Should We Copy Europe?

Human Events ^ | 11-22-06 | Walter E. Williams

[xtinct]

Some Americans look to European countries such as France, Germany and its Scandinavian neighbors and suggest that we adopt some of their economic policies. I agree, we should look at Europe for the lessons they can teach us. Dr. Daniel Mitchell, research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, does just that in his paper titled "Fiscal Policy Lessons from Europe."

Government spending exceeds 50 percent of the GDP in France and Sweden and more than 45 percent in Germany and Italy , compared to U.S. federal, state and local spending of just under 36 percent. Government spending encourages people to rely on handouts rather than individual initiative, and the higher taxes to finance the handouts reduce incentives to work, save and invest. The European results shouldn't surprise anyone. U.S. per capita output in 2003 was $39,700, almost 40 percent higher than the average of $28,700 for European nations,.

[Calvin Locke]

should we follow lemmings off the cliff?

In marketing, there's a term called post-purchase dissonance.

That is, "Did I make the right decision in buying the pig-in-a-poke?"

So, there are techniques to persuade the "consumer" that the purchase was "correct".

Putting aside personally preferences, economics, suitability, etc., one can attack the ego, among
other things, and suggest that the person was a fool for buying XYZ. The shackles go up, and XYZ gets
defended to the death, including trying to convince others to buy XYZ.

That's part of the lemming phenomenon.

[chatham]

Follow Europe only if we want to end up in the Toilet like them.
It'sssssssssss Overrrrrrrrrrrrrr in Europestan.
Forever.

[mutley]

"Should We Copy Europe?"

I don't like this question. I like these better.

Should we occupy Europe?
Should we carry Europe?
Should we cancel Europe?
Should we euthanize Europe?

[AlexW]

"You live in what Rumsfeld called 'New Europe'"

Yes, this is NEW Europe, not to be confused with the dead
Europe.
Even though I am a Tennessee boy, I resent people on here that think all of Europe is France, Britain, and Germany.
Many of the wisecracks on here are from people that have never been to Europe and probably could not find Slovakia on a map.
Slovakia is, or about to become the largest auto manufacturing country in Europe. Even Pugeot has a new plant here, along with Volkswagon, and Kia.

"When these plants are fully operational in 2007, there will be up to 850,000 cars (estimated up to 1,000,000 cars) produced annually in Slovakia, making it the largest producer of automobiles per capita in the world."

Yes, I am concerned about the actions of the EU, but I think
central Europe will be able to stand its ground against
the dinosaurs.

[Dead Dog]

One word. Napoli.

[Mac1]

I'm always like..."do ya want a 70% tax rate?!"

The UK does NOT have a 70% tax rate; the top rate of tax is 40% for those earning over £35000 (say $65000) per annum. Don't know about the continent. We DID have 98% top rate of tax in the late 70s, but that went down under Thatcher (just as the top rate of 90% was dramatically cut under Reagan). The way things are currently, NO UK govt would DREAM of a 70% tax rate if it wanted to stay in power for much longer.

[dforest]

Jon Cary would like that!