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Politics : View from the Center and Left -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Bearcatbob who wrote (116194)	7/22/2009 12:31:52 PM
From: JohnM	Respond to of 542012

Europe is the evidence of the impact of the welfare state. Lots of issues. My impression is that we were not talking about the differences between the welfare state and the present form in the US but about increasing or decreasing the presence of government in the US. That would need evidence for its impact on the "economy". As for the differences between the US and "Europe" as a proxy for the "welfare state," it would help if you were more specific: which countries, since the form of the state differs from country to country;; what it is that bothers you about that, etc. You might know that the comparisons between the US, Britain, France, Germany, and Italy, just for starters, are very complicated. Some goods, some bads, some depend on povs, some do not. If it's just your opinion, then fine; but if you wish to have a conversation, then it would help to have more details.

To: Bearcatbob who wrote (116194)	7/22/2009 12:52:04 PM
From: Steve Lokness	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 542012

Bearcat; Europe is the evidence of the impact of the welfare state Every time I hear this argument I can't help but think autos. In the US we have about ruined our auto production during the Bush administration. Need I remind you that Chrysler was bought by the European Italians and that both Ford and GM have had to sell parts of their companies to the Europeans to stay afloat. Despite all this evil welfare, they are still making things and selling things. Audi and VW and Fiat put our companies to shame. If the welfare state is such a drag on an economy - how do you explain away the successes in Europe? steve