[OldFriend]

Just think, her heinous wants us to be more like europe. She just loves their health care system.

People like kerry and biden think we ought to be more european too.

It's not just the personal, it's the elected officials on the left who want to make us more like france and germany.

G-D save us from these idiots.

[pissant]

I've been reading about the decline of the American work ethic for 25 years. It has yet to materialize, and won't any time soon.

[Brilliant]

Key statistics: The number of U.S. doctorates in science and engineering peaked in 1998. In 1970, the U.S. accounted for more than half such degrees; by 2010, just 15 percent. By 2010, China will produce more science and engineering doctoral graduates that we will.

I would suggest a refresher course in grammar for Mr. Glassman.

[coconutt2000]

The issue of the U.S. leading in innovation and growth has more to do with our freedom and our economic structure as a mostly capitalist system.

Even if we don't produce the majority of the doctoral degrees or engineers in the world, many of those that are produced will be employed by U.S. companies directly or indirectly.

If we attempted to monopolize intellect, we'd stagnate. We just need to adapt the changes in the world and continue to innovate and grow, and the best way to do that is to keep our economic and commercial structures unencumbered.

[ladtx]

I lived in Germany for 3 years (1982-1985) when I was in the service. Of course it was during the height of the cold war and they were glad to have us there, at least those who lived near the East German border. It was one of the most enjoyable places I have ever lived. The city of Fulda was clean, virtually no crime, no slums, no panhandlers, all the cars were well maintained, never saw one junker on the streets. Hausfraus would sweep their lawns with a broom. We had beer delivered weekly much as the old milkman used to deliver milk. If you wanted you could take your dog into a restaurant, and the germans did just that and you never knew they were there. Then there was the bier at the Kruezberg monastery, none better anywhere. (Sigh) I miss it, but not the times the siren would go off and we would have to go in on practice alerts at 3 AM.

[seacapn]

Sweden has had 3.2% GDp growth this year and 5% unemployment. It goes to show the value of a well-trained workforce. One of the problems we will face in the future is the fact that a sizeable chunk of people are just "unproductive." They don't have the skills or will or worth ethic. Unless schools rise to the challenge, this could become a serious structural problem as India and China begin to nibble away at basic functions like R&D. The number of patents coming from labs in those countries is slowly but surely rising.

[Redbob]

"The notion that Europe will be able to compete with resurgent China and India in the next 30 years is laughable."

Not at all.

In far less time than that the standard of living in Europe will have dropped well below that in China or India, and Europe will have become a prime source for cheap, unskilled labor!

[joesnuffy]

The dreams of the idle rich and nouveau wannabes....

[slowhand520]

I would say we are half way there. 90% of democrats act like them already

[DustyMoment]

Are Americans Becoming Europeans?

I sincerely hope not.

[Lou L]

If there is a greater pleasure than eating a plate of Insalata Caprese (tomatoes, mozzarella, basil and cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil) on a sunny terrace on the Amalfi Coast with the islands where the Sirens lured Ulysses in the distance, then I haven't found it yet.

Sure there is, you little Euro-twerp. How about Wings & beer at a Super Bowl party with two dozen friends, watching the game on a 60" HDTV?

[RedWhiteBlue]

Insalata Caprese (tomatoes, mozzarella, basil and cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil)

Ha! Coincidentally, that dish is on my menu for the evening meal, using fresh basil from my little culinary herb garden.

[gitmo]

Key statistics: The number of U.S. doctorates in science and engineering peaked in 1998. In 1970, the U.S. accounted for more than half such degrees; by 2010, just 15 percent. By 2010, China will produce more science and engineering doctoral graduates that we will.

This is hardly the driving factor behind the US dominance in technology. Some people attribute race (caucasian), some people attribute something inherent in the "American work ethic", some people say we have more natural resources. All easily discounted.

The American form of government, built on a foundation of individual liberty and a very limited government, provides an atmosphere that incubates economic growth and technological advancement.

Our form of government has been diluted over the last 50 years, but there are hopeful signs that we may be starting to turn back to our rightful (Constitutional) form of government.