Posted on 11/30/2004 11:06:38 AM PST by quidnunc
Major foreign policy differences, especially regarding the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, have contributed to the deterioration of relationships between the United States and our traditional allies in Western Europe. There can be no doubt that some European leaders stonewalled the Bush administration on Iraq in order to provide lateral support to the Kerry campaign. With the Bush victory, however, Europe may choose the wiser path of mending fences with Washington.
Yet an anti-American spirit has been unleashed in the European street, and it will be difficult to tame, not only because of foreign policy but also because of economics. Poor economic performance in Europe feeds a politics of resentment, and the scapegoat has been the United States.
In 2000, the European Union launched the ambitious Lisbon process, a reform agenda enabling the EU to become "the most competitive and dynamic, knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth, creating more and better jobs and greater social cohesion" by 2010. Lisbon also was a declaration of competition with the United States for global economic primacy. A commission headed by former Dutch Prime Minister Wim Koks recently determined, however, that European economic performance was deeply disappointing. The gap with the United States has been growing larger, and the Lisbon goals are further away than ever.
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(Excerpt) Read more at pittsburghlive.com ...
The EU is also pushing a "Tax Stabilization" policy which would require all low taxes to be raised to the highest level.
The "Tax Stabilization" policy is in direct opposition to the Lisbon process, a reform agenda enabling the EU to become "the most competitive and dynamic, knowledge-based economy in the world...
Which policy will win? I'd bet on the liberal socialists raising taxes.
They only have themselves to blame for the failure of their socialistic economic policies. Don't blame us.
No one should imagine that Europe is strong economically because the Euro is going up against the dollar. Far from it. We have economic problems caused by our balance of payments deficit, but European economic problems are far worse. The future of Europe looks exceedingly dismal.
How deliciously ironic.
The very 'attitude' that allows us to excel, is what they HATE...
Yet in avoiding the process that comes from that 'attitude', they ensure worse growth which they in turn hate is even more for.
ROTFL..... didn't they miss the part where you focus on yourself and ask why things are the way they are (or does it always go back to... 'they are that way because of the united state')
The more I can do to increase the gap between the EU and US, the better. Living well is the best revenge and I want to live well at the expense of European jobs.
That IS the free-market way!
Can you explain that to us economics idiots in layman's terms? I've been hearing a lot of cackling about the dollar vs. the Euro and have been wondering what it all means.
Thanks.
Huh? Good heavens - anyone seen this study? This would be extremely interesting if true.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
Do you think it might occur to these Euroeunuchs to wonder why?
Things have gotten worse! Imagine that!
Saying things should get better is not enough huh? Wishful thinking can't trump reality?
There must be intelligent effort involved?
Who'da thunk?
Another name for that policy is economic redistribution. Always a bad thing.
How hard will you work if it's "to each according to his needs"?
No. That is the way of greed and one-upmanship. We should want Europe to do well and hope that they straighten up and do better politically. We should not be about benefiting at their expense to spite them. That doesn't mean we lay down for them or put up with them either. If you're trying to make them see the light - so to speak - you don't do it by kicking the crap out of them. Europe, by and large, has been fed the same liberal line that the media here has been trying to shove down our throats for two generations. Europe hasn't had the benefit of a Fox News and a Rush Limbaugh et al. Try to keep some perspective. Our handling of the Iraq situation has been fed to the European public as a persecution in order to cover for the Corruption of the political leaders of that union by Iraq's now deposed leader. The press in europe is largely government owned. A government owned press is intended for the control of the people. And how do we think the people would react if they know that their politicians were being bribed to alienate them from America.. How cheaply can leaders be bought and freedoms and truth shunned. Not much different than the politicians in the US being bought off by Corporations to do their dirtywork while selling all us out in the name of 'higher profits' through the use of foriegn slaves while they export our jobs. Truth really ticks off those who stand to lose by it's outing. Thus the european press has dutifully made Europe hate us to cover for politicians so that they could profit off the enslavement, abuse and use of the Iraqi people. How would you have reacted differently in their shoes? Now that it's out, at least the Europeans are starting to wake up and do something about it. You guys just voted for two guys who both are dedicated to letting Corporate america crap on you and let them get by with not discussing the matter in full. And now the charade will continue so long as you do nothing. Who's the bunch of unwashed superior idiots here? Look in the mirror and ask yourself how you expect to be treated and treat them with the same dignity and respect. Then clean your own house.
You clearly do not understand how business works. Nor do you seem to understand how freedom works also.
I am not interested in Europe "seeing the light" nor do I expect European businesses to worry about me having a job. My wigit company is all about keeping the doors open, turning a profit, and putting my competitors out of business. Period. Their guys are doing all they can to put me out of business. That's called competition. Try it sometime.
Europe's media is not my problem. I don't rally care what Europeans do or think. If they don't have a free media, that's THEIR problem. They have made their own decisions and now must live with them. The problem, of course, is that Europe has been woefully unable to deal with their problems over the last 100 years and end up looking to the New World for the help.
