What is wrong with Europe? (Congress, solutions, programs, states)

[Dieter]

It's funny, on american tv we watch shows like Animal Cops because we have compassion for animals. We have groups that would give their lives to save a whale. We have animal shelters on almost every corner. Americans, in general, are very compassionate people. Not just to humans but to animals.

I had to google "Animal Cops", as I'd never even heard of it (no one has ever mentioned watching it to me, not even once!). If torture would make my beef ribs taste better, I'm for it. I'm an American, and while I don't care for dog fights, **** fights, bull fights etc., I simply do not care what happens to the animals at all. Why should I? I'm not going to be bullied by the majority into believing animals should have rights.

[Moth]

Originally Posted by Tom9

I HAVE been there and Swedish drunks are a hell of a lot less dangerous than Chicago drunks. So from that point of view you might just be right. It's not the same thing. YOU might want to be here to see what's going on in your own country.

Been there, seen it. You are talking about something completely different. Being drunk and belligerent does not make someone an alcoholic. It makes them a jerk, but again, that is something completley different.

[mimimomx3]

Originally Posted by Moth

Been there, seen it. You are talking about something completely different. Being drunk and belligerent does not make someone an alcoholic. It makes them a jerk, but again, that is something completley different.

Are there AA meetings in Europe? We take drinking and turn it into a disease. In most of the world, people drink. Some drink a lot. In Italy, they drink with just about every meal. So they like to drink. Here, we're 'alcoholics'.

[baystater]

Originally Posted by 123cop

Seriously, what is wrong with Europe?

??????????????.........................definiatly. ...............France.
For god sake there something wrong with a country that loves Jerry Lewis.

[Patmos]

Originally Posted by 123cop
What is wrong with Europe?



Pick up and read both books in order and you will come to your answer.
The Death of the West by Patrick J. Buchanan. 2002.
America Alone by Mark Steyn. 2006.

[Moth]

Originally Posted by mimimomx3

Are there AA meetings in Europe? We take drinking and turn it into a disease. In most of the world, people drink. Some drink a lot. In Italy, they drink with just about every meal. So they like to drink. Here, we're 'alcoholics'.

I have spent a good amount of time in Italy and from my observations, they drink wine with dinner and that's about it. The binge drinking/beer chugging culture seen in places like North America, the UK, Australia is nearly non-existent there. Indeed ordering a third pint in a birraria was often greeted with raised eyebrows. Italians and Italian-Americans have some of the lowest rates of alcoholism.

Drinking is not a disease, but rather an enjoyable pastime. Alcoholism, something different from mere drinking, is a disease.

[Baron von Costume]

Originally Posted by Angel and The Dolphin

Regarding Scandanavia vs. USA in alcohol consumption you are wrong. In fact the USA is FAR above any Scandavian country (except Denmark) in per capita consumption of alcohol. Many of the countries that do rival the US are in Eastern Europe or Southern Europe (with it's strong wine culture).
http://www.who.int/substance_abuse/p...4_overview.pdf

Also, I'm not sure where the poster who said Europe was facing collapse got the data about "collapsing" socialist systems in Europe, but world economic data suggests quite the opposite, particularly with the Euro gaining incredible value over the dollar in recent years.

I made a comment about the imminent problems facing European social systems. I don't remember if I used the word "collapse," but if I did, then that was a bit extreme.

But the picture painted above seems to ignore certain realities that are to some degree masked by the current dollar/Euro slide.

Setting aside the fact that our current disastrous fiscal policies have forced the dollar down against the Euro (and the pound to a lesser extent). But look at other economic indicators...

What are the current rates of unemployment/underemployment in France? Italy? Belgium? Compare to the US. The 2007 data for the US shows unemployment at 4.6%. For France, Italy, Germany, and Belgium the figures are 8.3%, 6.0%, 8.4%, and 7.5%. (source, 2007 CIA Factbook).

Everyone knows that our debt is ridiculously high. But if normed for current GDP, how does the US stack up against the Europeans? The Our debt to GDP ratio for 2007 is 60%. The corresponding figures for France, Italy, Belgium, and Germany are 64%, 104% (!), 85%, and 63%. (source, 2007 CIA Factbook). And that ignores the other fact that those nations are, on the whole, greying at a much faster rate than the US. Hence, they are going to reach any sort of demographic apocaplyse before we do.

[Puddy4LyF]

Originally Posted by 123cop

Eww. now Newtoli breaks out the spell check attack. Seriously dude, your on the internet.

you're

[j33]

After reading the 'thoughts' of the OP, one could easily be led to wonder "What is wrong with America"?

[mimimomx3]

Originally Posted by Moth

I have spent a good amount of time in Italy and from my observations, they drink wine with dinner and that's about it. The binge drinking/beer chugging culture seen in places like North America, the UK, Australia is nearly non-existent there. Indeed ordering a third pint in a birraria was often greeted with raised eyebrows. Italians and Italian-Americans have some of the lowest rates of alcoholism.

Drinking is not a disease, but rather an enjoyable pastime. Alcoholism, something different from mere drinking, is a disease.

Italian family, 1st generation....wine is drunk with meals- lunch AND dinner. Usually just a glass or two. Apperitifs and digestive liquors also...and spumante (champagne). Beer, they drink it all, but in moderation. We have turned alcohol into a disease in the US. Americans are quick to point out something as 'good' or 'bad' and rather than 'moderation'. Just my .02.