Do not simply file this away under the "Europe is dying, and we don't care" file. Doing so amounts to laughing at a neighbor as his house burns down and the fire spreads to threaten your own.

That's an interesting statement. Is there anything that can be done, even if we wanted to do something? I'm of the opinion that 90% of Europe's problems can be traced back to their infatuation with the welfare state, a system that destroys the economy, breaks societal bonds and reduces birth rates all in one blow. I'm including World War II in the list of problems that I think the welfare state ultimately created. Unfortunately the Europeans themselves don't seem to recognize this, which is why it's going to get a lot worse for them before it gets better. If this were the 1930's and people who were being endangered had no option to flee, then it would be a tragedy. But they can and they do, so I don't feel too bad about pointing and laughing.

Just wrote about the EU Constitution topic myself.

At the very least the EU suffers because it got bigger before better. I am still trying to understand how its exact benefits.

Is there anything that can be done, even if we wanted to do something?

For Europe, no. What we can do is be vigilant here at home. Things like the Freedom House report on Wahhabi-sponsored hate material in American mosques, for example, are a good start.

You include the welfare state for causing WW2 ??? There was barely a welfare state anywhere prior to WW2. Can you elaborate.

Why have a pop at Liverpool fans being drunk ? What is your problem with them celebrating ?

Oh, no, I wasn't criticizing Liverpool fans. I was just summing up news from Europe and noting that I saw fans out last night. Not everything on this list is criticism, you know.

Yaron:

The welfare state is enervating, no question about that; but the root of Europe's decay is spiritual.

I don't feel too bad about pointing and laughing.

That's a disgraceful attitude, in my opinion. Europe has united a huge welfare state with mass unassimilable immigration. The United States is only a few steps behind it on both counts. The fire is spreading; this is no time for laughter.

Ahh, cool. Was a remarkable game.
To answer one of the points above about why Europe is only integrating now - the architects of the Treaty of Rome in the 40s always looked towards integration, but they also knew that it would be a long process. Even Churchill envisioned a United States of Europe, though admittedly one that did not include Britain. It's not a new thing, and it is still very much open to debate whether it is favoured - even in France, where they are likely to reject the constitution in the referendum.

"The fire is spreading; this is no time for laughter"

You don't have West of Scotland Free Presbyterians amongst your ancestors by any chance do you ?

Urbane,

Germany had a welfare state since the 1880's (theirs was the first in the world). F. A. Hayek's "The Road to Serfdom", from 1944, explains how welfare and ever-increasing government intervention in Germany led to growing calls for a "strongman" who could handle all the contradictory demands being put on government, and the growing social unrest, a need eventually filled by the Nazis. The rest is history, as they say. I highly recommend the book, by the way; this summary doesn't really do it justice.

PC, I guess I'm just more optimistic than you for this country. Our immigrants are in the vast majority hardworking and responsible. Unlike in Europe, there are no neighborhoods in the U.S. where I'd be afraid to walk at night because "there are too many immigrants".

LIVERPOOL!!!
I was reading the NYC Liverpool supporters club web site the day before the match.

The Mongols had a welfare state in the 13th century.

"It cannot be just the need to balance against American power, is it?"

Combine all the ancient military equipment that the EU owns, and that gives them the power to balance against the police department of Boston. And the EU has neither the money nor the will to do better.

"Combine all the ancient military equipment that the EU owns"

Ancient ? The factory across the road from where I work sold China the radar system that took down the U.S. Orion a few years back. Not that I am condoning arms sales to China and I did have a double take when I saw the PR of China flag fluttering above the factory a few years back, but there seems to be a move towards Europe shifting from relience on U.S. systems (the new Euro fighter, next generation aircraft carriers etc)

Talking of China, it's not Europe that will pose any threat to U.S. dominance. You guys should look East a little more carefully.

Yaron, I happen to have an early edition of The Road to Serfdom that I picked up in a charity shop. Never felt the need to read it before now, but will have a look. However, do you really think the Welfare State was the driving force behind the war ? Do you view the WW1 reparations settlement and the world economic slump as minor factors. Imperialism also ? After all, I doubt if Japan had a welfare state.
Seems a like dogmatic argument, but I'll see what Freddie has to say.

Well, other factors played a part, and obviously the history of Europe (and Japan) is a history of near-constant wars, but I think welfare and the rise of a discontented and unemployed class was a major factor.