America vs EU?

[Talshere]

I hate it when then lump Britain with the EU. I like the concept and all, but I really dont support our continued presence. I think we would be better of it we were towed slightly further away.

 

[Giest4life]

France saved the US in our Revolutionary War, but we saved France from the Germans twice.
France owes us a save in WWIII. We are about even with England, killed each other twice but saved each other twice (The RAF saved England, which saved us from fighting the Nazi's alone but we showed up and tag-teamed them Germans).

But Europe does have Rome and Greece, the 2 best historical places.

France also gave your precious "constitution." Ever heard of a little book called The Spirit of Laws ?

 

[mr_rubino]

France saved the US in our Revolutionary War, but we saved France from the Germans twice.
France owes us a save in WWIII. We are about even with England, killed each other twice but saved each other twice (The RAF saved England, which saved us from fighting the Nazi's alone but we showed up and tag-teamed them Germans).

But Europe does have Rome and Greece, the 2 best historical places.

France also gave your precious "constitution." Ever heard of a little book called The Spirit of Laws ?

Not even France has.

 

[Risingblade]

Where's the fairness in comparing one country to a whole set of countries?

 

[Cat Cloud]

What a good response! I still don't understand how Americans can find the English, (sophisticated, obviously) accent in any way amusing. Does it show a lack of confidence in yourself, to find a well-pronounced speaker amusing?

It's not so much amusing as it is interesting. We are surrounded by American accents in every day life, TV, etc. so hearing something different sounds cool and somewhat amusing. We're just not use to your accents.

OT:Why is the single country of the US being compared to the continent of Europe? Really. And it's not like we don't know how this will end. Europeans will tell us how we're all fat, rude, arrogant, gun obsesed losers who can't spell, have a horrible accent, and live in a war zone, and Americans wil attempt to defend themselves while probably offending several countries and proving to a certian degree that they are very patriotic. Comments about how stupid this all is will be made.

One thing I always wonder about is how no one ever seems to comment on how we all have different cultures. Things and actions that are acceptible in one country are repulsive in anouther. We all also have completly different governments. Shouldn't that make fairly judging countries against one anouther harder and basically useless? Not that it matters, since it's more interesting to just bash each other.

 

[Jester00]

EU is home to Scandinavia (Canada-is-America's-hat-translation: Norway, Sweden and Denmark) the countries with the most well functioning society models on the planet.

/agree.

USA has also the highest annual murder rate in the world with about 11,000 deaths. In comparison, the 2nd highest annual murder rate is Germany, with 60 to 80. This alone is reason enough to never set foot in that hell hole.

i didn't get killed yet.

i live in europe and i really like it. but i also like america. hm.

 

[Dr. Whiggs]

I have a reason for saying EU > USA.

EU is home to Scandinavia (Canada-is-America's-hat-translation: Norway, Sweden and Denmark) the countries with the most well functioning society models on the planet.

USA has also the highest annual murder rate in the world with about 11,000 deaths. In comparison, the 2nd highest annual murder rate is Germany, with 60 to 80. This alone is reason enough to never set foot in that hell hole.

How's your suicide rate going?

 

[Nickolai77]

Don't really know how much political influence they could get though, with Germany and Great Britain basicly running the whole thing. You get seats based on your population number you know.

Your correct, but Iceland will have some power in the EU rather than none at all. The latter option is still more preferable.

I get into international pissing contests almost every time I see my friends. I am English. I live in France. It's quite problematic at times, the best being the time me and my best friend were shouting (at the top of our voices) at each other about France's impact on WWII... In the middle of a history lesson. The teacher was not best pleased. Good times...

Sounds like it

But out of interest, how do the French view the English? Is the tongue in cheek rivalry mutually shared?

Also, judging by the complete lack of French people on the Escapist...do the French not like speaking English?

 

[Razgovory]

As odd as this next statement will sound, I have an explanation for it.

Comparing the United States to Europe/the EU is really comparing apples to oranges.


The United States, however, was formed by English malcontents, who were followed by malcontents from all countries of Europe, and eventually the world. These people saw their governments as power-hungry and dominating, and simply wanted to be left alone. They formed a new, limited government in the New World, and built a country around it. The mindset of the people was that their government should not have such an influence on the people, and they lived according to it. This is seen in the center-right nature of the American populace. Recent swings to the left notwithstanding, the US government is usually kept small(ish) and out of the way, at least comparatively. The American people prefer to sacrifice the safety of a powerful, protective government for the freedom to do most anything they like. The implementation of a European-style Socialist government would be met with outrage at best. The worst-case scenario is a military mutiny at the highest level. and a popular uprising from everywhere that is not the East Coast and southern California.

