GOP Europe-Bashing Intensifies

When did Europe join Iran and North Korea as part of the Axis of Evil?  If you listen to the Republican Party candidates for president, Europe is is the model for Barack Obama's plan to enslave Americans with social welfare program.  Mitt Romney has been the most vocal Republican in using Europe to attack the president: 

"He (Obama) wants to turn America into a European-style entitlement society," he said in his victory speech after winning the New Hampshire primary. "We want to ensure that we remain a free and prosperous land of opportunity. This president takes his inspiration from the capitals of Europe; we look to the cities and small towns of America."

I can understand criticism of the fiscal practices of Eurozone countries such as Italy, Greece and Spain, but why does Romney paint Europe as antithetical to American values? Is it the fact that EU countries are committed to universal health care? That Europeans are healthier and live longer?  That Europe has better public schools that produce skilled knowledge workers for the 21st century economy? Is it the high-speed trains and superior transportation infrastructure?

Ever since Barack Obama took office in 2005 he has been portrayed by his right-wing detractors as the alien "other" - he's the Kenyan-born Muslim or an effete Harvard-educated socialist who goes around the world "apologizing" for America or the "food stamp president" who spits on "American exceptionalism".  There is a racist subtext to much of this, which Romney wisely wants to tone down, so painting Obama as a "European socialist" is a more acceptable way to say "he's not one of us''. 

The Atlantic Review takes note of Romney's Europe-bashing and doesn't believe it will gain much traction: 

Romney and the others won't succeed. Americans are smarter than these guys think. American voters know that bashing Europe will not fix US problems. Americans will vote for the person with the best plan to solve their economic problems.

I wish I could be as sanguine.

See also Lee Siegel's piece in the New York TImes:  What's Race Got to Do With It?

Comments

[Hattie]

It's those darn sidewalk cafes that encourage indolence and block sidewalks.
Who can take those Republican mugs seriously?

[James]

See also Steve Sailer's piece on Lee Siegel's piece.

http://www.isteve.blogspot.com/2012/01/whats-race-got-to-do-with-it.html