Victor Davis Hanson: Euromania. Europe to an American.

pajamasmedia.com ^ | May 23rd, 2008 | Victor Davis Hanson

[Tolik]

    Victor Davis Hanson Ping ! 

       Let me know if you want in or out.

Links:    FR Index of his articles:  http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=victordavishanson
                His website: http://victorhanson.com/
                NRO archive: http://www.nationalreview.com/hanson/hanson-archive.asp
                Pajamasmedia:   http://victordavishanson.pajamasmedia.com/

[Crolis]

Fascinating observations. Everytime I read VDH, I learn something.

[jpl]

The high tax, big government, secular, pacifist, and enforced egalitarianism of Europe–which seems the Obaman model– is something we should be very wary of emulating.

The good news is that it seems right now that the popularity of socialism is on a sharp decline in Europe, as their recent elections prove.

[sionnsar]

I'm over there 4-5 times a year (Berlin next week) and I'd say he's mostly correct. The one thing is WiFi service which is often expensive enough I just forgo it -- but I haven't encountered the difficulties and unreliability.

I've seen somewhat indirectly others' concern over German bullying (I work mostly with Germans so I'm not well positioned to see that).

But some things are just outrageous. In Copenhagen ca. 2002 the tariffs on hotel phones were so high, about $1-2/minute, my hotel put a warning label on the hotel room phones.

[bigfootbob]

BTTT

[steel_resolve]

There can only be one socialist union: it requires a capitalist wide-open trading partner and a Nato-like ally to offer it free defense as well as an easy target for cheap invective

hanson genius ping

[contemplator]

There can only be one socialist union: it requires a capitalist wide-open trading partner and a Nato-like ally to offer it free defense

VDH has a way of stating truths in the clearest, most profound ways possible. I am always amazed. I look forward to his articles simply because he is the only one out there who has the guts to tell it like it is without sugar coating it or burying it in academic terms and conjectures.

[A message]

As usual Hanson nails it.

At almost any hotel in the US, it takes about 3 minutes to log-in for 24-hour service at about $10;>

As one who travels much, our typical mid priced hotel in the $89- $119 price range has FREE hi speed internet. In fact I'm typing right now at one of those hotels and the internet is very good and FREE.

My last trip to Germany I stayed in a mid priced hotel and the internet was, if I recall correctly, $65 euros for a 7 day package. Basically the equivalent of what ONLY the higher priced convention center/downtown metropolis hotels charge here.

[Billthedrill]

Aw, you beat me to it. The last half-dozen places I've stayed in the States (and by NO means were they luxury hotels!) it's been "free," meaning included in the room price. Like water. Which brings up a very interesting contrast, not in cost, but in attitude. It turns out to be more expensive to administer a separate charge for its use than to simply provide its presence. That's cold, hard economics, not sentiment.

I'm guessing European hotels may figure this out, but if they don't I'd love to know why not. Excessive government interference? European FReepers, your comments on the topic are most welcome!

[Max in Utah]

Comments from Euro Freepers welcome. Victor Davis Hanson: Euromania. Europe to an American.

[Tolik]

ping

[Tolik]

Same here. Some regular business hotels offer a free breakfast. Not as good as a paid one, but free. I stayed in one that offers one free beer to start a “happy hour”!

[RedStateRocker]

One of the best things about VDH is the lack of invective and hyperbole. Little ranting about ‘treason’ or ‘traitors’, and no juvenile making fun of names; just simple, unadorned and un-exaggerated facts placed in historical and cultural context.

[absalom01]

Two notes on Anti-Americanism this trip: one, it seems on the wane; two, it is almost an exclusively urban and elite phenomenon.

That's been my experience as well, and really, it always seemed to have been an "elite" fashion, not some deep-held cultural animus.

I've always liked Europe, (even France). I'm gonna miss it when it's gone.

[knighthawk]

Europe-list

If people want on or off this list, please let me know.

[maica]

There can only be one socialist union: it requires a capitalist wide-open trading partner and a Nato-like ally to offer it free defense as well as an easy target for cheap invective

00000

THis is the same dynamic with Canadians and their “single payer” ie government health care. Anyone with a serious problem just comes to the US instead of waiting in long lines. What will Canadians do if our health care goes “single payer?”

[prairiebreeze]

bump for AM

[prairiebreeze]

bump for AM

[Cacique]

btt