This is a common misconception of American history. The Early American government (and people) were not against government influence in people's daily lives. The major argument in those days over government was not the government vs the individual, but the Federal Government vs the State Governments. The early governments of the United States had no problem interfering in the lives of it's citizens. The difference was that it was normally local government that did so. State, county, and municipal governments developed a byzantine systems of regulations and laws to govern their citizens. Those who were the proponents of strong state powers and weak Federal powers were known as Democratic Republicans and were led by the likes of James Monroe and Thomas Jefferson. Those in favor of a strong Federal Government were known as Federalist and were led by John Adams and Alexander Hamilton.

 

[Therumancer]

I think a lot of this comes from economic rivalry that is gradually tearing what solidarity the US and Europe have had apart at a crucial time. I think we should be spending less time bickering with each other, and fighting over where world finance is going to be situated (Wall Street, or the European Common Market) and spending more time focusing on dealing with common problems like the rising power of eastern nations like China and Russia.

I mean honestly, instead of throwing bile at the US, I'd expect the EU to be focusing more attention on Russia given that they invaded a nation right on it's border (Georgia), threatened to nuke Poland over hosting defensive missle bases (and Poland is an EU member), and then cut off the gas/oil coming into the EU. That's where I'd expect the belligerance and one upsmanship to be directed.

This is all just my opinion of course.

 

[demoman_chaos]

France also gave your precious "constitution." Ever heard of a little book called The Spirit of Laws ?

Nope. You expect me to have considering I went through US schooling which is more about making sure everyone feels special and passes instead of trying to at least get people to use real words and proper grammer?

US eductation is non-existent. But what rulers would want their citizens to know their rights? If they know their rights, how can they take them away?

 

[Nikokvaj]

Norway is not EU. But I do agree with you otherwise.

I have been using the shortened form of "Europe" i.e. "EU" before the inception of the European Union, which - if we get technical about it, is the "E.U." not the "EU".

EU>US

Do you want to know why?

Proper beer.

You call warm beer proper? We laugh at you! Ha-ha-ha!

I think that's more of a british thing, rather then european.
I might be wrong tho, not much of a beer expert.

This.

The top three beer countries in Europe, and by extension the world are;

#1. Belgium... For the best dark beer
#2. Ireland... For the runner up dark beer
#3. Czech republic... For the best (and original) pilsner, aka light beer.

And invariably most European beer brands across the continent are good beers overall.

Denmark has Carlsberg, Germany has a crapton of which probably Warsteiner is the most delicious, Spain has Coroña, Norway has E.C. Dahls and Russia has Stary Melnik.

The only European country to produce mostly sub-par beer IMO, is Poland. Żywiec?? What were you thinking, Poland? PISSWASSER!

If you want to try a good Polish beer, you should try the Piast. That's gotta be one of the best brands of beer I've ever tasted

 

[Madara XIII]

One thing you have to give America the advantage over is Natrual Wonders. America truely is a beautiful country, just don't screw it up.

LOL a little too late on that statement XD

Next stop a re-enactment of the fall of the Roman Empire for me and wonderful America!!

 

[Snake Plissken]

EU>US

Do you want to know why?

Proper beer.

I would beg to differ. I will NEVER discount Europe for their phenomenal beers and their long history of doing it in the traditional capacity. But the idea that "proper" beer can't be brewed in the United States is ridiculous. There are far too many variables to count that makes a particular beer what it is, but all of those variables are reproducible and have been reproduced in the United States (except for Belgian yeast strains. Monks have a lockdown on that shit).

In one of his last interviews/speeches before he died, Michael Jackson (the beer connoisseur, not the dude who wrote "Thriller") was asked a question by a smug German dude in the crowd that frenzied the audience. The question?

"Which country makes the best beer in the world right now?"

Michael Jackson responded by saying that it was the Americans. I understand that his opinion is not completely objective, but he was the LEADING beer expert in the world prior to his death. His opinion does carry a lot of weight.

EDIT: Michael Jackson was European, by the way.

As it turns out, I do prefer many European beers over their American counter-parts, but this is due to the fact that I actually do brew beer and have tasted far more varieties of beers than most can possibly fathom.

Let's also not forget that the American beer company laughing stock Big 3 (Bud, Miller, and Coors) are not REALLY American. They were founded by immigrants from Germany, Germany, and Prussia, respectively.

Europeans have their tried-and-true methods, and created the standards. American microbreweries have been more innovative in the last 20 years than Europe has over the last 300-400. There is room for both innovation and tradition, and calling one "proper" or superior makes absolutely no sense.

 

[Drauden]

France saved the US in our Revolutionary War, but we saved France from the Germans twice.
France owes us a save in WWIII. We are about even with England, killed each other twice but saved each other twice (The RAF saved England, which saved us from fighting the Nazi's alone but we showed up and tag-teamed them Germans).

But Europe does have Rome and Greece, the 2 best historical places.

I suppose everyone, including the US, owes Russia then? Or the Soviet Union. People always seem to forget about our commie-friends.

