Replies

Well spoken. You obviously know of what you speak and that is much appreciated. I would like to add a few things. Although much of Europe is run by Social-Democrats that does not explain all. Holland is too, to a large extent, yet our economy is doing far better than most European countries (since the Euro, we cannot control interest rates, of course, and since we have higher inflation we will be more likely to suffer a recession in the near future. Moreover, the introduction if the Euro itself will lead to a sharp one-off inflation of up to 4% since traders will round-off their new prices to the higher level. Bugger to that).

Conversely, Italy and Spain are run by centre-right governments but they are no less Euro-friendly than the left. Which brings me to a point that is rarely discussed here. In my view the European 'project' is warmly supported by the American government elite. The EU is meant to supplement the US; not to provide an alternative to the US as so many people both in America and Europe seem to believe. I think that fundamentally the opinions and views for the future of both the American elite and the European elite are in agreement.

Thus, the EU will never become this socialist super-state many fear, nor will it be the antithesis to American 'freedom'. It will be a muddle-model for confused and semi-representative government that America will drift towrads, too, in my limited view from across the pond.

Thanks, you make good points.

Especially your point that the US and Euro elites are in agreement about the european project, particulary the foreign policy establishment. I was initially surprised at US acquiescence in the Euro rapid reaction force, which seems perfectly silly to me. Isn't that NATO's job?

I think here in the US many have reacted to the anti-US sentiments certain French ministers have routinely been making, as well as Germany's call for a federal Europe, which I found shocking. And as you can see from Steyn, many in the US are quite irritated at Euro support for Arafat, a corrupt dictator in my view, and the "peace process," which has been dead for a year.

Since you're on the scene, what's the mood in Europe about the introduction of the Euro? It's value has fallen considerably over the last year. Can the governments maintain fiscal discipline in a recession?