Should America Model its Social and Economic Policies After Europe?

As the President looks at the state of our union for ideas that improve the American economy, health care, and support for families, many are looking abroad for examples.

Europe's brand of "social capitalism" has been held out as both an example for America to emulate, and one for it to avoid. Some believe the U.S. should develop a government-regulated health care system as in Europe, and that the more comprehensive supports for workers and families developed in Europe should be copied here. Others see European policies as building a welfare state that is too expensive and centrally controlled to work in America. What is your view? What should be our President's?

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Europe
• European
• Union
• Future
• Economy
• Industry
• Green
• Society
• Social
• Socialism
• Capitalism

[tigerhop]

Steven Hill has no clue about economics, and is completely against the values of the founding fathers. And the question of immigration is no longer the same as it was in Europe because of the draconian rules on employment by the European Union. After one or two years, it is very difficult for an employer to fire people, so they are hesitant to hire an immigrant. This keeps the immigrant in poverty. Also a problem is the unwillingness to learn German by Turkish immigrants, and ditto elsewhere.

[tigerhop]

Steven Hill has no clue about economics, and is completely against the values of the founding fathers.

[kyron1984]

i dont think the english want her back

[aeoferreira]

@Efteling4Ever Of course Europe isn't. We don't have internet here! And also Ebay is strictly american and we're just a bunch of peasants. And what's more, we just ride bikes and walk because we can't afford fuel. Now, allow me to park my carriage and give the horse some water to drink. LOL

[aeoferreira]

And to that situation of people complaining about the state in Europe, come on, we complain about everything!!! And the French!? They're even worse than the average European (also that's why they enjoy longer holidays and work 35 hours a week, cursed French!)

[aeoferreira]

I'm European and, sincerely, I picture myself more on the first view of what Europe is. When it comes to debating our University system, it is true it isn't the best in the world, in general, but also it is evaluated according to anglo-saxon standards, not continental standards, and we Europeans tend to mobility. We attend US universities the same way we attend any other european university. I'm Portuguese, but study in a Spanish university, e.g.

[whoo689]

I think this may just be because most Americans don't realize how badly they're getting shafted and/or they are being fed too much propaganda about how "bad" things are in Europe. And too many immigrants from abroad believe the propaganda about America being SO FREE and this nonsense about some mythical "American dream."

[whoo689]

Hill's book is a much-needed tome that adds an important pro-European side to this debate. All we ever hear in the states is bashing of Europe, esp. their economic and political systems. There are few, esp. in government, who openly praise Europe's ways and their welfare state. It's about time someone debunk all the myths that we constantly hear from the political Right in this country and give us the REAL FACTS. She cites the fact that less Americans wanna emigrate to Europe. However...

[whoo689]

For all politicians talk about how "small business is the job-growth machine" and how much entrepreneurial spirit there is in America, the fact remains that EUROPE has much more small business ownership than here. Look it up if you don't believe me. The workers have a much greater say in how their companies are run, something Americans can only DREAM OF in this age of hypercapitalism, speculation gone wild, and greedy shareholders asking for MORE AND MORE profits from big business.

[FRSFreeStateES]

@Efteling4Ever

I said Germany subsidizes people indefinitely. I didn't say they subsidize everyone indefinitely. And they do so my point is proven. I wasn't arguing whether it was good policy or not.