A reader noted some of the serious problems America is facing these days. Staggering deficits, trade imbalances that boggle the mind, the weak dollar, exporting jobs, crime, poverty, unaffordable health care, involvement in an expensive war against terror that is probably still closer to the beginning than the end. Yep, we do have our share of problems and our society is a long way from perfection.
But let us pause and give thanks for our many blessings. One of which is we are not Europe. Admittedly, like many Americans I don’t pay a whole lot of attention to the goings on in the land of my forefathers. Face it, Europe is increasingly irrelevant in the global scheme of things. But one can’t help but notice how Europe’s death spiral seems to be escalating. Demographics that will not support the socialist programs they love to tout and a lack of political will to deal with the problem. Immigration and birth rates that will likely lead to Muslim majorities in a generation. Double digit unemployment. Crushing tax burdens. A lack of moral compass or vision. Antiquated militaries that are incapable of projecting power and likely could not even provide adequate self defense from a determined enemy (absent American intervention). Societies every bit as sick as ours (although admittedly less violent). And a blind unwillingness to recognize these threats, let alone the courage to face up to them. In short, Europe is an ostrich, and the wolves are on the hunt. It’s gonna get real ugly sooner rather than later.
While I am sometimes offended by the arrogance of our European cousins, I don’t take the ramblings of doddering old fools much to heart. Despite their grand dreams and delusions of grandeur, Europe’s time has passed. Their contributions in science, art and literature will certainly live on in history books, but I see little evidence that these pathetic welfare states will have much to say about the shape of the world in the 21st century (although I expect there will be many headlines as they fall one by one under the oppressive boot of Islamofacism.
So America needs to look east. It is in Asia that we will find our greatest opportunities and our greatest challenges. China, not Europe, will provide the counterbalance to American power that Mr. Chirac has been dreaming of. Other great democracies like India will fill the void in world leadership that Europe has abdicated. And that is as it should and must be.
It has been said that all things must pass. Perhaps that is true. But unlike Europe, America will never surrender. We are still ascending (hell, we are only two hundred years into Jefferson’s great experiment). Our current problems will be overcome and new ones will appear. But we thrive on that kind of dynamism.
These are interesting times indeed. And I will always be thankful for having the good fortune to be living them as an American.
Oh yeah, I was inspired to write this post after reading this article and some gentle goading by the irascible EuroYank. America will neither repent nor perish, my friend. We‘ve only just begun, and our best days still lie ahead of us. Today’s problems are simply tomorrow’s victories. Bring it on. Let’s roll. Remember the Alamo. And all that jazz.
Hat Tip: Asymmetrical Information