You act like my business is some sort of socialist program for international affairs. Here's the freedom part - If you want to risk YOUR money, you can run YOUR business any way you want as long as you are not breaking any laws. Your risk, your profit - or maybe your loss. It takes a certain kind of person to put their own $$ on the line instead of just talking about how things should be. Looks like you're not one of them, champ. I am so tired of loud-mouthed leftists screaming about EVIL businesses (I live in Calif.). How dare you try to force you morality down my throat.
Finally, treating someone with dignity and respect is something that is earned! Nobody automatically acrues respect just because they exist or because some business-hating poster on a message board says you have to.
You're going to have to do better than ad-hominum attacks. Your ideology is showing.
Oh, I fully understand how business works. But I also understand there is such a thing as right and wrong. There is such a thing as law too. And I understand that with many of you apologist types, all three go out the window if you can excuse it by saying to yourself - "I'll make more money if..". Some Germans years ago, I'm sure, thought, I'll make more money at my store when we get rid of them jews. Sure they're evil, and doing away with them will be good for profits... Sieg Heil. All kinds of things can look good for the moment or be excused with the right propaganda or bs psych job. As far as your personal business is concerned. Yes, you can run it anyway you want - within the law and within the bouns of right and wrong. If you cross those lines, you are responsible for it - not me. That is the point. That is the whole point. I become responsible only insofar as I know what you're doing and don't at least try to correct you. If you want to make excuses for being immoral, treaonous, etc, I could care less. Excuses are like opinions. Excuse yourself in front of the mirror and see who you convince. Even if you can make yourself believe it, God won't. And your argument in the end will be to him. In the mean time, try explaining to your grandchildren what you do to others to make the money to buy their presents if you're doing shady or unamerican things. And be honest, don't couch it. The minute you start couching, you're hiding from your actions and forfeit the ability to deny conscience. OOps. Treating someone with dignity and respect for being human is not something that is earned. Respect is earned to a degree. But respect for life is something that is inate and must be willfully ignored. If you can't tell the difference, you've made that argument for me. And btw, I've made no ad-hominem attacks. I can illustrate one quite easily as I'm sure you can. If you want to talk about competition, we can talk competition. What are you doing about it besides giving in to the evil you detest? It was wrong up till you started doing it - right. That is how it works when we try to bs ourselves into saying it's ok that I turned into my own enemy.. Walmart is subverting the economy and unless I do it, I'll go out of business. Well, gee, let me think. Do I subvert my own economy.. The Germans are shooting my soldiers and if I don't they'll shoot me.. hmm. Gee, the moral dilema. Amazing how things seem so clear all of a sudden when we stop bsing one another and start looking honestly at things - for those of us that can and will. Some would rather close their eyes and shoot their brother to save themselves instead of weighing into the enemy. There are good men that do the right thing, there are cowards and there are traitors. Save your excuses for yourself.
Funny how you immedietly assume that A) I am running my business in an immoral way, B)You know how God is going to judge me, C) That everyone who doesn't agree with you is ignorant, and D) That businesses are evil. Hmmmm... Sounds like an ad-hominum attack to me.
Now maybe if you actually knew me, you might be able to state something one way or another about my business or how I conduct my affairs, but you don't and you can't. Bigotry is funny that way, the more you actually know, the less you are inclined to just spew out a bunch of generalized, socialist talking points. I see a lot of it from the socialists in the area where I live - They are people filled with hate who thump their chests at how tolerent, and love-filled they are. Maybe you're the one who needs to look in the mirror and jetison some of that bigotry that you're carrying around. You may feel better.
Here's my bottom-line, dude, and it is not subject to, nor dependant on what you think. You can be rest assured that I live very well with myself. I do the best that I can by my employees. I treat them fairly and not in an evil way as you so ignorantly assume. I work every day to make a living just like you. I am responsible for the livlihoods and health-care of dozens of families. How many people's jobs and health-care do you provide? None I bet. You see, talk like yours is cheap. Kind of like the Lisbon agreement - nothing but talk by a bunch of posturing, chest-thumping Europeans so filled with hate like so many of the socialists that I know out here, yet they all think they know more than anyone else.
My job is to make sure I can continue to provide jobs for people and make more if I can - i.e. by putting the other guy out of business and taking their market share.
The article was about how the Europeans are falling farther and farther behind North America economically. Tough luck for the Europeans. Maybe they should take care of themselves rather than worrying about America. What it doesn't state is that Europe is falling behind Asia as well. Maybe you're the one with their eyes closed shooting at their brother - Envy and jealously are terrible things. Who knows, I may eliminate your job some day.
I assumed no such thing, I used the concept of the happenstance as an illustration of my points. You're so busy trying to find something to be mad about that you have scant any idea what else is happening. That's pretty common for people on the extreme defense about their beliefs..
First one to use the word "scant" loses the arguement, sorry, dude.
