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Uh, i've been to Norway already. More than once. I was polite enough not to discuss their domestic politics, and i sure as hell didn't discuss the politics of my country. I was too busy actually enjoying myself.
I find that implausible. Europeans love to debate Americans. Most are pretty bad at it, but that does not stop them.
I find that implausible. Europeans love to debate Americans. Most are pretty bad at it, but that does not stop them.
I don't know what's so implausible.
I lived in Europe for 13 years straight. I wasn't in Europe to debate their politics, nor ours. I was there to enjoy myself interspersed with a little work from time to time. My wife and i enjoyed our time in Oslo, Trondheim and Fredrikstad...we wanted to eat, sightsee, and be merry. It never dawned on me to debate anyone about anything. Besides, even if there was something about their country that i didn't like (there wasn't BTW), it's not MY country and it's not my place to debate their citizens about their own policies....especially when i visited them on my own volition.
I did live in Germany for a bunch of years and Italy for 2 years and i did engage in a few debates about a few issues, but i'll only debate so much and i'll leave it alone. If someone has an axe to grind with America, i have no problem with it. I believe in American Exceptionalism, but i'm not blind either. We are a flawed nation just like every other nation.
As to your assertion that the Euro's are bad at debating issues, i have to disagree strongly. The average American is an uninformed doofus when compared to the average European. Like...it's not even close. After 13 years, i got quite accustomed to talking with fairly smart and curious people. Here, these idiots can't think past their next big screen tv, ATV, bass boat, oversized house, Harley, or pick-up with a lift kit. As long as they can afford that stuff (on credit...no doubt) they're fat and happy.
Moth, you do realize the Europe is not a country, right? It is several countries with different languages, cultures, social behaviors, etc.
I spent a few weeks in Norway recently and no one wanted to talk politics. Culture and society, maybe, but not politics. That is a 180 from my last trip to England where everyone had an opinion -and wanted to share it- on American politics.
Once Norway runs out of oil and natural gasses their welfare system will collapse
Oil and gas revenues are invested in the Government Pension Fund (NBIM - NBIM). Only 4 percents of the fund are spent every year. Norway avoided a resource curse which has destroyed other nations' economy. Allthough there are critism of the diversity of Norwegian industry.
The welfare state is not funded entirely by oil and gas. The welfare state is sustainable for the time being.
I lived in Europe for 13 years straight. I wasn't in Europe to debate their politics, nor ours. I was there to enjoy myself interspersed with a little work from time to time. My wife and i enjoyed our time in Oslo, Trondheim and Fredrikstad...we wanted to eat, sightsee, and be merry. It never dawned on me to debate anyone about anything. Besides, even if there was something about their country that i didn't like (there wasn't BTW), it's not MY country and it's not my place to debate their citizens about their own policies....especially when i visited them on my own volition.
I did live in Germany for a bunch of years and Italy for 2 years and i did engage in a few debates about a few issues, but i'll only debate so much and i'll leave it alone. If someone has an axe to grind with America, i have no problem with it. I believe in American Exceptionalism, but i'm not blind either. We are a flawed nation just like every other nation.
As to your assertion that the Euro's are bad at debating issues, i have to disagree strongly. The average American is an uninformed doofus when compared to the average European. Like...it's not even close. After 13 years, i got quite accustomed to talking with fairly smart and curious people. Here, these idiots can't think past their next big screen tv, ATV, bass boat, oversized house, Harley, or pick-up with a lift kit. As long as they can afford that stuff (on credit...no doubt) they're fat and happy.
Guess I am the exception. Never lost. Of course, when your opponents are claiming "Star Trek" is a CIA plot to spread American values, its not exactly difficult.
Still, I have never been to Norway, so I will take your word for it.
IMHO Norway should keep its welfare system and we should rethink ours. They take care of their needy with reasonable payments and we take care of our plutocrats with tax breaks, military spending and corporate bailouts.
Moth, you do realize the Europe is not a country, right? It is several countries with different languages, cultures, social behaviors, etc.
I spent a few weeks in Norway recently and no one wanted to talk politics. Culture and society, maybe, but not politics. That is a 180 from my last trip to England where everyone had an opinion -and wanted to share it- on American politics.
Don't be daft.
Europe is of course a geographical entity made up of numerous countries. However, ever since Jean Monnet conceived of what was to become the European Union, it has been most appropriate to speak of Europe in more unified terms. Europe, or a good portion of it, has a common flag, a common currency, common foreign policy, etc. At least on paper.
Of course, this dream of European integration, despite decades of success, is now sadly coming apart at the seams. But that is another story.
Your description of England tells me you know exactly what I am talking about.
The problem with a United Europe is it reduces the possibility of open war and the money to be made by the warmongers and profiteers.
LOL! The first part of your statement is quite true. The second is a stretch. As Libya, Afghanistan, and yes even Iraq (several Europeans countries went too) show, there are plenty of wars elsewhere.
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