A special EU-Digest report
As American As Apple Pie - Is the EU-US Relationship on the rocks? - by Rick Morren
An American TV commentator on the US Fox Network was questioning why Europeans had so little gratitude for the Americans, who as he said, "did so much for Europe. Europeans copy everything we have and do, fast-food, music and clothes, but they are always critical of us, what is wrong with them?"
The American TV commentator was obviously mixing apples with pears? Europeans have no problem at all with American culture, or for that matter anyone else in the world, just as there is no problem with European culture. An angry French student can throw stones at the US ambassador's car in Paris, wearing Levi's Jeans, while an American college student could burn the EU flag on a US campus, carrying a Gucci bag. Both products are now made in China by the way. No, you can't mix the politics with the culture. The Hamburger and the Frankfurter both came from Europe and today are considered just as American as American Apple pie, another German import. Even Europe's favorite composers, Beethoven and Tchaikovsky have become universal cultural property. The issue in Europe and other parts of the world is really about the American economic and political policy of the US administration - "our way is the only way". That is, unless all the polls in the world are wrong, or just considered "street chatter" ?
Most European leaders: Merkel (Germany), Gordon Brown/Tony Blair (Britain), Balkenende (the Netherlands), Vaclav Klaus (Czech Republic), Rasmussen(Denmark), Persson (Sweden), Prodi (Italy), Zapatero (Spain) and quite a few others are "middle of the road". They stand for a mix of more market controlled economies, less social welfare, less taxes, better regulated universal healthcare, and far reaching public/private sector controlled environmental standards. As individuals these political leaders are pragmatic, moderately nationalistic, pro-European, and do not believe in unilateral action. They are willing to listen to America, but also willing to question or disagree with them. They all believe, like many of us, in the transatlantic alliance between Europe and the US, a pillar of world democracy.
However, in order to be a good partner in any kind of alliance, European politicians need to finally agree on a workable EU Constitution, which has a solid political foundation, is more inclusive, less elitist, more independent, and provides for more assertiveness for the EU on the international scene. It will make Europe a stronger partner in any alliance, including the one with the Americans.
As for Europe's continuing relationship with America? In a way we envy America's directness, and love them, regardless of Bush, Cheney, Wolfowitz, Donald Rumsfeld, and all those other neo-cons roaming the world on behalf of America. We know their days are numbered and that they will eventually end up in history as just another product of corporate, populist and religious fanatism gone out of control. So don't worry, happy days could be here gain soon in the relationship between Europe and America.
