When asking this question it might be a good idea to look at what unites and divides these two Atlantic Alliance partners.
Historical ties:
US and Europe respect many common democratic ideals and through-out
the years always jointly stood up for these ideals on many occasions,
including-fighting wars and conflicts over these ideals against
adversaries together .
Economics: both the EU
and the US adhere, certainly if we look at these ideals in the past, to
supporting and promoting free and open global trade,
This common purpose has, however, eroded rapidly over the past 5 - 10 years.
Comparing US and EU austerity programs following the 2008 economic crises, it seems that when you put EU austerity
programs under a magnifying glass they are in effect quite realistic, and even though they are
so far not showing spectacular results, these measures seem to be working.
The
US, on the other hand, seems to be doing economics by "magic wand" and
in the process has rung up the world's biggest deficit.
The
so-called
quantitative easing {QE) developed by the US Fed in fact means just printing more money and putting their
head in the sand. QE is only pushing the day of reckoning further
away. Unfortunately, this kind of economic policy will come and haunt the
US in a big way one day.
In the past the US had a thriving industrial base on which it could fall back. It does not have that today.
As
to Europe and the ECB, chaired by Mario Draghi, a former Goldman Sachs
employee, it seems the ECB is also expected to take the plunge into
quantitative easing, mainly as a result of constant Wall Street Pressure.
The results, in the long run, will like with the US program, eventually not be what was expected.
Facts and figures: European economic data is usually very accurate. In
contrast, US economic data including labor data is not always accurate,
making it necessary for the US Government to release several updates and
revisions which make it quite confusing for economic analysts.
Freedom of the Press: there does not seem to be any apparent censorship of the Press in either the EU or the US
Watching
the news in America outsiders are constantly amazed by the
uniformity and sensationalist news coverage projected by the corporate owned networks to
the majority of US viewers,
Two US exceptions as to the above observation are "link TV" and "PBS".
Aljazeera America and BBC America are also considered good alternatives for news "without a slant" one can watch in America.
For
more international news, another possibility is "streaming" news from France24
on your computer. .
For
Europeans in America interested to keep up-to-date with their home news
they will find most local European TV stations have internet links which
you can watch anywhere in the world..
Miscellaneous observations Some other general observations about American and European differences
Like the EU, the US is a magnet for immigrants and refugees from economically, democratically, and war ravaged countries.
The
US population in general is obese, consumer driven, under-educated and
not very savvy when it comes to world affairs or in speaking foreign
languages.
The EU population is nationalistically and negatively inclined at what they consider as foreign, be it immigrants or
religious beliefs..
Europeans in general are far better educated than
Americans, many speak at least 2 to 3 languages and are aware of what
is going on around the world.
Corporations: Corporate America:
has basically taken over political America and regardless of the fact
that they are perceived in both the US and the EU as corrupt and too
powerful, are nevertheless continuing their practices as usual and are practically
unopposed by governments on both sides of the Atlantic
Corporations and their lobbyists are getting an ever stronger foothold in the European parliament.
Racial Divide: There is still a huge, often hidden, racial divide between black and white in America.
Middle
East: The strong Jewish influence and political lobby by Israel in
relation to US policies in the Middle East has certainly contributed to
the present chaotic situation in that area.
The situation
becomes even more muddled if one includes in that picture the US close
ties with Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
One
could also say that this situation is reminiscent of the former British
Empire "divide and conquer" policies which eventually ended in
disaster.
The EU has a different vision about relations
with Middle Eastern countries and has close ties with the Palestinians
and their leader Abbas .
The EU has also strongly objected against the destructive Israeli attacks against
Gaza and the unauthorized expansion of Israel on the West bank.
NATO: EU states are usually forced to go along with the US
on their military adventures in the Middle East and elsewhere as a
result of their membership in NATO.
Research and polls show that
68 % of the EU 500 million plus population would vote in favor of
getting out of the NATO if a referendum were held today
The
Environment: On the issues of global warming, GMO, and alternative
energy, the population of the US is held mainly in the dark by the
corporate controlled press and government.
Consequently, they are not totally aware of the dangers lurking around the corner if no action is taken.
Future outlook: A positive development for future change is that the "below 30"
of the US population have no appetite for any global military
adventures, and little or no confidence in their present political
representatives. and believe transparency of Government actions are compromised.
This positive outlook is also apparent in Europe
It
certainly is a hopeful sign that the change which is coming will
probably also result in the US and the EU becoming more equal and
independent partners within the Atlantic Alliance than they are today.
EU-Digest
In presenting a series of initiatives aimed at the middle class, Mr.
Obama hopes to pivot finally from the politics of adversity and
austerity that have frustrated him for much of his tenure.
