You are quite correct...this is the perception. But then again, I consider the European so-called right wing parties to be socialists... Aren't Merkel and Sarkozy both considered right wing? And yet they both passionately support financial transaction taxes! Obama is adored in Europe. They love the fact that a black man could be elected into office, when the reality is that you would never see a black leader voted into office in Europe. I live in Europe but I can't stand the European mentality. Shit customer service, rip off prices and 70%-80% of what you earn belongs to the government. The forget the fact that Hitler was a socialist, and re-labelled him as "right wing".
Ya see...your opening question asking how much taxes is enough to pay, would be rephrased in Europe as a question of how much income is enough for one individual to receive... A European would have the mentality that lifetime income should be capped, not taxes, because there is no need for luxury boats or personal jets once you get to a certain level of wealth... Why do you think several European nations have recently been introducing taxes on wealth, not just income? It is communism with a small letter c. Basically you are owned by the state. I get the feeling Obama wants to move the US towards a more European model...
His behavior and policies have been exactly that. Yet many European entities have recognized, "This Socialism crapola ain't working" and are privatizing this and that. All of which escapes Odumbo.
This is true. US democrats are considered right wing in the eyes of europeans, and although most of them have never heard of Ron Paul, they would consider him as something between a madman or an alien if they did. He sure wouldn't get much airtime over there. Non euro countries are a bit different though, I'm not very uptodate but Switzerland used to have a more vibrant libertarian crowd than its neighbouring countries, as well as more business friendly policies. Also UK is suposed to be closer to the US, although in both those countries government intervention seems to be wildly increasing.
That sounds actually like the most basic right an employee should get. leave when he's not satisfied about his working conditions. It should work the other way around though, boss allowed to say "fuck off" to his employee when he feels he doesn't need him anymore - which isn't the case in continental Europe, where hiring someone means giving up much freedom and sense of ownership over one's own business. I would love to see all those cumbersome regulations about labour law replaced with this simple rule : "an employee is always free to leave"
I am saying that Europeans consider the USA very right wing ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- I deal with the World on a daily basis. Of course, I deal with Private Business owners who are not on the "EURO TIT", sucking the life out of any "Monies" the gov taxes. NON of my client view the US as "Right Wing". But of course, odds are you talking to the average Joe who works 5 hours a day, takes months off on vacation that the "GOV" or Employer pays for, went to university for either free or for pennies and they sit around asking for more. Your "EUROPEAN" friends are about to find themselves out on the streets as the EMU crashes and all those FREE LOADERS are left jobless. Why don't you have a look at the Unemployment rates for the ages of 18-40 in the Euro Zone? I also travel on tour through out Euro land with my Record Label. when you speak to most, they are not only clueless about the US, they are more worried about their future than what is going in America. They know that the clock has run out and that Socialism is crumbling. Pull your head out of your ass.
I read a survey that in Belgium, 80% of belgians say they wont even consider having a Black man as a neighbour. Any belgians here?:eek:
It sure looks like UK is drifting in the wrong direction... I'm far from convinced with the US either, as the federal government appears insanely powerful and intrusive, and not always for the better... I like continental Europe btw, it sounds bad but life is actually pretty good for many citizens there, part of it because law enforcement looks much less stringent than in the US, making it possible to deal with the insane taxes and regulations - when I read about lengthy jail sentences in the US for white collar issues which would be settled in Europe with a moderate fine at worst, I feel europeans entrepreneurs can live with less stress than the american brothers - although generally american sure seem to succeed on a bigger scale .
You hit the nail on the head. All this comes to down to a philosophical battle between the individual versus the State. Are men born free in the image of their Creator? Or are they slaves to the very Government they created? Socialists and their baggage train of cockroaches desperately want a neo-feudal system in America - similar to Europe - where ones labor is owned by the State. That is an incredibly dangerous precedent. Maybe privacy, free speech, and stewardship over the body should be a ward of the State too, since rational arguments could be put forward that a "managed" society would be safer and less costly, for all? In many respects, America has gone down this road. Electronic and financial privacy doesn't exist. Free speech zones are commonplace. And "mandatory" vaccinations are the norm.