I recently read an article in which the author expressed the wish that Americans were more like Europeans. She stated that Europeans have it much better than we because of their attitudes and their willingness to demand certain things from their governments. I couldn't disagree more. Americans should not be envying Europeans. If anything, they should be envying us. There are two reasons why I say this: socialism and elitism. Europe, unfortunately, appears to be a bastion of both.
I do not want socialism for America. With all of its flaws, capitalism is still much more preferable. Even extreme capitalism is better than moderate socialism. Sure, Europeans get a lot of the things they demand from their governments. These things include socialized medicine, cheap/free higher education, a higher minimum wage, shorter work weeks, more vacation days, and other government-handed-out goodies. Those things, along with redistribution-of-wealth schemes and greater government regulation of business, amount to socialism, no matter how you slice it.
And socialism always comes with a heavy price tag. Not only does it result in lower productivity and less competitiveness with the rest of world, it brings with it an exorbitant tax burden. Europeans might be okay with sky-high taxes, but I don't believe Americans are ready for that. And to paraphrase Thomas Jefferson, "A government big enough to give you everything you want is also strong enough to take away everything you have."
I also wouldn't want the U.S. to adopt European-style elitism, a kind of prevailing secular humanistic attitude, although we unfortunately seem to be headed in that direction. This is not an attempt to bash all Europeans. I'm sure many of them do not possess this mind-set, but the popular perception (whether justified or not) is that the majority of them do. And it is an undisputed fact that most Europeans don't attend church regularly anymore. Consequently, a large number of churches in Europe have shut down over the last decade.
Most Europeans have apparently become so elitist in their thinking that they no longer see the need for religion or a faith in God. Are they arrogant and haughty enough to believe that they alone are somehow the source of their own sustenance? No doubt they feel the way some Americans do – those whom I've heard make remarks like, "Why should I thank God for my food when I bought it with money that I worked for and earned?" What a foolish attitude! They would not be able to take another breath if God did not allow it through His infinite grace and mercy. It would indeed be a tragedy if there came a day when the majority of Americans bought into the elitism of Europe.
Terry Mitchell is a software engineer, freelance writer, amateur political analyst, and blogger from Virginia, USA. He posts a least one article a day to his blog - http://commenterry.blogs.com - on subjects such as current events, politics, technology, society and culture, religion, health and well-being, self improvement, personal finance, trivia, and sports. His commentaries offer a unique point of view that is not often found in mainstream media. His articles here on SearchWarp represent only a small portion of his work. All of it can be found on his blog. If you like his articles, you'll love his blog.
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I believe we've had this argument before..Both of my parents are from Europe: my mother is from Germany, and my father is from France ( though originally Irish). Why you must continue to stretch the meaning of the word "elitist' alludes me. America is a melting pot: full of Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, Wiccans, Mormons, Spiritualists, Atheists, and Agnostics..What makes a secular democracy so fantastic, is that we are free to believe what we want.
What if someone were to proclaim America a Catholic country or a Jewish country? Would that not enrage you? You don't have to be a part of an organised religion to believe in a creator. I haven't a clue as to why you think Europeans are predominatley Atheistic; which is absolutely false!
A secular democracy is the only true democracy. Believe what you want to believe, just because others may disagree with you, does not make one right or wrong. And just because someone is atheist or agnostic does not mean that they are immoral either. Enforcing a religion upon a people is called 'authoritarianism'.
Jennifer, maybe you're misunderstanding where I am coming from here. When I complain about European elitism, it is not a complaint about their governments (although my complaint about socialism is). Maybe I should have put those two complaints in separate articles to avoid any confusion. To rephrase I what I just said, my complaint about socialism is a knock against European governments, but my complaint about elitism is refers to the attitude of the people. I do not want the government to force religion on anyone. People should be free to practice whatever religion they want or to not practice any religion at all, if that is their choice. That's a choice the government should never interfere with. It should be neutral on the subject of religion. If you are going to criticize government interference in religion, why don't you pick on Canada, a nation that descriminates against some Christians denominations because they rightfully identify homosexuality as a sin.
Now, with that being said, I still have a right to comment on the choices people make. I think Americans have made better choices about religion than Europeans have. Americans have held on to Christianity, while Europeans have sadly rejected it. In fact, the U.S. remains the most Christian nation on earth. Do you think it's just a coincidence that it also happens to be the world's only remaining superpower?
What?? America is not the most Christian country on earth at all..And there is no evidence that supports the assumption that Europeans have rejected it. I think you are making very grand stereotypes. And whether or not America is the leading superpower due to the fact that it is predominately Christian bears no relation at all.
Also, mind that your definition of being Christian is different from others perceptions of what it means to be Christian. And not one of the religions are based on fact, but beliefs according to one's individual perception: ideals, upbringing, etc..For example: many Christians would not consider Mormonism to be a Christian faith. And although many behold very moral values, may or not accept the bible as fact. And in this country, they do not have to. Again, you are making the assumption that christianity is the only moral religion. I know of many so- called Christians who are extremely judgmental, unforgiving, bigots and hypocritical; whereas I also know of many Jewish people who are atheists; and many Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, agnostics and yes - even atheists - who are perfectly upstanding citizens. Many scientists, physicians, etc..included in the latter group.
If you need a book to know the difference betwen right and wrong, there is something very wrong with that.
And if it is your contention that government should remain neutral on the notion of religion; then I don't understand what your point is regarding a claim that a defined sociological group is immoral, if they are not Christian. A notion that is false anyway, and i'm sure that Spain, Italy, ireland, Scotland, England, etc..with all of their multitude of cathedrals, the Vatican, etc..would take offense at that assumption.
Another point: I don't consider people who proclaim that AIDS is a punishment from god to kill homosexuals, and teach their children to hate, or who rally and protest making such awful statements supporting this kind of bigotry to be "Christians" at all.
Terry, I had never read the Thomas Jefferson quote you cited: "A government big enough to give you everything you want is also strong enough to take away everything you have."
My thought is that Europe must be Europe and we must be America. Americans are linked historically and by blood to Europe and all other continents, one way or another. What I do not understand is the self(American)-criticism, always comparing ourselves to others and feeling we come up short. We are just very different. Note the EU's problems that demonstrate their struggles with each other, too, among themselves. After all, they have not forgotten their intertwined and complicated pasts, either. As for us, when people get ready to leave their homelands for whatever reason, they overwhelmingly make the U. S. their first choice. I hope we are not arrogant knowing that, but find it humbling. We are, historically, an independent people that will eventually resist being dictated to, as we did re: King George. The behavior of some elected public servants in these times often leads us to think of King George!
Well, that's a bunch of opinions. Enjoyed reading your article and mulling it over.
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