DEMM: August 2013

Can America ever make Europe happy?
We went into WW1 and then people blamed the USA for putting Germany in a position that started WW2. And yes a lot of European say this.Then we try and stay out of WW2 and just send money and supplies to the allies. We join and they get pissed at us for joining too late. We then use our money to boost Europe up after the War. They get pissed and say we are pushing our ways on them? Can America ever make Europe happy?
History - 11 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Nope and we shouldn't try.
2 :
No - and we really shouldn't try. The actions that we take should be with American safety and sovereignty in mind. If we try to please "them" instead of maintain our own rights and way of life... then we loose ourselves, and become them... The United States of America is absolutely the very best place in the world to live, and I am constantly stunned by people that come here (legally or not) from places that they don't want to live - and try to make the US like their old home country. Mind-boggling.
3 :
Well this is the first time I've heard the USA blamed for starting WWII. I'm British and I've travelled and worked extensively in Europe over the last 30-odd years and I've NEVER heard any European say this. All Europeans (except the French of course) unanimously blame France for starting WWII. The French insistence on draconian sanctions against Germany after WWI is what laid the foundation for Hitler's rise to power and the start of WWII.
4 :
Edit to Myce Elffe in My 38 years in the Military i have visited or lived in over 50 countries and i can assure you america is not the best country to live in if it was there would only be the USA North america has 307 million people africa has 760 million are they all applying to go to the USA No not even 1% are and i can assure you I have never even wanted to Holiday in the USA and my first choice is Australia(anywhere in) then Singapore, Berlin, St Petersberg, Oslo, Nijmegen, Hamburg, Tiawan, Penang Island, all these places have a high if not equal standard of living to the USA and more secure when was the last time Australia was Bombed WW2 i think ????? Your Question i assume does not include the UK ??? if it does try changing your lies to Facts We only want the Truth Because you never sent us money the USA took money and the only things the USA sent us we payed for Remember Lend lease last payment made in 2003 and what did you send France were they not under german rule until DDay as the rest of europe how much of that money went to rebuilding our enemy and Paton and Bradley told FDR the war will be over By Dec 1943 then the Incompetent Eisenhower arrived after MacArthur sent him Packing i don't want that idiot on my staff Yes i was in hamburg in 1959 Rebuilt under some USA plan whilst your allies city was still in Ruins We had been Bombed by Germany for 5 years and was still cleaning up in 1960 but we did manage to afford the 1948 Olympics Only by telling the Total truth starting with the War of Independence and the war of 1812 that The USA Started and Lost i keep reading it was a draw what did Canada loose nothing what did the USA loose 6000 troops no real estate gained and No white house any thumbs down will confirm what the USA needs to do for the World Edit29Dec2008 I see 6 thumbs down with NO reference to where i am wrong Good little 6 By the Way did the USA ever find WMD in Iraq ?????? and Yes i can handle the truth TELL THE TRUTH
5 :
Yes, it's very easy and worthwhile, but, no, it's probably not going to happen, even with Obama in power. Obama may very well change many things, but one things he's unlikely to change significantly is our foreign policy. Obama has already made threatening statements about Iran. Europe saw destruction in much of World War II. Entire cities were leveled. The Russians lost most of their countryside, even. Do you seriously think that these people are going to be gunning for more wars? Europe has adopted a policy of diplomacy and unity. North America is much more individualist, favoring action over words. Now, I'm not saying that one is necessarily better than the other, but when you have such radically different ways of solving problems, there's going to be some conflict. Europe is a powerful economic and military ally, and I feel that we should court them, rather than push them away. Personally, I would push for more involvement in the United Nations, joining the International Criminal Court, and signing many of the treaties that the past few administrations have declined. Will America and Europe ever see totally eye to eye? No, probably not. We have different cultures and political leanings. That's no reason to push away our allies, though. I think that if you actually LISTEN to people's rhetoric, you'll hear that they're very grateful for North America's involvement in their affairs, most of the time, and that they have legitimate concerns (at least from their point of view) for the times that have criticized us. As with any international communication, there will always be outspoken bigots, racists, nationalists, and ignorant loudmouths. Consider some of the people you've written off as cranks in America, and how they could be perceived in Europe, for example. Not everyone who speaks loudly speaks for his countrymen. I realize that I lean much more toward the pacifist, socialist, and federalist side than most Americans, but I think that we can all agree on one thing: allies are more useful than enemies.
6 :
America joined in both WWI and WW2, not to 'keep Europe happy', but out of enlightened self-interest. In the case of WWI, the immediate cause was the sinking of a (neutral) American ship, the Lusitania, by a German U-boat with the resulting deaths of many American civilians. It was finallt realised that America could no longer remain in glorious isolation and the torpedoes that sank that ship also sank the Monroe Doctrine. As to WW2, might I just mention a little incident called Pearl Harbour? Having been attacked by one of the Axis countries. the US could hardly ignore the other. As to using American money to 'boost up' Europe after the war, that was all part of the power play between the US and USSR. You've done very well out of Europe, chummy, ruining our high streets with the global capitalism of MacDonalds, Starbucks and such ghastly places. US capitalists were happy enough to grab what remained of European industry - particularly the car industry.
7 :
If you mean that Europe should just be a yes man and be happy with whatever decision the US take and follow like happy puppies I think you have a delusional idea of real life. Being allies (and we are) does not mean seeing always eye to eye, we both know that the first goal of international politics is to protect your own interests, diplomacy among allies means being able to lower your own expectancy to help reach a common goal. It doesn't mean all is love and candies. The US, being the biggest power around does try to push its ways on the rest of its allies, and with Bush team at the helm it went way further than that. We expect countries like Russia and China to be nasty bullies, we do not expect the US to imitate them. I might remind you of the anti-French campaign when many European countries refused to start a second war based on unverified say so (the famous WMD) when the first one in Afghanistan wasn't even finished. All that to say that yes we actually are pissed off with the US and their treatment of us, but we are waiting for your new government and even though it is normal for Obama to think of the US first I expect him to do better than Bush (not difficult) and be aware than allies does not mean inferiors to be treated like servants or kicked like Freedom poodles. All that said, we are more than allies, we are friends and we know it. Grumbling about allies does not mean we hate them. Preferring our own way of life over yours does not mean we hate yours. Seeing history in a different way is normal (no, we do not say you started WW2, but that a combination of events did cause it, the pulling out of the US funds from Germany being only one of those events) and if you ever open a history book from other countries you will be surprised how history you thought you knew is explained. Try it, that's an eye opener. And no, America will never make Europe happy because America will never try to make Europe happy. When you hear politicians grumbling about Europe never being happy it is because they failed to push US own interests on Europe not because they were trying to coddle us. And when you hear European politicians grumbling about the US never being happy it is because they failed to push Europe own interest on the US, not because they were trying to be nice little brothers to the US.
8 :
There is now a Western civilisation worldwide. It speaks English. But, for some time it looked as if it might be speaking French. And, for a moment, even German. but it didn't go that way. That is what all the gripe is about.
9 :
Do you really think that one country will enter a war, just to make happy another country? Sorry but this is a very naive vision of geopolitics. Read more and more about history and you will understand that there is not such a thing ever.
10 :
LOL You have a skewed view of history. Perhaps a book or two will help rather than just relying on "a lot of Europeans say this". I know a lot of Europeans ... I've lived in Europe. I've NEVER heard a European blame us for WWII. On the other hand, we're not in the business of "making Europe happy". Europe cannot even make Europe happy. It's a continent made up of many different nations with many different views -- some more favorable to the U.S. than others. As long as countries treat each other with respect -- that's all that's needed.
11 :
1) America did not join the League of Nations 2) Isolationist policies did untold damage and threatened american and world security circa early 1940s. 3) Many (Eastern) Europeans saw themselves as pawns in America's cold war games. "Better Red than dead" and all that. It would be unfair to say that america didn't "save" Europe....or at least save it from a longer war, but the threat was the Planet's, not Europe's and as the prevailing attitude in America at the time was one of isolationism, Europe bore the brunt of the aggression that would eventually have lead to either the safety of America, or a full scale Atlantic war at a later date had they failed. Either way, they should have been their earlier. Oh, and Clemenceau's guidelines for what to do with Europe were much more to do with the rise of Hitler than Wilson's. However, the biggest blame has to go on the failures of the Weimar government.

