More Regressive "Progressives"
20 April 2007
Editor, The Washington Times
To the Editor:
So Europe is increasingly jingoist ("Ultranationalist fervor hits Europe," April 20). What a contrast with that region's reputation for being progressive, humane, and cosmopolitan. Alas, the same modern European policies and attitudes that delude many people to admire those countries - vast welfare states, strict "protections" for workers, and disdain for commercial culture - promote in Europeans an ugly nationalism.
These policies and attitudes stymie economic growth and put a premium on being able to suckle the states' teats. It's unsurprising, then, that Europeans detest foreigners who move there. These foreigners compete not only for hard-to-find jobs but also for opportunities to suckle before the teats run dry.
Sincerely,
Donald J. Boudreaux
Chairman, Department of Economics
George Mason University
Editor, The Washington Times
To the Editor:
So Europe is increasingly jingoist ("Ultranationalist fervor hits Europe," April 20). What a contrast with that region's reputation for being progressive, humane, and cosmopolitan. Alas, the same modern European policies and attitudes that delude many people to admire those countries - vast welfare states, strict "protections" for workers, and disdain for commercial culture - promote in Europeans an ugly nationalism.
These policies and attitudes stymie economic growth and put a premium on being able to suckle the states' teats. It's unsurprising, then, that Europeans detest foreigners who move there. These foreigners compete not only for hard-to-find jobs but also for opportunities to suckle before the teats run dry.
Sincerely,
Donald J. Boudreaux
Chairman, Department of Economics
George Mason University
Posted by Don Boudreaux on
Monday November 26, 2007 at 1:07pm