Ah, the great copout and making stuff up as you go to facilitate it argument. This is a grand display of cowardice ROFL.
And not addressing your opponent's points is also a classic. I had to poke some fun at you because I have never heard anyone use the word "shant". It made me smile. My guess is that you are from the UK or some pointy-headed theorist.
I'm still waiting to hear from you how many familys you provide jobs for or some practical reason why I should give your opinions the time of day. It's easy to lecture on the evils of business, but actions speak louder than words. My experience out here in California is that OUR socialists, at least, are some of the bigget hypocrites on the face of the planet - long on marxist theory, but absolutely no practical experience in actually meeting a payroll, delivering services, or implementing their marxist "ideals" in their daily lives. In other words, OUR socialists are the types that will rail against big business as they go into the Wall-Mart or will tell you all about how they care about the environment as they get into their SUV.
Havoc, my friend, I am trying to figure out if you are this type of person.
My central arguement is this - You are entitled to your own opinions on business, but you appear to not understand how free markets work - how competition is the engine of lower prices, continual improvements, and technological innovations - how this is achieved through trying putting your competition out of business as they attempt to do the same to you - both of you get better because you have to.
Correlary to that is the admonishment that if you think business should be conducted a certain way within the law, then you should put YOUR $$ at risk and conduct YOUR business any way you want. Anyone smart enough to lecture everyone else about how business should work needs to be more than just talk. So far, all you have given me is talk and theory. Go put them into practice. I "shant" hold my breath.
See, socialists/marxists are really good at spending other people's $$, but never their own. Ever notice that? Note my tagline - Don't tread on me!
This isn't a story about competition, sir. Competition is involved in some places; but, it isn't about Competition. But I've no doubt that when slavery was outlawed in this country, the same things were being parroted about against "pointy headed" idealists who didn't know a thing about business or they wouldn't be giving them colords their freedom.. As it happens, we had to go to war over that problem in order to settle it. Because businessmen would not be constrained by ethics to do the right thing.
Now, you can whine about how awful it is to have to balance a ledger, correct an employee, pay them a decent wage, etc. I really don't care. Those are things all business people must do. And somehow, the mom and pop outfits did it for years within the rules till the politicians decided that dumping could be a good thing if it were Americans doing it to themselves rather than an enemy. Dumping is wrong - whether at the wage level or the product level. But since it is now in vogue to use labor that cost less than slavery would in the modern day instead of using actual slaves, there is no compunction about racing to an imbalanced playing field to screw the US economy and laborer in favor of Vast profits for a few unethical companies. Even Bush recognizes the problem but can't seem to muster the moral fortitude to do something about it while he plays lipservice to the issue by promising to 'level the playing field' to make trade 'more fair'. Amazingly, you aren't calling him a socialist - yet. I'm calling him impared by bad judgement.
Capone saw breaking the law as 'just good business'. The mob has always seen breaking the law as 'just good business.' Slavery was 'just good business'. How dare those cops and troops men act so arbitrarily to uphold the laws of this land. They've probably never had to hire someone, compete... Blow it out your ear, sir. You're handwringing - struggling for an excuse for yourself. There is none. There is right and there is wrong. We all screw up. The mark of character is admitting it and working to correct it when we do. You are willing to do neither and are begging excuse. Save your labels for yourself.
"But since it is now in vogue to use labor that cost less than slavery would in the modern day instead of using actual slaves"
You're funny. Ok, show me how MY workers are being paid worse than slaves. Waiting... Waiting...
Oh sorry, you don't even know how much my employees make. Funny how you are able to broad brush businessmen without any real facts about the business they are in. That is the mark of a bigot and ideolgue. Sorry if the shoe fits, but you know nothing about me or how I conduct my business. Painting me as somehow evil may fit your personal worldview, but is patently false. It may make you feel good to compare me to a slave-holder, or Al Capone, but it is this type of hysterical hyperbole that people with common sense see right through and reject - As they rightly did in the election, by the way.
Guess what, I might agree with you on a good portion of what you are presenting if you could get past the ideological ranting and into specifics. You seem to be confusing my small business with Wal-Mart or some such. Too bad. You seem unable to distinguish between people who are doing things right and people who are doing things wrong, despite what you keep writing. This is also the mark of an ideologue.
You clearly have no business experience, or you have failed at it in the past. Maybe you should learn something about that which you write or at least be discerning enough not to lump everyone into the same bucket. That's what bigots do.
To paraphrase Twain, "It is better to keep your mouth shut and let people think you are stupid, than to open your mouth and confirm they are right."
The great thing is that people like you help keep republicans in power.
As I said at the begining, living well is the best revenge. I am living well and I don't need your approval for it. We disagree with no hope of reaching a consensus. A good businessman knows when to cut his losses and move on. I will move on.
Psssst - Free markets INCLUDE competition as one of their components. Markets that do not include competition are, by definition, not free. But if you actually knew something about business, you would already know that.
Later champ.
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