Why does everything cost so much in Germany?
I am moving to America from Germany next year and I am very excited. I visited there for one year as student and love everything about America! Everything is big and there is much more opportunity to get job and make much money. It is unbelievable how much cheaper things are in America. Petrol costs $2.58 USD per gallon but here in Germany it costs roundabout $7.18 USD per gallon! Also milk costs $2.99 USD per gallon in America but $5.60 USD per gallon here! I found one computer of the same model everything the same here in Germany it cost $2 200 USD but in America only $1 050 USD and a full DVD sound system from BOSE cost $3 480 USD in Germany and only $1 199 USD! That is no mistake. Hello? And people are more happy in America and friendly! Everyone in stores say sorry when we have accident but not in Germany. Naja. So why is this so? Why does everything cost so much more here in Europa. France it is even worser. Before I came to America I only heard how good it is but now I know!
Other - United States - 4 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
It is because of the nazi legacy.
2 :
Higher taxes which pay for a good public service sector in Germany. There are two sides to every story, and the down side is that there is no safety net in the US. what money you save on such stuff gets spent on health insurance, mortgages and college. Despite an abundance of cheaply made chinese goods in the US, I'd gladly go back to Germany (was stationed there in the Army)
3 :
Thank the VAT. Really the difference is taxes. As was stated, it's to pay for your "better public services". There IS a safety net in the US, but that's all it is, a safety net not a nanny state. Don't worry, we're getting there faster the we realize, then you'll be paying the same high prices here too. I hope you have an excellent stay in the States! You're right, it is a great place. I love it despite it's problems.
4 :
See my other answer in Germany

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