Perhaps one reason DS is so readily accepted is because the typical European has no comparison other than communism. One could argue they’ve been through monarchies and dictatorships, but those experiences are only in the minds of a rapidly fading generation. The point here is that the modern European has no personal experience to compare socialist Western Europe with a Republic capitalist system unique to America. In short, they don’t know what they’re missing. Mainly the opportunities our system offers to those willing to exploit the advantage through hard work. 

Conversely, most Americans have no clue what it is like to live under DS. Their perspective is purely one-dimensional. Most haven’t lived with a nanny state that’s involved in practically every faucet of your personal life. What it’s like to give 45, 50, in some cases 65% of your earnings to a government that dictates among other things, who you can and cannot put in your last will and testament. In Italy, if you’re married with children, grande fratello (big brother) decides what percentage of your estate goes to whom, based on what Guido (my euphemism for the Italian Government) deems “fair”. That not a joke.

Americans also have no concept of socialized medicine, other than what’s presented by people (enter Hollywood and the political elite) who will never have to wait in line for mediocre indifferent healthcare. Here’s one of my experiences: http://inthenow.blogtownhall.com/2008/05/03/socialized_medical_care_example.thtml

I should add another episode for comparison to the one linked. In 2003 I underwent major back surgery in Northern Italy. I received excellent, timely, first-class care. I had one of the best neurosurgeons in Italy and my own private room for three days of recovery. The difference between 2003 and 2008? Six years ago I was on active duty and the US military footed the bill to the Italian government. If you’re willing to pay, and/or have political connections, better than average care is available. Otherwise, get in line with the rest of the sheep.

Another downside to DS seldom experienced by Americans is the high jobless rate. Here are some numbers: Stats

Persistently high unemployment threatens the economic and social cohesion of the EU. European countries now have targets for raising employment and the participation ratio in the European labour market – but the most significant problems appear to be structural in nature and may take several years to resolve.

Europe’s labour market shows clear signs of market failure and this threatens living standards for millions of people in the years ahead.

At the 2000 EU Summit at Lisbon in Portugal, the EU agreed to take concerted action to reduce unemployment. However progress so far has been limited. The recent slowdown in the Euro Zone economy has seen unemployment rising above 8.5% in the summer of 2003.

It is very, very hard to find a job here, regardless of your qualifications. It always helps to have a good network and know people in the right places, regardless of country or government system. However, knowing someone here is everything. It’s not just enough to work hard, in most cases you MUST be connected. I cannot stress this enough. Guido bequeaths and sequesters on his own terms.

There’s another reason why it’s difficult to get hired.

The Italian government has enacted rules to “protect” the worker, much the same way unions do in America. One law provides that as an employer, you must provide any employee who becomes pregnant full paid leave for up to one year.  (I would specify female employee, but that distinction was shattered last year by “Mister” Thomas Beatie.) 

Another statute specifies that you give fulltime employees sick leave with pay for the duration of their illness.

Now imagine that your sick employee has been diagnosed with a mental stress disorder requiring an unknown amount of rest. Also imagine that his government employed healthcare provider is a relative of your "ailing" employee, and/or is willing to accept a gratuitous payment under the table to supplement his meager government stipend. Now imagine this scenario is the norm.  

So what would you do as an employer? You hire only men that you implicitly trust. Then to fill the gaps, you employ young part-time help and fire them before they establish fulltime status. Later you get a new batch of young workers from the bulging unemployed workforce eager for anything. It’s the only way a business can survive.

Ironically, the rules in force to protect jobs only create an atmosphere of mistrust between employer and employee that is detrimental to all…namely the economy.

Add to the European mindset the influence from the liberal dominated press that takes a dim view of capitalism and America at large. Young minds in both America and Europe are easily influenced.

These few examples of what you can expect from a DS America are only the tip of the proverbial iceberg.  More important, this perspective is missing in the minds of most Americans. That is one reason they are so easily led down the socialist primrose path.

Whether or not a DS America can be averted depends on many variables:

·        Government expansion in the next four to eight years, i.e. how many people Obama can get and keep on the teet

·        Creating a welfare state that ensures enough democrat voters

·        Legislating more social programs

·        Implementing draconian taxes

·        Keeping the MSM onboard the Obama train

·        Outlawing personal weapons

·        Federalizing private industry like banking and healthcare

·        Silencing opposition

·        How long older Americans with a traditional perspective remain alive and willing to resist

These are off the top of my head and I’m sure you can think of more.

I’m not optimistic. The Europeans have moved both right and left in their politics, but always within the confines of a DS system. If Europe is the model, the cat ain’t going back n' da bag.