The US also started with a much higher GINI coeffecent than other countries on that list.
"America is no longer a Western nation"
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The US also started with a much higher GINI coeffecent than other countries on that list.
Patroklos
Deity
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As for the rioting, you will note that no-one in Britain is smugly proclaiming the superiority of their system. We are probably the one European country that is deeply regretting the path it has gone down and wishing that it hadn't bothered
Its not just Britian, but Greece is another example. France does it from time to time.
Ziggy Stardust
Absolutely Sane
You have to agree at least that it's odd that during times when disparity between rich and poor is growing, there's talk of socialism in America. Obama may be spreading the wealth, but he's spreading it the wrong way according to socialist ideology.
Ajidica
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It isn't just when they are unhappy with the government. The french riot whenever there isn't anything good on TV so something good will come on.
Bamspeedy
CheeseBob
My point is that the US isn't really getting farther away from Europe (as a recent trend), it started away from Europe decades ago, and if anything many countries in Europe are getting closer to America in this regard.
Ziggy Stardust
Absolutely Sane
BS always floats to the surface.Seem like no matter what you do, we always come out on top doesn't it?
Winner
Diverse in Unity
Of course, the article is not about debt, it's about concentration of wealth in the society and the ways in which this undermines what we call "Western democracy".
RedRalph
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Seem like no matter what you do, we always come out on top doesn't it?
Who is 'we'?
Mr. Dictator
A Chain-Smoking Fox
The united front of libertarians, of course.
SwampYanqui
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From the Augstein article:
"The US is a country where the system of government has fallen firmly into the hands of the elite."
Such as George Soros, worth an estimated $25 Billion, who funds many political endeavors- Democratic Party endeavors. Such as Senator John Kerry, worth an estimated $200 hundred million. Senator Kerry was the Democratic Party candidate for President in 2004. Seven out of the richest 10 in the US Congress are Democrats.
"The US is a country where the system of government has fallen firmly into the hands of the elite."
Such as George Soros, worth an estimated $25 Billion, who funds many political endeavors- Democratic Party endeavors. Such as Senator John Kerry, worth an estimated $200 hundred million. Senator Kerry was the Democratic Party candidate for President in 2004. Seven out of the richest 10 in the US Congress are Democrats.
Verbose
Deity
And the argument is occasionally made from the US side that the politically elect being wealthy as Croisus is a good thing for democracy. Supposedly it makes them less susceptible to bribery or somesuch.
You are aware that a standard quip in the European side of the Atlantic is that US politics comes with only the choice of a conservative party, and an even more conservative one? Any dirt of this kind you've got on the Democratic party will only strengthen that perception.
SwampYanqui
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Verbose:
"You are aware that a standard quip in the European side of the Atlantic is that US politics comes with only the choice of a conservative party, and an even more conservative one? Any dirt of this kind you've got on the Democratic party will only strengthen that perception. "
In both 2004 and 2008, Europeans supported the Democratic Party- the more plutocratic of the two parties. Why is it that Europeans tend to support the more plutocratic of the two main American parties, if the Europeans are so against "elites?" Just wondering.
If the Europeans are so against "elites," then why do they accept government by bureaucratic fiat from Brussels?( Reply: may be the only alternative to the previous wars.)
The poor in America have larger living quarters than the average European. Poor people in the US average 438.6 square feet per person of dwelling space, versus 395.7 square feet for Europe- rich and poor. So why don't you have some "social justice" in Europe and increase dwelling space up to the average of the poor in America? Just wondering. I hear there are a lot of newly vacant lots in cities in the UK where they could build some more housing.
If the US is such a horrible place for the common man, then why do so many Europeans want to come to the US? Must be a bunch of masochists.
I suggest you read Victor Hanson's "An Anatomy of European Nonsense," which is a thorough Fisking of Augstein's article.
This whole thread reads like stand-up comedy. The US is a big, complex place. A substantial majority of Europeans who pontificate about the US when they don't know jack about US.
For example, I doubt that those who have pontificated about the Tea Party realize that among the Congressmen and Governors who were elected with Tea Party support include: Allen West(Fl-22), Tim Scott (SC-1), Quico Canseco(TX-23), Nikki Haley (Gov, SC),Raúl Labrador ( Id-1), and Susan Martinez ( Gov, NM).
The US is a lot more complex than your comic book stereotypes of US.
Ciao.
http://pajamasmedia.com/victordavishanson/an-anatomy-of-european-nonsense/
EU VERSUS USA, Fredrik Bergström & Robert Gidehag, Timbro Institute, 2004
"You are aware that a standard quip in the European side of the Atlantic is that US politics comes with only the choice of a conservative party, and an even more conservative one? Any dirt of this kind you've got on the Democratic party will only strengthen that perception. "
In both 2004 and 2008, Europeans supported the Democratic Party- the more plutocratic of the two parties. Why is it that Europeans tend to support the more plutocratic of the two main American parties, if the Europeans are so against "elites?" Just wondering.
