Socialism and Welfare Republicans - Bash Europe in Search of Votes

[xchrom]

http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,808044,00.html

An apparition is stalking the United States. That, at least, is what the Republicans seem to believe in this election season. And the apparition has a name: Europe.

US President Baracka Obama, said leading Republican candidate Mitt Romney during the Republican debate on Saturday, wants to turn the US into a "European welfare state." At a weekend appearance in New Hampshire, site of a crucial primary vote on Tuesday, Romney said "I don't believe in Europe. I believe in America."

In an election year overshadowed by the threats posed by the European economy and concerns about the break-up of the European common currency, it is a message that Romney has been delivering every chance he gets. And he's not alone. Europe bashing has become an important stump-speech cornerstone for the entire Republican field. The message, as Romney never tires of delivering it, is clear: "I don't think Europe is working in Europe. I know it won't work here."

Negative portrayals of Europe are, of course, by no means a novelty when it comes to American political campaigns. Candidates, particularly Republicans, have long blasted their opponents for being a bit too cuddly with Europe. In 2004, when George W. Bush was battling John Kerry in his re-election campaign, Europe played an outsized role, primarily because France and Germany had declined to support the US invasion of Iraq. Because Kerry spoke fluent French, he was portrayed as the "French candidate."

[JaneQPublic]

1. China is working. Should we become Communist?

Obviously, its Communist government now permits an element of capitalism in its economy, but it is still Communist.

That said, this just illustrates how ludicrous this whole Europe-bashing craze is... particularly since Europe wouldn't be in the fix it's in now if the U.S. didn't have an economic meltdown first.

[subterranean]

2. The Chinese government is CINO.

Communist in name only.

[JaneQPublic]

4. So, which country has a True Communist government? (nt)

[alp227]

5. Cuba and North Korea

[marmar]

3. And yet, the most socialist of the European countries - Norway, Sweden, Denmark - are doing fine.

Funny that.