Posted on 03/29/2009 2:15:59 AM PDT by Scanian
The question posed by social scientist Charles Murray at the American Enterprise Institute's annual dinner this month could hardly have been simpler — Do Americans want the United States to be like Europe?
He asked as someone who admires Europe and Europeans. He asked also because it is becoming increasingly apparent that restructuring the United States along the lines of the European social-democratic model is the change many in the new administration - perhaps including President Obama himself - believe in.
Mr. Murray is convinced that Europeanizing America is a bad idea, and not only because the European model creates chronically “sclerotic economies.” More significant, he says, is the fact that embracing the European model means discarding the Founders' revolutionary re-invention of government, and of the relationship between the state and the citizen. Mr. Murray argues this would inevitably “enfeeble” the habits and institutions that have been singularly responsible for making America “robust and vital” - an “exceptional” nation.
The intent of the modern European welfare state, Mr. Murray says, is laudable: to take “some of the trouble” out of life. Dealing with troubles, he concedes, is not always easy or pleasant, but it can lead to satisfactions accessible through no other means. By contrast, those relieved of important responsibilities tend to while away their days “as pleasantly as possible.”
And so, in Europe, one sees a diminishing work ethic, catastrophically declining birthrates, a dwindling sense of nation and community, and empty churches.
I would add this: Such a society is no match for the challenge of radical Islam
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
” “Will America become more like Europe?” “
This is America!! We’re out to out-Europe Europe...
I am no longer convinced that there are no tears in heaven.
My long departed grandfather fought in WW II, served in the US Navy for 20 years, and I know he must be crying for his country right now.
Dear God, don’t forgive them, for they do know what they are doing.
Good night....
Our ancestors left Europe, for good reasons!
Do enough Americans still believe that? More to the point, are we willing to fight for it? There may be no questions of greater consequence over the years ahead.
Good article by May, and good quote from Murray. I read Murray's talk last week and I was impressed by his idea of the error of the government's trying to "take the trouble out of things."
BTW, I think Bambi likes the European model, but I think he and the people behind him don't believe it has gone far enough and they want an even more statist and oppressive system. In addition, they are fundamentally anti-European and anti-Western, and you're going to see more non-European influence in the US government (ranging from his calls for more Muslims in our government to the ongoing Kenyan party days at the WH). This is not good.
Do Americans want the United States to be like Europe?
HELL NO
That all ended with Ted Kennedy in the 60’s who decided on “Country Quotas”. In other words so many people from each country could come in just because there was space on the list.
These new immigrants came here for many different reasons...many because they could live better on welfare here than they could making a living in their own countries. Many could not speak English, had no skills, no way of making a living, had no relatives to fall back on, no education and no intention of letting go of the way they lived in their “home” country.
Thank you Ted Kennedy for all you have done to America.
Anyone in the U.S. who wants America to be like Europe — should MOVE to Europe.
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