The Europe Problem?

[mattycub]

I have an old friend, someone I've known for most of my life, that's a die hard conservative and whom I occasionally spar with about political topics. I would say he's much more thoughtful than most of the morons that speak for conservatismtoday - he actually makes good faith arguments that warrant discussion, even if we disagree on a fundamental

Comments

[timzilla]

This is a joke, right?

Because they aren't struggling to make ends meet, can pay their bills and have income for the finer things in life, don't have to worry about their kids getting necessary health care or love the planet so much they choose not to procreate and contribute to massive world over-population, are not subjugated to second class citizenship because of their sexuality and are not being fired from a their jobs at which they have dedicated a lifetime a few days short of retirement they are somehow without purpose and greatness?

That's the American Dream. Sign-me-up!

That's the most ridiculous thing I have ever read. If this was the thirties, this guy could have applied to write the sign at Auschwitz: "Arbeit Macht Frei"

[foodpoisoningsf]

To start with, I think the question is better posited as "what's worth killing for?" And what is the "Greatness" this fellow sees as so lacking today? I can point to a number of great, celebrated and glorious events in so-called "European" history. Starting with (in entirely random fashion) the ascension of Ferdinand and Isabella and the expulsion, forced conversion and murder of Muslims and Jews from Spain.

Nazi Germany defined itself in terms of greatness. Jeebus, let's have some peace and quiet and four weeks on Majorca, thank you very much.

[qnetter]

There are so many malformed ideas jumbled up in this as to make it difficult to respond. What they all have in common, and what he seems to be unable to separate is this: they seem to be "everything he values in a strawman virtue of American exceptionalism" vs. "everything else

[beartech]

I am not schooled enough to argue for or against the many points made above, but I have been to England, Amsterdam and France. They seemed to 'have their shit together' in a lot of ways. Perfect? Who is? Existential ennui? Yeah probably, it was practically invented in Europe. I agree with the point made above that the world could learn something from many parts of Europe about population control and material desire.

But the chocolate.... oh God the chocolate...

[scream4noreason]

In Australia we have a great welfare system and excellent socialized medicine.It has yet to turn us into complete sloths or rob us of the vitality of pursuing excellence in our lives.

America seems terrified to help it's own.

[backrubbear]

America seems terrified to help it's own.

That depends on where you're at. It's a diverse country after all.

There certainly is plenty of "I'll get mine" going around here though.