Germany hits back at Romney's Euro-bashing

[tawadi]

Germany hits back at Romney's Euro-bashing

From: AFP
January 21, 2012 5:58AM

GERMANY'S foreign minister has assured Americans that Europe left socialism behind two decades ago, despite statements to the contrary by Republicans on the US presidential campaign trail.

With Republican White House hopefuls telling voters they will prevent America from sinking into a European-type malaise, Guido Westerwelle sought to dispel the notion of a region collapsing on the back of social welfare.

"When I look at the American debate over the past weeks I see mostly a caricature of Europe, the image of a continent mired in gloom and self-absorption," he told an audience at Brookings Institution overnight.

Read more at:http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/breaking-news/germany-hits-back-at-romneys-euro-bashing/story-e6freonf-1226249968396?from=public_rss

[pampango]

1. The American right knows that it has to discredit Europe. Otherwise, Americans might learn

that the "old" continent is prosperous and much more progressive than the "New World" across the ocean.

The right's caricature of Europe as a continent of old socialists with a declining standard of living because they take the "risk" out of life, is a critical part of the GOP's effort to keep Americans from achieving the same progressive benefits that Europeans have.

[Mosaic]

9. Spot on, you speak the truth

I agree with you fully. I have been to Europe, I respect them immensely for so much, in their societies and cultures. Every country there is fascinating to me.

[Mira]

10. Well said!

I grew up in Europe, and I get calls. First through the Bush years, then in the Hope through Obama years, and now in the "WTF is going on with you guys" years. The Tea party and the present day Republicans are beyond anything they can fathom.

[KT2000]

2. R's always embarrass us

to the rest of the world.
Regular citizens take these things seriously when they are misrepresented like this. Remember talking with a Canadian man and his wife who visted our booth at a fair. They wanted me to understand that what is said about the Canadian health care system in the US is not correct.
People do get offended but in real R style - they don't care.

[RKP5637]

5. Yep, R's have been pretty much a constant embarrassment to this country over

several decades.

[CTyankee]

3. this is so stupid I can't believe it.

dumb and dumber, this is.

We have got to step up our game and get smarter. Are we idiots?

The handwriting is on the wall and so many Americans just want to go willingly to the slaughter. I don't get it.

I am in a lot of despair on this...

[carla]

6. I lived in Europe

for 17 years. The standard of living there is so vastly superior to what we now have here in the states that any criticism of them is pure jealousy and bullshit. Europe has a future. America? ? !!!

[CatholicEdHead]

4. Romney was dog whistling FDR

Since FDR set the plan up for Truman and others to follow to rebuild Europe (and Japan) post WWII. They continued on after the New Deal could only go far in the US.

[DCBob]

7. The problem is this works for the low-information voters..

and is red meat to their base. However, its totally irresponsible and ignorant and is harms our relations with some of our best allies. Pathetic fools.

[lovuian]

8. Germany is doing quite well

financially
education
healthcare
and quality of life

They are progressive
Their trains and using solar energy
and that nuclear power plants will be shutdown as well as their rejection to GMO crops

seem to me enlightened country

even Merkel is losing power day by day