any public service.”

(Times Online)

[Thrownatbirth]

Apparently many (older?) people die during this period due to the inaccessibility of doctors.

In August 2003, nearly 15,000 French pensioners died during a heat wave thanks to a national aversion to air conditioning.
It's an annual rite in France. People leave aging relatives at home while on vacation. When they return - voila! - one less burden on the pension system.

Socialism is all heart. :-)

[aligncare]

Many people--notably the 'rats--don't understand American exceptional-ism.

Europe should copy US.

[larryjohnson]

Heritage link fcst is we match Europe tax by 2020