Posted on 11/15/2010 5:36:35 PM PST by Kaslin
The American right is increasingly worried about the rise of European-style social democracy in the United States.
Conservative columnist Charles Kraut-hammer refers to President Obama's "social democratic agenda," while former House Speaker Newt Gingrich warns against "European socialism" in America.
In fact, the traditional American economic model based on small government and private initiative has been under attack for a long time.
Europe's social democracies themselves, however, are also undergoing change. While the Bush and Obama administrations may have increased the size and scope of government in the United States, a number of European countries have turned to free- market solutions.
True, the European left sees social-democratic Europe as the antithesis of America's "cutthroat capitalism." Germany's left uses the term "American conditions" as shorthand for a total lack of a social safety net.
In reality, the annual price tag of anti-poverty programs ($600 billion), unemployment insurance ($60 billion) and Social Security payments and Medicare benefits ($1.2 trillion) in the U.S. is staggering.
The American left sees Europe as an inspiration. Earlier this year, Paul Krugman declared European social democracy as "a success" that "demonstrates ... (that) social justice and progress can go hand in hand." In reality, the left on both sides of the Atlantic hangs onto an image of a Europe that no longer exists — if it ever did.
(Excerpt) Read more at investors.com ...
They cling to an image of America that never existed either.
Too bad Europe is almost a muslim nation, time to kick that crap to the curb..let that be your first action..
The Left persists because it actually believes its own propaganda. The Left will fail because it actually believes its own propaganda.
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