[iowamark]

A couple of weeks old, but a truly outstanding statement by Mr. Hannan. Please read the entire essay at the link.

[iowamark]

Daniel Hannan speaking in Colorado last week:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjlCloEjA-k

[Fiddlstix]

BTTT

[mlocher]

Liberty, Fraternity, Equality.

When you think of the French slogan, there are glaring contradictions. No, we don't need this slogan in the US.

[Clock King]

Time to resurrect the ghosts of William Wallace and George Washington.

[Jumper]

Count back 40-years.... In 1947 the Marshall Plan began 20+ years of transfers of money to war torn European countries; once the monies run out, they instituted VATs as a temporary measure beginning in 68-71 in every country. As the Marshall payments drew down, the VATs went up and became permanent.

Conclusion: Without the Marshall Plan, the European countries could have never implement their Social Welfare State. The USA paid the bills in grants/loans that allowed the instutitionalization of socialized Europe.

Today, Europe is pulling back from the 100% funded social welfare state - another conclusion is that they will never be able to sustain it without Crony Deals with Dictators who seize the wealth from poorer countries leaving them poorer and enriching the Eurolites.