With their free health care and strong Euro why does the EU get such a bad rap by Americans ?

Question

Lachlan W...I always had a great time in your country

Answer 1

As an Australian I too wonder this (I read the anti-European comments here aimed at their economic system).

I think it is because as the number one power against anything socialist during the Cold War, they view anything that is slightly socialised (such as universal healthcare) with distrust. McCarthyism and what not would have played a big part in shaping such attitudes.

Fundamental differences in values plays a part. Rugged individualism and a sense of strong private ownership doesn't exist in Europe as much as the 'States. Europeans are willing to pay higher taxes if it means everybody gets a fair go and safety systems are in place; in the USA people like to keep the fruits of their labour and rely solely on voluntary aid. These attitudes can be traced back to the relative histories of the two regions: the USA is a predominantly young country whereas Europe is old and has been through most of the stages the 'States are in today (i.e. the Enlightenment and Classical Liberalism in the 19th century).

Touting the Soviet Union as an example of how socialist policies failed is the same as touting how successful capitalism and water privatisation is for the Third World (enforced by the IMF and World Bank loaning scheme). The best system, consistently shown, is a MIX of both socialist and capitalist elements. Centrism is the name of the game in Europe; here in Australia we are centre-right but I hope we don't stray any further. I have no desire to see the American economic system in operation here.

Answer 2

I didn't know us Americans had a problem with Europeans... aside form the french, and that's because their a bunch of little girls.

Answer 3

I dunno... perhaps we have a tendency to remember historical events surrounding collaborative efforts of European nations.

Answer 4

I'm an American now living in Europe, and while I have heard Europeans being endlessly run down in the USA, I rarely hear the USA run down by Europeans. Much of the resentment from Americans seems to come from misconceptions about Europe, usually by people who have never even been here.

The anti-French attitude among Americans is particularly confusing: the USA system of government was inspired by French intellectualism, the French intervention in the American Revolution helped the USA to be its own country, the French present of the Statue of Liberty created an enduring symbol for the USA, and on and on. Every time I've been to France, people have been really nice -- and very knowledgeable about the USA.

The health care here in Europe is amazing; for instance, my American friends who have had babies here were shocked to find that the doctors decide when a person leaves the hospital, not the insurance companies! Taxes are high, but at least here in Germany, streets are repaired, the mass transit is excellent, the children's TV shows are focused on education rather than selling toys and cereals, there are bike lanes everywhere, the crime rate is much lower than the USA, and on and on.

Most Europeans loathe the current USA President, indeed, but rarely have I encountered resentment directed at me for that. Europeans sure know a lot more about the American political system than Americans know about Europe.

I'm really sorry that the dollar is so low against the Euro, because Americans really need to travel outside the USA more.

I sure miss Tex Mex food though. And a lot of American food in general. European cuisine is great... but I miss my idea of "home cooking".

Answer 5

When was their health care "free"?

Answer 6

the EU its self is doing good right now but their countries have alot of anti Americanism which may be changing with the new Conservative presidents of France and Italy the EU is strong only because they are copying the US

Answer 7

There are a lot of problems with your premise/initial asking of the question:

1)  Free health care is not enough to earn friends.  Cuba has free health care, too.  2)  And besides, that health care is not provided by the EU but by individual nations within the EU.  The EU has nothing to do with it.  3)  Much of the rationale and policy of the EU is deliberately formed to counter U.S. influence -- of course some Americans will resent that.  Especially when it's used to consort with past/current enemies.  4)  As was pointed out by someone else, a strong currency is cyclical, and why would it have anything to do with why some Americans wouldn't like the EU?

All this said, Americans in general like Europe -- just not their politics and knee-jerk anti-Americanism.  Also, their health care system is not for us, nor their smug attitude about it.

Answer 8

Ask the average UK citizen how they like the open border c**p from the EU. Countries that had their act together are now flooded by third world losers that go right into council homes and grab for that big government teat.

Go peddle your new world c**p somewhere else

Answer 9

As mentioned, there is no such thing as 'free' health care. It is paid for by someone.

The Euro is strong today, but currency rates change. And this has little to do with how Americans feel about Europeans. Thing about it, does the strength of the Dollar have anything to do with your feelings towards Americans?

Overall, I don't think that most Americans have bad opinions about Europeans, except the French. (And we all should understand the historical reasons behind that.)

Answer 10

Because they talk bad about us, but only after there countries get millions and millions of US dollars in aid, and protection.