Europeans just don't get it!

[J]

Europeans have just one solution to everything.
Europeans levy taxes for every conceivable
problem.

People need health-care so Europe levies taxes.
People need roads so Europe levies taxes.
People need standing armies so Europe levies taxes.
People need running water and electricity so Europe levies taxes.

America gives its businesses tax breaks for
exporting their goods So ...
Europe levies taxes in the form of tariffs.

How does taxing their own people punish America
for giving our businesses tax breaks?

Do these people not see that Japan has
been in recession for over a decade? Why are
these idiots following Japanese example? Isn't
it like copying off the dumbest kid in class?

First Japan looked like a threat. Now, they have
fallen by the way-side. Then Europe united and
could have been a threat, but they're growing
at 1% a year, which means that in real (inflation
adjusted) terms European economy is shrinking.
China will implode.

It looks like U.S. will remain hegemon by default
for at least the next century

We're like the American kid going to public
school who actually does his homework. We're
going to the head of the class because everyone
else is an idiot or does not even attempt to do
the work.

Jae

 

[Dan4510]

Jae,

The key difference is freedom vs. socialism. The history of Europe still bogs them down. They also would rather accept high unemployment rather than purse policies that allow people to move ahead by their own effort.

Dan

 

[Last_Z]

FYI, German citizens pay 49% in taxes.

They can keep Europe and their fine automobiles...I'm happy in the Lone Star State!

 

[Last_Z]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dan4510:
Jae,

The key difference is freedom vs. socialism. The history of Europe still bogs them down. They also would rather accept high unemployment rather than purse policies that allow people to move ahead by their own effort.

Dan

---

Dan,
You hit the nail square on the head. It is very diffucult to open up a business there. I used to visit this Schnitzel house and the lady thought she would need something like $1mil to open up a restaurant in the States

Of course, I told her she was way off.

 

[Pablo]

J - I was flabbergasted!! Liberals in the USA love Europe - because Europe can control/raise our taxes TOO! That ruling is just ridiculous.

PS Technically Europe can do what they want, but constitutionally that move may be illegal in the USA. Countries have gone to war for less. I'm not proposing any such thing, but it's extremely manipulative, to say the least!

[ March 01, 2004, 10:41 PM: Message edited by: Pablo ]

 

[harper]

Why do you have to state that we are better or not? Different countries have great things to offer. There is no need to think you're better than anyone else. Dependant on who you are and where you are in life the US or Europe or third world may be the best.

There is nothing wrong with saying the US is best for me, but saying its the best for all and the best is wrong.

 

[Shannow]

Sheesh, the way you guys talk, the U.S. has NO tarrifs on anything, and has never taken any other company/country to the trade courts over tax breaks (or interest free loans).

 

[keith]

Socialism has infected Europe. Their economy is lagging behind and the gap to the US will increase even more. The Europeans really are clueless when they ask themselves why they can't compete with the US. They tried economic integration in Europe, and a common currency, and a weird kind of European Federal government. I can't wait to see what they try next!

To be fair, there are Europeans that do get it, Margaret Thatcher comes to mind.

With Social Security ponzi scheme, Medicare, Prescription Drugs and other budget busting boondoggles, we are destined to share in their misery. I guess it is all relative though, because they will still be far ahead of us.

Keith.

 

[Last_Z]

quote:

---

Originally posted by harper:
Why do you have to state that we are better or not? Different countries have great things to offer. There is no need to think you're better than anyone else. Dependant on who you are and where you are in life the US or Europe or third world may be the best.

There is nothing wrong with saying the US is best for me, but saying its the best for all and the best is wrong.

---

Exactly!! Europeans (mainly England, France and Germany) think of us as Hitler thought of Jews!.....with disgust. Apparantly, their $hit is made of Group 4 and 5 synthetics and smells like gummy bears. Ours smell like plain old $hit

 

[GSV]

quote:

---

Why do you have to state that we are better or not? Different countries have great things to offer. There is no need to think you're better than anyone else. Dependant on who you are and where you are in life the US or Europe or third world may be the best.