If the Europeans are so against "elites," then why do they accept government by bureaucratic fiat from Brussels?( Reply: may be the only alternative to the previous wars.)
The poor in America have larger living quarters than the average European. Poor people in the US average 438.6 square feet per person of dwelling space, versus 395.7 square feet for Europe- rich and poor. So why don't you have some "social justice" in Europe and increase dwelling space up to the average of the poor in America? Just wondering. I hear there are a lot of newly vacant lots in cities in the UK where they could build some more housing.
If the US is such a horrible place for the common man, then why do so many Europeans want to come to the US? Must be a bunch of masochists.
I suggest you read Victor Hanson's "An Anatomy of European Nonsense," which is a thorough Fisking of Augstein's article.
This whole thread reads like stand-up comedy. The US is a big, complex place. A substantial majority of Europeans who pontificate about the US when they don't know jack about US.
For example, I doubt that those who have pontificated about the Tea Party realize that among the Congressmen and Governors who were elected with Tea Party support include: Allen West(Fl-22), Tim Scott (SC-1), Quico Canseco(TX-23), Nikki Haley (Gov, SC),Raúl Labrador ( Id-1), and Susan Martinez ( Gov, NM).
The US is a lot more complex than your comic book stereotypes of US.
Ciao.
http://pajamasmedia.com/victordavishanson/an-anatomy-of-european-nonsense/
EU VERSUS USA, Fredrik Bergström & Robert Gidehag, Timbro Institute, 2004
Winner
Diverse in Unity
Isn't it amusing that the negative reactions we've got so far from our American friends don't even involve refuting the basis of the argument, and go straight to throwing dirt at Europe? It's like the old "but... but you're lynching negroes!" argument, only in reverse.
This is a nice example of a totally misguided diversionary "argument".
Europeans aren't that big on living space. We - and by that I mean most of us - simply don't require large apartments and houses, it's a cultural thing. I am pretty sure many Japanese or other rich East Asians would wonder why those crazy Europeans need so much space when they'd be just as fine with an even smaller apartment. It tells you absolutely nothing about the quality of life of its inhabitants and it is also completely irrelevant to the topic at hand.
SwampYanqui said:
This is a nice example of a totally misguided diversionary "argument".
Europeans aren't that big on living space. We - and by that I mean most of us - simply don't require large apartments and houses, it's a cultural thing. I am pretty sure many Japanese or other rich East Asians would wonder why those crazy Europeans need so much space when they'd be just as fine with an even smaller apartment. It tells you absolutely nothing about the quality of life of its inhabitants and it is also completely irrelevant to the topic at hand.
Ziggy Stardust
Absolutely Sane
Isn't there more of us per square surface measurement of your liking?
SwampYangui, when you say "The US is a big, complex place", I'd even add diverse. Sure. But it's kind of hard to sympathise with your post when you have no issues making sweeping statements about Europe. Which is also kind of big, a little more complex and certainly as diverse. So, my advice to you, be consistent. I haven't read "Anatomy of European Nonsense", because of the title alone. It is a little staggering to see you realise one thing, but seem to be blind of the same thing when you reverse continents. And if you'd really read the thread, there were many who argued, "the conclusion the article draws with regard to the US not being "west" is a bit out there, but amidst the simplification there are areas where he does have a point."
Finally, your reply to verbose. He didn't mention Elite. Elitophobia gives you away there I'm afraid.
Just from the first 2 pages
SwampYangui, when you say "The US is a big, complex place", I'd even add diverse. Sure. But it's kind of hard to sympathise with your post when you have no issues making sweeping statements about Europe. Which is also kind of big, a little more complex and certainly as diverse. So, my advice to you, be consistent. I haven't read "Anatomy of European Nonsense", because of the title alone. It is a little staggering to see you realise one thing, but seem to be blind of the same thing when you reverse continents. And if you'd really read the thread, there were many who argued, "the conclusion the article draws with regard to the US not being "west" is a bit out there, but amidst the simplification there are areas where he does have a point."
Finally, your reply to verbose. He didn't mention Elite. Elitophobia gives you away there I'm afraid.
Just from the first 2 pages
UK said:
France said:
Belgium said:
Winner
Diverse in Unity
To be absolutely honest, how is it possible to cram so many people into such a small country, much of which is beyond sea level? I don't get that either
Godwin law was invoked by the 2nd page, if you're wondering about its quality. Apparently, we Europeans are just waiting till the EU collapses so that we can resume massacring each other. Also, everything is Obama's fault and socialism is evil.
(now you'll read it)
Ziggy Stardust
Absolutely Sane
At night they stack us in dry basements.To be absolutely honest, how is it possible to cram so many people into such a small country, much of which is beyond sea level? I don't get that either
Now I'm glad I didn't read it.
