Arthur Brooks of the American Enterprise Institute explains in the Wall Street Journal that Americans protest to restrain government while European riot to expand the burden of the state. But this American spirit of self reliance may not last if government seduces more and more people into dependency – and I think fighting against this grim possibility is the chief motivating force of the tea party movement.
Many Europeans also expect others to work so they can live. The International Social Survey Programme asked Americans and Europeans whether they believe “It is the responsibility of the government to reduce the differences in income between people with high incomes and those with low incomes.” In virtually all of Western Europe more than 50% agree, and in many countries it is much higher—77% in Spain, whose redistributive economy is in shambles. Meanwhile, only 33% of Americans agree with income redistribution. Simply put, Europeans have a much stronger taste for other people’s money than we do. This is vividly illustrated by the recent protests in the U.S. and Greece. Why are citizens rioting and striking in Greece? Despite the worst economic crisis in decades, labor unions and state functionaries demand that others pay for the early retirements, lifetime benefits and state pensions to which they feel entitled. In America, however, the tea partiers demonstrate not to get more from others, but rather against government growth, public debt, bailouts and a budget-busting government overhaul of the health-care industry. In other words, the tea partiers are protesting against exactly what the Greeks are demanding. It is an example of American exceptionalism if there ever was one.
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[…] I’m conflicted. More and more people get lured into some form of government dependency every year, and this suggests Americans eventually will adopt a European-style moocher mentality. […]
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I think most people don’t understand that ‘public’ money is other people’s money. They assume that government is a natural source of money, which should fulfill people’s needs, eliminate poverty, etc etc. This was a myth or an illusion first propagated by communists/socialists, easily bought by poor nations of the world and now by increasing number of fools around the world.
[…] And he has produced some first-rate research on the loss of ethics in Europe compared to the United States. Rate this:Share […]
[…] And I’m definitely a fan of self reliance. […]
The remake of an old Gary Larson cartoon would be a good illustration of what Europeans must really be thinking about America’s experiment in “hope”
Just substitute:
The cat = America
The dog = Europe
The washing machine = The European Welfare State
American Europhiles are today’s useful idiots. The scary thing is that, unlike their cold war counterparts, they may actually succeed in destroying the world’s most competitive economy and most prosperous nation.
That’s socialism for you. I would not get complacent though: you’ve got a president that thinks the social democratic welfare state model is ideal. I remember seeing a girl being interviewed after the election saying that she was now going to get some money…..enjoy your exceptionalism while it lasts.
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