 

[Razgovory]

It's funny how many people still think that America actually saved any country involved in ww2. No, they really didn't, the whole reason we won WW2 was thanks to Russia so everyone can just stop saying America saved the world from nazism.

The Russians weren't exactly doing well before Lend Lease.

 

[Razgovory]

France also gave your precious "constitution." Ever heard of a little book called The Spirit of Laws ?

Shame France didn't follow it's own advice and develop a lasting system of Laws.

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

EU>US

Do you want to know why?

Proper beer.

I would beg to differ. I will NEVER discount Europe for their phenomenal beers and their long history of doing it in the traditional capacity. But the idea that "proper" beer can't be brewed in the United States is ridiculous. There are far too many variables to count that makes a particular beer what it is, but all of those variables are reproducible and have been reproduced in the United States (except for Belgian yeast strains. Monks have a lockdown on that shit).

In one of his last interviews/speeches before he died, Michael Jackson (the beer connoisseur, not the dude who wrote "Thriller") was asked a question by a smug German dude in the crowd that frenzied the audience. The question?

"Which country makes the best beer in the world right now?"

Michael Jackson responded by saying that it was the Americans. I understand that his opinion is not completely objective, but he was the LEADING beer expert in the world prior to his death. His opinion does carry a lot of weight.

EDIT: Michael Jackson was European, by the way.

As it turns out, I do prefer many European beers over their American counter-parts, but this is due to the fact that I actually do brew beer and have tasted far more varieties of beers than most can possibly fathom.

Let's also not forget that the American beer company laughing stock Big 3 (Bud, Miller, and Coors) are not REALLY American. They were founded by immigrants from Germany, Germany, and Prussia, respectively.

Europeans have their tried-and-true methods, and created the standards. American microbreweries have been more innovative in the last 20 years than Europe has over the last 300-400. There is room for both innovation and tradition, and calling one "proper" or superior makes absolutely no sense.

Nobody cares that much. I appreciate the fact that you weren't being rude or anything, but that's a massive overreaction to a very small joke.

Really, do you write this kind of thing at every small jibe that gets made?

EDIT:

I have a reason for saying EU > USA.

EU is home to Scandinavia (Canada-is-America's-hat-translation: Norway, Sweden and Denmark) the countries with the most well functioning society models on the planet.

USA has also the highest annual murder rate in the world with about 11,000 deaths. In comparison, the 2nd highest annual murder rate is Germany, with 60 to 80. This alone is reason enough to never set foot in that hell hole.

How's your suicide rate going?

Don't qoute me on this, but I'd expect it to be quite low. Scandinavian countries are apparently quite happy nations according to some statistics that I can't remember.

 

[Lord Kloo]

You know although I'm strictly 'Conservative English' and pro British I don't really care that much

America may have more idiots, fascists, more idiots, etc. Europe has a bunch of superior thinking twats and health and safety executives.. So to conclude neither EU or USA is better they shall both submit to the glorious future of communism.. no don't like them either but hey its the future..

OT: Overall humanity is so wrong in some many senses that it should just be put down altogether..

 

[Nikokvaj]

My father owns a farming company that grows Roses among other things, its been a family company for over 50 years. If we join the EU then shops will just start importing foreign Roses/products for slightly less money, and then his company as well as all of the similar companies in the country are fucked.

Well has your father ever heard of the word EXPORT. You know, the opposite of import. He could make something from that.
And imported products would not rule the market. Because we have grown accustomed to our own nations produce, and as it is now, most of our product is better than anything that other countries make.

And I'm going to drop this word again, EXPORT!!! Farmers and Fishermen and all around produce workers would be able to export. Many people in the nearest European countries will admit that Icelandic milk, cheese and butter is quite fucking delicious. And us tapping that market could help us out a lot in the long run.

Just to back you up:


Iceland is in the European Economic Area, and so while it can freely trade with the EU, it has to adopt all EU legislation related to the EU single market, except with regards to agriculture and fisheries.

But basically, joining the EU would give Iceland more political power because, with Iceland being represented on the EU council, and with Icelanders in the Commission and Parliament, Iceland will have a say on legislation which effects Iceland. Otherwise, Iceland is virtually a satellite state because it has no say on EU legislation.

Plus, considering how shaken up the Icelandic currency was after the banking crisis, joining the Eurozone might be a better idea.

Don't really know how much political influence they could get though, with Germany and Great Britain basicly running the whole thing. You get seats based on your population number you know.

This isn't entirely true, what you are referring to is the European Parliament, which functions much like the US House of Representatives.

But, like with the US, the EU also has a "Senate", the Council of the EU, which also has to ratify any treaty. This is made up of 27 seats (one per country) and passes laws by either unanimous consent or majority consent.

So, much like with the US, there are measures guaranteeing the sovereignty of smaller states.