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
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