| |
|
Article Directory :: Politics & Government Articles
At first glance it seems ironic that Europe, long disdainful of American-style capitalism and haughtily proud of its womb-to-tomb smorgasbord of lavish government-managed goodies, should be tightening its various belts, while on this side of the big pond we continue to tinker with our economy to conjure up just the right mix of American-style socialism and the free market activity needed to support it.
Meanwhile, our esteemed leader is lecturing the Europeans not to turn off the swag spigot too quickly. Socialist Europe is being scolded by an American president for not being sufficiently committed to socialism. Talk about irony!
The European countries are merely adjusting sooner because they've been shoveling the goodies into the public trough for longer, and with more shovels. It took one European state - Greece - to come begging, in order the awaken the others to their eventual fate.
Apparently that lesson is lost on some of us over here. Europe is backing away from the abyss while we continue to gallop toward it.
Now we see, for example, the Brits raising the VAT and cutting back on the swag - or at least talking about it. (Raising the VAT won't help the economy in the long run, but it makes the left-leaning parties feel better for now, and might just shut them up long enough to get something constructive done. At least Her Majesty's Government have the other half of the recipe right.)
Greece is Europe's canary in the coal mine; Europe is ours. American-style capitalism has never been as, well, capitalistic (unfortunately) as the Europeans have traditionally thought. The Euros have just gone so much further along the continuum toward state socialism than we have that we’ve continued to look positively laissez faire (pardon my French).
The Europeans are in shabbier condition than we Yanks are because they’ve been toiling in the vineyards of Marxism for longer - with predictable, and predicted, results. Despite our own unemployment in double digits and our national debt a mighty thing to behold, compared to the Europeans we're just a little worn in the elbows so far.
American admirers of European socialism should take note of the shape of things in Greece, Spain, et al. But they won't. It should be obvious (but for some reason never is) that capitalism can survive and flourish without socialism, but socialism needs capitalism to pay the bills.
Margaret Thatcher said it: "The trouble with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money."
Pan-Europeanism and the yearning for the Common Market, the common currency and the common everything else got its start as an effort to keep the European countries from going to war with each other, as they always have. No harm done on that front, although the whole thing comes apart as soon as Belgium gets too big for its britches (as if it hasn’t already) and the Germans invade - again.
Speaking of Germans, they’re not particularly keen on bailing out Greece - nor should they be. Greeks have made tax evasion a national sport, while still soaking up the pension and other benefits as if someone in their country were actually paying for it.
Turns out the other Europeans - Germans and Scandinavians, in particular - are paying Greece’s bills, since those countries have done a much better job of managing their economies (although how much better off their economies could be if they didn’t excel, too, at ladling out the swag, we may never know).
 EasyPublish™ this article - publishers click here
More articles by Eric Blair
|
Free Report!
Ten Essential Secrets Of Article Marketing ... Grab Your Free
Copy Now:
Need Content?
Regular Top Quality Content for your Blog, Ezine or Website ...
Delivered Direct,
For Free!
Click For Details
Arts & Entertainment
Automotive
Business - General
Computers & Technology
Finance & Investment
Food & Drink
Health & Fitness
Home & Family
Internet Marketing/Online Business
Legal
Pets & Animals
Politics & Government
Reference & Education
Religion & Faith
Self-Improvement/Motivation
Social
Sports & Recreation
Travel & Leisure
Writing & Speaking
|
More political articles: - Francisco Madero's Path to Revolution (Robert Nickel)
In 1911, after thirty-five years of dictatorial rule by president Porfirio Diaz, the Mexican people had had enough. Angry, fed up and bitter at the administration's corruption, they were incited to rise up and revolt after that year's election, when popular newcomer Francisco Madero "lost" the presidential race in a stunningly obvious case of electoral fraud. This was the beginning of the Mexican Revolution... - Gift Giving: The Pet Lover (Claire Dimmit)
If you are being frustrated by trying to find the perfect gift for the animal lover in your life, you should not give up. Here are a few ideas that can spur your imagination enabling you to find the perfect gift. - The Battle Of Puebla And Cinco De Mayo (Robert Nickel)
Why does the United States celebrate every May 5, or Cinco de Mayo? It's only a regional holiday in Mexico, and is often mistaken to be the commemoration of their Independence Day (which is actually in September). The roots of these festivities go back to the French invasion in 1862, and a decisive initial victory against Napoleon III's forces. - Agustin I: The First Mexican Emperor (Robert Nickel)
The First Emperor of Mexico's regime was the first attempt at a Spain-free governing structure, and it failed fairly quickly. His reign had lasted roughly ten months before collapsing, and while it didn't accomplish a great deal in terms of infrastructure, it marked the true start of the divide between the centrist conservative and the democratic liberal political parties. - The Incredible Work of Benito Juarez (Robert Nickel)
A great deal of Mexico's liberal reforms in the 19th century - the separation of church and state, the proclamation of all citizens as equal in the eyes of the law and the establishment of a market-driven social system, among other things, would not have been possible without the leadership of Benito Juarez. Once an illiterate shepherd, this Zapotec native rose to become a lawyer and eventually ended up involved in some of the most important... - How Maximilian I Became Emperor Of Mexico (Robert Nickel)
It might not be a commonly known fact, but Mexico was, at two separate points, a monarchy; each reign lasted less than five years and was filled with revolts, infighting, and puppet rulers. The first Mexican Empire took place shortly after the country won its independence from Spain in 1821, but collapsed less than eight months after its establishment. The second attempt was the result of Napoleon III's invasion in 1862... - All About the Reform Wars (Robert Nickel)
In the years following Mexico's War of Independence, a question arose among the newly freed citizens as to how the newly free nation should be governed. Two ideologies emerged: the liberals wished to establish a democratic, secular government with a constitution similar to that of the United States of America... - Who Was Empress Carlota? (Robert Nickel)
For a very brief period of time in Mexico's long and turbulent history, they were ruled by Emperor Maximilian I and his consort, Empress Carlota. This regime was doomed to end in a bloody manner almost from the start, as they had been crowned after an invasion by France and were stuck in between an unfairly deposed liberal party and the conservative conspirators who disliked their practices.
We Automatically Distribute Articles
To Thousands Of Publishers And Web Sites:
Submit Article
All content is viewed and used by you at your own risk and we do not warrant the accuracy or reliability of any of the information. The views expressed are those of the individual contributing authors and not necessarily those of this web site, or its owner, Takanomi Limited.
|
|