There is nothing wrong with saying the US is best for me, but saying its the best for all and the best is wrong.

---

Jeez, what a bunch of Postmodernist CRAP. Let me guess you just started College? Or you haven't been out the required 5 years to figure out what a load of SH** they tried to force feed you?

 

[J]

quote:

---

Originally posted by GSV:

quote:

---

Why do you have to state that we are better or not? Different countries have great things to offer. There is no need to think you're better than anyone else. Dependant on who you are and where you are in life the US or Europe or third world may be the best.

There is nothing wrong with saying the US is best for me, but saying its the best for all and the best is wrong.

---

Jeez, what a bunch of Postmodernist CRAP. Let me guess you just started College? Or you haven't been out the required 5 years to figure out what a load of SH** they tried to force feed you?

---

We're definitely better than the third world in
general. Due to greater heterogeneity, the West
has been able to mature and largely break free
from the shackles of culture and religion.

Europe is different. Europe should know better,
but is too regulated and too divided to be able
to amount to anything.

America is an accident. It has enough of
everything especially diversity to maintain its
status as hegemon for at least the next century.

I don't have problems with philosophy, but a
young mind in its twenties is too immature to
fully grasp philosophy. Everyone over thirty
should study philosophy though.

Jae

 

[Dan4510]

Jae,

I disagree with your statement:

I don't have problems with philosophy, but a
young mind in its twenties is too immature to
fully grasp philosophy. Everyone over thirty
should study philosophy though.
************************************************

I was reading Ayn Rand, Neitzche, John Locke, and others in my mid-teens. Didnt understand a lot then, but it added immeasureably to my academic success later when I did get a grip on them.

I think everyone at a young age should be exposed to as many philosophers as possible. they may not make use of it for a while, but at the very least they will be aware of them when they are ready. Much better than just ignoring the literature as many schools do today.

Dan

 

[harper]

Sorry wrong on age, your off by about 10 years. Lastly, have you travelled or lived outside the US to see anything to formulate your view?

 

[Dan4510]

quote:

---

Originally posted by harper:
Sorry wrong on age, your off by about 10 years. Lastly, have you travelled or lived outside the US to see anything to formulate your view?

---

Lived in England and Mexico for extended times. Mexico impressed me as the sphincter of the
universe.

England was much more cultered. But still so mired in socialism that it was depressing. Also when I lived there was just as they were convertering to absolute gun control. Even more depressing due to that. Good academic experience, but I wouldnt live there for any amount of money.

Dan

 

[sprintman]

Which years in the UK Dan?

 

[Dan4510]

1994 on an academic program. Got to spend 5 days in lock ness too. Spend many an afternoon in the British library. Very good days. Brought home $1000 worth of books too that you just cant get here.

Dan

 

[sprintman]

Dan
Big change in economy since then. About 4% unemployment now too. Actually looking for 500,000 foreign workers I heard on radio yesterday for construction etc. And as American Bill Bryson says in his book 'Notes From a Small Island' England and in particular London is still the best place in the world to buy a book.

 

[J]

quote:

---

Originally posted by sprintman:
Dan
Big change in economy since then. About 4% unemployment now too. Actually looking for 500,000 foreign workers I heard on radio yesterday for construction etc. And as American Bill Bryson says in his book 'Notes From a Small Island' England and in particular London is still the best place in the world to buy a book.

---

Tell me about it. I can't even get nice
commentary on Spinoza in the U.S.

Cheers,

Jae

[ March 02, 2004, 02:59 AM: Message edited by: J ]

 

[Scotto]

Jae,

There's plenty of fine commentary on Spinoza if you just look hard enough( Harry Wolfson for starters). In the states you have to work harder and dig deeper for these kinds of things, unlike in Europe.

Why not start your own commentary on Spinoza? You posts are intelligent and I think you might have something to add to his Philosophy.

Scott

[ March 02, 2004, 11:57 AM: Message edited by: Scotto ]

 

[sprintman]

Spinoza??