From: Randy (cryofan@mylinuxisp.com)
Date: Mon Jun 10 2002 - 21:42:02 MDT
>From
http://www.tompaine.com/feature.cfm/ID/5753
Good debunking of fashionable propagando-meme by liberal
quasi-socialist economists:
Debunking this article:
Golden Moment Eluding Europe
Steven Pearlstein
The Washington Post, June 4, 2002, Page E1
>>>
This lengthy article, which has the sub-headline "Resistance to Reform
Stymies Bid To Become Economic Rival of U.S.," reports on the
reluctance of most European governments to adopt U.S.-style
capitalism. It asserts that this reluctance to follow the U.S. path is
harming Europe's economy. Some of the facts that the article presents
as evidence that Europe's economy is losing out to the United States
either show the opposite or provide no clear basis for comparison.
There is also little evidence that some of the "reforms," which the
article appears to advocate, would actually increase European
prosperity.
...
At one point the article quotes an economist commenting on Germany:
"you can't get a nanny, you can't get affordable household help and
you can't shop at nights or on weekends because all the stores are
closed." It then characterizes these features of the German economy as
"problems." Most people seem to prefer not to work as nannies, as
household help, or as retail clerks putting in odd hours. In the
United States many people take these jobs because they lack better
options. The fact that German workers don't feel this need is evidence
of its economic success, not failure.
It is worth noting the headlines of the other articles featured on the
front page of the Post business section alongside this piece extolling
the superiority of American capitalism: "Tyco CEO Resigns Amid
Criticism: Kozlowski Says He Is Subject of Tax Probe," "Energy Firm
Executive Kills Self: El Paso Corp. Denies Rumors of Revelations,"
"Anderson Witness Says He Advised Against Shredding," "Cash Missing at
Venture Capital Association: President Won't Discuss Former Director's
Unannounced Resignation," and "SEC Says Microsoft Broke Law."
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