The problem is that you’re getting neither. We don’t have to follow the Scandinavian model exactly, but we really can’t continue what we’re doing. It’s absolutely absurd at every level.
“The problem is that you’re getting neither. We don’t have to follow the Scandinavian model exactly, but we really can’t continue what we’re doing. It’s absolutely absurd at every level.”
- America is a shining beacon of human spirit and endeavor.
Like Europe is.
Take the time to feel downhearted, because sometimes it’s natural to perceive of things in that maner, but never turn your back on your one and only true home on this Earth.
America has the great deeds and words of Jefferson and Lincoln. Efforts and declarations going hand in hand which have defined the concept of human progress through centuries.
Here in Europe, we salute Beethoven and Schiller, two children of the same noble tradition of enlightment, democracy and patriotism as Washington, B Franklin, Jefferson and Lincoln.
The following poem was written by Schiller in 1785. Some years later on, Beethoven put music to it and thereby created his 9th symphony - by many considered the greatest piece of music ever composed by man.
Today, It is the anthem of the European Union.
The music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-mvutiDRvQ
The lyrics in translation from 18th century German:
“Joy, beautiful sparkle of the gods,
Daughter of Elysium,
We enter, fire-drunk,
Heavenly one, your shrine.
Your magics bind again
What custom has strictly parted.
(1785 version: What custom’s sword has parted.)
All men become brothers
(1785 version: Beggars become princes’ brothers.)
Where your tender wing lingers.
Chorus
Be embraced, millions!
This kiss of the entire world!
Brothers, above the starry canopy
Must a loving Father reside.
Whoever has succeeded in the great attempt
To be a friend’s friend;
Whoever has won a lovely woman
Add in his jubilation!
Yes, who calls even one soul
His own on the earth’s sphere!
And whoever never could achieve this,
Let him steal away crying from this gathering!
Those who occupy the great circle,
Pay homage to sympathy!
It leads to the stars
Where the unknown one reigns.
All creatures drink joy
At the breasts of nature,
All good, all evil
Follow her trail of roses.
Kisses she gave us, and the vine,
A friend, proven in death.
Pleasure was given to the worm,
And the cherub stands before God.
Do you fall down, you millions?
Do you sense the creator, world?
Seek him above the starry canopy,
Above the stars he must live.
Joy is the name of the strong spring
In eternal nature.
Joy, joy drives the wheels
In the great clock of worlds.
She lures flowers from the buds,
Suns out of the firmament,
She rolls spheres in the spaces
That the seer’s telescope does not know.
Happy, as his suns fly
Through the heaven’s magnificent plain
Run, brothers, your track
Joyfully, as a hero to victory.
From the fiery mirror of truth
She smiles upon the researcher,
Towards virtue’s steep hill
She guides the endurer’s path.
Upon faith’s sunlit mountain
One sees her banners in the wind,
Through the opening of burst coffins
One sees her standing in the chorus of angels.
Endure courageously, millions!
Endure for the better world!
There above the starry canopy
A great God will reward.
Gods one cannot repay
Beautiful it is, to be like them.
Grief and poverty, acquaint yourselves
With the joyful ones rejoice.
Anger and revenge be forgotten,
Our deadly enemy be forgiven,
No tears shall he shed
No remorse shall gnaw at him
Our debt registers be abolished
Reconcile the entire world!
Brothers, over the starry canopy
God judges, as we judged.
Joy bubbles in the cup,
In the grape’s golden blood
Cannibals drink gentleness
The fearful, courage
Brothers, fly from your perches,
When the full cup is passed,
Let the foam spray to the heavens
This glass to the good spirit
He whom the spirals of stars praise,
He whom the seraphim’s hymn glorifies,
This glass to the good spirit
Above the starry canopy!
Courage firm in great suffering,
Help there, where innocence weeps,
Eternally sworn oaths,
Truth towards friend and foe,
Mens’ pride before kings’ thrones —
Brothers, even if it costs property and blood, —
The crowns to those who earn them,
Defeat to the lying brood!
Close the holy circle tighter,
Swear by this golden vine:
Remain true to the vows,
Swear by the judge above the stars!
Escape the tyrants’ chains,
Generosity also to the villain,
Hope upon the deathbeds,
Mercy from the high court!
The dead, too, shall live!
Brothers, drink and chime in,
All sinners shall be forgiven,
And hell shall be no more.
A serene departing hour!
Sweet sleep in the shroud!
Brothers—a mild sentence
From the final judge!”
Eternal greetings from Europe to America!!
“The problem is that you’re getting neither.”
In no way did I intend to suggest the US has either small government or a working Scandinavian model of corporate friendly Socialism. The problem is that the US will never have a workable Socialism, regardless of the model it is based on. The way out of our mess is a long, hard road towards smaller, less intrusive government, not towards an agreeable Socialism. While not an Islamic wreck like Libya, the US is equally different from any of the Scandinavian cultures. Liberty and individualism and a return to our unique Western roots is the only way to salvage the US out of our long downward slide. It will take a strong political fight to cut government back, but that is the easy part. The cultural fight to regain moral sanity and the values that once made this a great nation to live in is a fight that too many Americans are ill-equipped to wage.