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June 23, 2005
Danger Will Robinson, EU Getting a Clue!
It seems that the EU may be getting its head on straight:
One vision of Europe has been passing away. It is the politically united Europe with strong central institutions modeled on the French state, and with social guarantees which lie in the continental tradition. That Europe, which was to stand up against America as at least an equal, would have had its president, ambassadors, army, and tax regime. It will never happen.
The new vision of Europe which is replacing it is less of a political force, but with a stronger, more vibrant economy. It is a Europe which can prosper in a world which includes China and India among its economic drivers. It will do so by reducing its taxes, subsidies and regulations, and by trading more openly and honestly. It will recognize the part which incentives and motivation play in economic expansion. adamsmith.org
I was never worried about the EU before, because frankly, having the French and Germans run things via a bureaucracy located in Brussels wasn't something I would wish on my worst enemy. For all the newspaper nonsense about the EU being able to challenge the US, I thought to myself “they're putting the French in charge? Bwa Ha Ha Ha!”
But now? If they give up on having any sort of military (which frankly they've been doing for years, NATO troops have been a joke for the last 20 years), and they stop being socialist? That might be scary, because their economy wouldn't have to lug this big military around the world in order to keep everyone honest like we have to.
Then again, if we can fix the Middle East, that only leaves Africa, and they have less money, which strangely makes the problem easier. So maybe in 20 years we can stand down our military as well.
That would be cool. Maybe we can spend that money on space exploration instead!
Posted by the at June 23, 2005 10:26 AM
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