Europe’s Lost Testicles, by Robert Gore
No surprise then that the European economy hasn't grown much, if it all, the last few decades. Nor that it's eating America and Asia's dust in high-tech. It's not even a surprise that this state of affairs evokes little protest among Europeans. When the government provides cradle-to-grave, you shut up and get with the program. Even if means you live with your parents into you're thirties or forties, never have a real job or meaningful occupation, never marry or start a family, and nobody can remember one memorable thing you've done at your state-provided funeral.
This is an excerpt. For the complete article, please click the above link.
This is an excerpt. For the complete article, please click the above link.
Self reliance is what is evidently missing.
The individual with freedom to create, to produce and to live has the most positive impact on a society. Advancing the freedom of individuals is all of our responsibility. The issues of racism , sexism, homophobia and wage controls all
Evaporate under the heat of unimpeded progress.
Needs will be met by trading value for value.
Best practices and best customs will dominate the
Life style choices when excellence is the goal and yard stick.
Oh, that thankfully failed "I dream of open borders" Evil Hag also.
My November National Geographic had an interesting article titled "The Search for Happiness" then went on to point out their belief that the happiest places on earth promote the welfare state where no one takes responsibility for themselves. It stated that Denmark was one of the happiest places where a garbage truck driver could make more than a doctor! Someone who schooled for two weeks was able to earn more than someone who had worked for 8 years could earn more because of the tax system that ensured that everyone would end up "equal"! Slavery to the state is what makes people happy according to the National Geographic article.
Few if any people want to be free. America is better than Europe but just barely and is working at sliding down the slope to a communist democracy where we will vote for the thugs we want to be plundered by.
My colleagues in Italy are the most pessimistic. They accept high taxes, the mafia milking infrastructure projects, people milking the social safety net, and things never improving as facts of life. They're generally upbeat people too, enjoying food and engineering and life, but they've given up on reforming the gov't.
Regarding the guns, I see the benefit as more symbolic. The guns say "We the People" established this gov't. It says if someone commits a crime, we're not powerless and waiting for the authorities. I don't think introducing gun rights to Europe would solve all it's problems. I think US needs give up the status quo (as you rightly call it) of being an empire. I was one of the 36 million people out there carrying signs in 2003, trying to stop the invasion of Iraq.
You are so right about the staus quo. After the cold war, it felt like the weapons industry was scrambling for a boogey man. They tried drug interdiction. That wasn't as scary as a nuclear holocaust. Then, as you say, it's religious extremists--- lowlifes hiding in caves using boxcutters as weapons. It wasn't as scary as nuclear holocaust, but somehow this one worked, saving the life of the military industrial complex.