4 ms·

It troubles me deeply that we in America often cannot make an argument about advocating something without using EU as a crutch. Both left and right wings of the

It troubles me deeply that we in America often cannot make an argument about advocating something without using EU as a crutch. Both left and right wings of the political sphere. Examples: Ok: We shouldn’t allow abortion beyond trimester. Better: We shouldn’t allow abortion beyond trimester, that’s how it works in most EU countries. Ok: Vaccine mandates are not cool. Better: Vaccine mandates are not cool, just look at Sweden. Ok: Voting should require IDs. Better: Voting should require IDs, just look at EU. My country has a deep malaise of insecurity and inability to rationally think for itself. We were leading our ideas with basis of good arguments in 1950-1980s, then came all the things we want to idealize about EU. Nothing against EU, they should be promoting independent thought and not copy Americans either. Please don’t make arguments about what specific examples I gave. They may not be accurate but there are many more like this. The point to argue is not about vaccines or whatever, it’s about independent thought and policy.

hackeraccount 4y ago
I don't think that's just America. I think everyone in world and throughout history uses foreign countries as a stand-in to make an argument. I remember reading an article about about some Roman writer - Tacitus? I don't remember who - who was describing the German tribes. The article though questioned just how much we could really learn about those people from the Roman writer because it seemed like they were just using the Germans as - like you say - a crutch to make an argument about how Romans should be. The Germans respect their parents. They serve in the military. they're brave and loyal. They're not merchants - etc. etc. And heck, it's an effective argument - this isn't just what I think, look with your own eyes at those people who aren't us that do this thing so well. Sometimes it's ever true. :-)
- systemvoltage 4y ago
  You’re right. Let’s be better, especially people that are enamored irrationally with the EU (or country X's policies) without arguing the underlying rational and objectivity.

hackeraccount 4y ago

I don't think that's just America. I think everyone in world and throughout history uses foreign countries as a stand-in to make an argument. I remember reading an article about about some Roman writer - Tacitus? I don't remember who - who was describing the German tribes. The article though questioned just how much we could really learn about those people from the Roman writer because it seemed like they were just using the Germans as - like you say - a crutch to make an argument about how Romans should be. The Germans respect their parents. They serve in the military. they're brave and loyal. They're not merchants - etc. etc. And heck, it's an effective argument - this isn't just what I think, look with your own eyes at those people who aren't us that do this thing so well. Sometimes it's ever true. :-)

systemvoltage 4y ago
You’re right. Let’s be better, especially people that are enamored irrationally with the EU (or country X's policies) without arguing the underlying rational and objectivity.