<p>William F. Buckley wrote the following gem about former Republican senator (and independent governor of CT) Lowell Weicker, but it always comes to mind whenever Jimmy Carter unretires from national politics.
I’m also interested that someone thinks “not getting caught for underage drinking” is a strong value.</p>
<p>I think definetly that the bush family does not represent family values.
The progeny of that family are known for A. Drinking B. Drug Use C. Asian Hookers(Neil), But, for the public he manages to set up this family values persona</p>
<p>DRiver, I figured someone would say that after I wrote i t. You’re right, what it shows is common sense, not moral values.</p>
<p>Driver, the European economy has done very well over the last 30 years…as have European societies. Obviously, Europe is has a different approach to the way an Economy should be structured, and along with that approach comes advantages (almost no poverty, low crime rate, longer vacations, less stressful lives etc…) and disadvantages (high unemployment, slower growth etc…). I personally prefer the European system. It is more humane and more balanced. </p>
<p>One must never forget that one of the reasons Europe’s GDP grows at a slower rate than the US’s is not because of productivity or capacity but rather because the US population grows much faster than Europe’s. The US population has grown by roughly 15% since 1975. Europe’s population has remained the same. If you take population growth into consideration. Europe’s Economy has grown by 1.8% annually since 1975 compare to the US’s 2.2% growth. Also, the US is more of a consumer society. Europeans are less willing to part with their money. Again, it boils down to philosophy, not ability. But if you think Europe is poor, think again. Europe is as wealthy as part of the world and is now the largest Economic entity in Earth.</p>
<p>Alexandre, what happens to the unemployed in Europe? How are they taken care of? The unemployment rates are very high.</p>
<p>Europe’s unemployment rate is indeed high. It is unfortunately a result of Europe’s very generous unemployment benefits. When I lived in Germany, I was amazed at the number of unemployment who had no intentions fo returning to work! Their unemployment checks were equal to 66% of their post income tax salary!!! LOL Europe needs to change their unemployment benefits because it:</p>
<p>1) is expensive and cannot be afforded indefinately.
2) encourages the unemployed to stay unemployed!</p>
<p>How long can you get unemployment benefits?</p>
<p>back on topic- sort of -</p>
<p>I think the Brits over the Centuries have done a spectacular job!!! Yep, the Royal Families have done just dandy…</p>
<p>Unemployment benefits vary from country to country. In Germany, anyone who was employment with a company for 2 or more years is entitled to 2 years of unemployment pay.</p>
<p>the above is used by right wing people to justify the policies which endanger worker well-being</p>
<p>I think my econ book had another explanation… reverse aggregate demand something or other, I’m too lazy to look it up now.</p>
<p>Alexandre, you paint a typically European rosey scenario, which reminded me of this NYT article from a few days ago, focusing mostly on the Scandinavian utopias, but expanding more broadly into some observations on Europe as a whole. As I said, Europe is a fun place to visit, or even live, if you have money (kind of like NYC). There’s no serious comparison between the economies of Europe and the US over the last 30 years.</p>
<p>
<a href=“http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/17/weekinreview/17bawer.html?ei=5090&en=44ea05b3e068feb5&ex=1271390400&adxnnl=1&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&adxnnlx=1113919614-a5Bjn0J6Dkbo/dpCRlAGWQ[/url]”>http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/17/weekinreview/17bawer.html?ei=5090&en=44ea05b3e068feb5&ex=1271390400&adxnnl=1&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&adxnnlx=1113919614-a5Bjn0J6Dkbo/dpCRlAGWQ</a></p>
<p>And to stay slightly on-topic, I agree with dstark (or whoever it was) in nominating the Bush I presidential family. And I would also point out that Amy Carter wasn’t yet in high school when her father was bounced. Chelsea didn’t start college til half way through her family’s second term. The Bush II family had that situation we all worry about…what if our college freshman twins behave like college freshman while we start our presidency and plan a run for re-election?</p>
<p>I agree with driver - Europe is a great plact to visit but not one that we should emulate economically. Here is a quote from Robert Mundell, Nobel prize winner in economics and father of the euro. He is speaking in terms of the effect of the euro on the European economy, but implicit in the quote is his view on the reasons why the economy is suffering:</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Rather than us emulate Europe, they are realizing that they must adopt a more US-like economy. Germany has started by reducing corporate tax rates and cutting their unemployment benefits.</p>
<p>Driver, I am not European. I am Lebanese. I have no loyalty to Europe. But the European system works as well (and is as flawed) as the US system. It is different, and clearly not for you (and Fundingfather and many other people), but to many others, Europe is more adequate than the US. It depends on your own preferences and values. There is no “better system”. But that NYT article is laughable. Anybody familar with Europe can tell you that it is complete nonesense. As for Europe merely being a “good place to visit”, think again, it is an amazing place to live…assuming it fits your preferences.</p>
<p>Actually though I am liberal I admire the Cheneys for their support of their gay daughter. Not so easy for them politically.</p>
<p>I agree with Alexandre, Europe is different. In some ways it is worse, in some ways much better.</p>
<p>I admire Hilary for supporting her philandering husband, what’s-his-nameunless, of course, she was doing it for her own political ambitions and pride.</p>
<p>I give her the benefit of the doubt, I guess.</p>
<p>Whats that Tammy Wynette song she said she hated?</p>
<p>Lyndon Baines Johnson! Lady Bird and their kids - great family - a radio station recently played a series of tapes from his presidency. Some were family hours - their children still tell stories about the jokes, games, and family time, including joining their father for prayers in the chapel.</p>
<p>Alexandre, I would be very very happy if I could live in Italy or Ireland - and maybe I will one day. US stress-and-tension lifestyle is way, way over-rated. I don’t mind occasional blackouts or wrapping my fish in newspaper, and I may be one of the few who can survive without a Starbucks. (Of course, since the coffee is better, at least in continental Europe, so Starbucks is probably coals to Newcastle).</p>
<p>I was particularly fond of the Johnsons’ beagles. </p>
<p>I also enjoy the simple European life…riding a bike into town, sitting in a cafe for much of the morning while I read the paper…buying a fresh baguette and some produce from the market for lunch…making dinner plans. But I call that either vacation or retirement. Not an economic system.</p>
<p>Driver, the standard of living in Europe is equal to that in the US. Americans can do more with their dispoable income, but Europeans live better. It depends what you prefer. To you, being able to relax and enjoy good food and a laid back environment is either retirement or vacation. To me, it is life.</p>
<p>^^^^^ yes, exactly.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>OK, that’s a perfectly sensible lifestyle choice. However, the real question is: is this lifestyle sustainable? Those who are looking into this are seeing demographic trends and external events which conclude that it is not sustainable and may well be in a death spiral. Like I said above, Germany has recognized this and has already put changes into both their unemployment compensation and their tax system to bring themselves more in line with the American economic view. Old age pensions in Europe are a perfect example of “it was good while it lasted, but…” The bottom line is that the laid back European lifestyle that you may be admiring is on life support. Life on the Titanic was pretty laid back too - until it hit the iceberg.</p>
<p>The question that I have for those who so admire and long for the European lifestyle is why not live it? And I don’t mean “America - love it or leave it”. I mean, why not take up a simple lifestyle right here in the US? Think of all the lifestyle choices that you make right now that cost money or make for a rat race environment and give them up. Give up the second (or third/fourth) car. Give up the second paycheck. Settle for one TV in the house rather than one in every room. Give up the expensive dinners out. Move to a smaller house. And, pertinent to this forum - don’t send your kids to private colleges/universities.</p>