I have a proposal for you. But first, let me talk a little bit about some of the problems I currently have. In the country I was born in--the United Stats of America--we have about 46.3 million Americans without health care. It is an absolute crime against humanity. We have corporations in this country who have the power to essentially govern over the populace. Our elected officials are held in check by corporations and their donations--some are even ideological soulmates of the corporate world and its "free market" mentality.
It is because of this reality that we are unable to get healthcare coverage for everyone. It is because of this reality that we are unable to get a living wage passed or ensure that there are protections for workers at the workplace. It is because of this reality that workers have such a hard time organizing. Is is because of this reality that the cost of a college education is so high. It is because of this reality that we get outbreaks of E. Coli in the beef industry. It is because of this reality that we endanger the entire world because the United States of America cannot stand up to the oil and coal industries on carbon emissions or pollution in general. It is because of this reality that our urban areas are flooded with illegal weapons. We just can't seem to stand up to them and we allow their PR to drown us in a consumerist culture. We allowed them to bring down the entire economy through reckless banking escapades. We allowed them to outsource hundreds of thousands of jobs but at the same time abuse undocumented workers.
We simply do not regulate.
In this country we also deal with an unleashed fundamentalist social conservative (it's Christian but I disdain any religious fundamentalism) movement. They constantly try to legislate morality. They attempt to rewrite history when they talk about the founding generation. The authors of the Constitution, though not perfect, believed in a separation of church and state and would cringe at what is being attempted now. Now this social conservatism has resorted to wearing the costume of the "angry teabagger." They're upset with the way things in this country are. To them I say, where were you eight years ago? Where were you even in the 90's when NAFTA was passed? You are a sad and misguided lot.
The United States of America is headed towards the path of a corporatist-authoritarian state. It has been on a very long march ever since the repeal of the New Deal began. We worked hard to elect Barack Obama the president of this country, but if we cannot keep that coalition of people who voted and campaigned for him mobilized it will all be in vein. So far they have gone back to sleep. Where were they when the teabaggers were bringing guns to town hall healthcare meetings? Why didn't they march on the Mall here in Washington? One would say that there was a large mobilization during the Bush years concerning the Iraq War which wasn't covered by the media. You would be correct but by not coming out every time you allow the other side to get attention.
So anyhow here is my proposal. You guys over there in the EU seem to have your act together somewhat. You do regulate. You also know how to keep social conservatism in check. You are far more progressive than the United States. Honestly, I'd love for someone to tell me otherwise. So what's say you start a liberal-reality based community import program? We could make the European Union truly great you know. We could take all of our knowledge and money (and there is a lot of that ahem "donor state" ring a bell?) and leave. We could relocate that liberal "Hollywood" there too. Let the conservatives-corporatists take over. Let's see how they would like it once we were gone. If things keep going the way they are now it could happen. Sure, I write this partly as a sarcastic piece but there is a lot of reality here. Anyhow please consider it :)
Sincerely,
Jason