I'm really not trying to ruffle any feathers, but I'm curious why the left has such an infatuation with Europe. Just looking back at the past century, they've started two world wars and have a few attempted genocides under their belt. Are these really the people we want to emulate? I'm not saying the US is perfect, far, far from it. We've done some pretty horrible stuff too, but haven't we been a much better model of stability and progress in that same time period? I do admire the way they're embracing clean energy over there and I admit to being ignorant to other issues (hence the reason for starting the thread). So please, try not to bash me in your enlightening replies.
But they do have different circumstances. We are more spread out then them, more of a suburbs country, which presents very different challenges than they have. A lot of their culture is neighborhood centric, and they don't need to drive as much. Which means our needs are slightly different then theirs regarding energy usage and transportation. Though I would kill for a US based speed train connecting all the major cities. DD
You make it sound like they want to be lefty because they admire Europe. More likely, they are lefty, and see that Europe is also lefty and shows the principles they already support in action. So, one can say "look at healthcare in France," for example, to give someone a concrete example. If it was Thailand that had a functioning model that followed the principles they already believed in, they'd be accused of being Thai lovers. I don't think it does the US much good to only look at itself. Look at yourself and look at others too. See what's different, what's better, and what is worse. Take what's good; avoid what's bad.
I think the counter question to ask is why the Right seems to dismiss European ideas outright and immediately give it labels that have culturally negative connotations attached to it?
False premise. I don't love Europe. They sound funny, don't play defense, and kick that stupid ball around in the most boring game ever invented. Their music sucks and most of their cuisine is terrible ( I like tapas, Americanized Italian, and Greek). As long as I live I will never completely trust Germany, England is jealous at some fundamental level, and so is France. On the other hand, I'm appreciative of the ideas that have come out of Europe, including the ones that helped found this country, and I recognize that the world is smaller these days and the US cannot impose its will unilaterally. This is how badly the Bush administration has screwed things up... cooperating and coordinating with longstanding allied countries is now considered just short of hot monkey love.
wow rimrocker, i didn't know you hated europe. i think coffee guy has it right. i don't think we should emulate europe at all. as this relates to politics and religion, they are ahead of us, plain and simple.
England has always produced superior pop music. Italy's cuisine is second only to Mexico's. I think I may have failed in properly phasing my question... I'm just curious why Europe is so often put on such a pedestal and their shortcomings swept under the rug.
Maybe it's because Americans on average don't know much about Europe in detail, so we rely upon generalities, anecdotes, and assumptions.
I'm curious why you just assume we have an infatuation with Europe because we have an interest in some of the things they are doing? It's like I don't own a Mac, but I want an iPod because the iPod has been the gold standard of MP3 players. Does that make me an Apple enthusiast? I know you say you aren't ruffling feathers, but when you start a thread like this it asumes that we are all some mindless bloc and that we don't have differences in our opinions and views and your question just assigns all of us a belief that we don't all share. That does ruffle my feathers.
i do believe it possible that we are slowly becoming less religious(christian) while europe is going the other way(islamic immigration).
I don't know any lefties (friends of mine) that are "infatuated" with Europe and want to "emulate" them. The whole premise of the thread is off track IMO.
i think the problem with this thread is that AntiSonic thinks that not hating europe, our closest allies, equals "an infatuation with europe". edit: also, this country was founded by europeans, remember? we speak english right, where'd we pick that up from? hmmm
I don't hate Europe. Just don't love 'em like the OP suggested. I am somewhat gleeful that we are the first country to elect a minority... every European intellectual type I've ever had conversations with has brought up our racism and used it as some kind of trump card... yet you don't see England electing a Pakistani as PM.
that's fine, you just fumed a bit. look, i love talking politics with euros because they are so full of **** as it regards the us. i get more fired up arguing with them than fellow americans to be honest
Perhaps, but for the most part they've Englandized American music. Well, it's a matter of taste, but I much prefer Thai to Italian. Point is, I don't see anyone rushing to defend English fare or Italian pop music... and let's not even bring up Germany.
I have yet to see evidence or a link that shows the left is infatuated with Europe which touches on the points that others have said. I will say there are some things that Europe has done well. The Euro is stronger than the dollar. They don't have to spend a ton on military spending. The U.S. is their policeman, and the U.S. is proud and insistent on having the biggest military. The Europeans could care less about that and enjoy having the extra money to spend on the welfare of its citizens. Spanish food is actually the best food in Europe. Even dishes that are the same elsewhere in Europe taste better in Spain for some reason.
