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Yes he is losing it a bit in my view. Before September European welfare-state benefits would lead people to sit on their backsides not doing anything according to Steyn (which is to a very large extent true, of course).

But now European welfare-state benefits lead people to become very, very active and blow others up without warning. Sorry, Steyn, nice try but ludicrous.

I am really tired of this perverted 80s ideology that somehow Americans work whereas Europeans (whoever they might be) do nothing. It just is so devoid of any sense of reality that the argument should have become a joke long ago. Since so many on this site seem to believe it and derive a lot if not all of their national pride from it, the argument has gone beyond a joke and is actually becoming a dangerous piece of propaganda and American self-delusion (sorry Steyn, the Englsih are not the only ones capable of that error).

Bear in mind, though, that Steyn himself is Canadian of course, and also that....

Of course Steyn used generalities and stereotypes. He exagerated to expose the Euro's own generalizations and stereotypes about Israel and the US, pretty effectively IMO.

Personally, I like the Euros, Paris being just about my favorite place in the world. Western civilization is the great acheivment of reformation and renaissance Europe, although now in decay there.

That said, the Euro welfare state is creating a serious problem. With few exceptions (Britian has done a reasonably good job)the Euros have refused to reform their labor laws, which has resulted in unemployment persisting around 10%, even during the boom. So most Euro countries have able bodied men on long term welfare and unemployment benefits. Not good for the long term stability of their societies.

Even more worrying is the Euro drift toward a continental authoritarian regime in the EU. Since Charlamagne every attempt to impose a European-wide state has been defeated by nation states, which have been the guarantors of European liberty. Britain was instrumental in defeating attempts by Phillip of Spain, Napoleon and Hitler to dominate Europe. As the last issue of the Economist opined, now is they time for the Euros to decide if the EU will remain an economic union or if they will try to forge a European state. The next ten years will be crucial.

I am really tired of this perverted 80s ideology that somehow Americans work whereas Europeans (whoever they might be) do nothing. It just is so devoid of any sense of reality that the argument should have become a joke long ago.

Yes, the Europeans work. I mean, having abortions, killing off the elderly with euthanasia, running child pornography rings, having periodic pogroms of the Jews... that all requires a lot of work.

NOT.

Europe is a toilet, and should be treated as such. If they don't like it, too bad. We have more nukes.

You are on to something here, NewAmsterdam. Europe, like America, has those who want to work and those who don't. However, I think some European governments reward non-work too much which is demoralizing to the rest. Works that way here too. I love Amsterdam, by the way.