European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 23, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse Europe s system looks so solid but it s not Anthony Thompson it s so quiet and peaceful Here. Germany is so clean. It s such a great country. I hear a lot of these statements from retirees service Mem ers and department of defense civilian pm. Floyces Over Here. With All due respect to Europe s fantastic gains in the Post world War ii Era and beyond some Light needs to be cast on the aging Creaky foundation of the new Europe. The main reason some americans almost give up Hope on their country is xenophobia. Some people arc scared of the current population trends stateside. And the current anti immigration rhetoric of goes. Lawton Chiles and Pete Wilson of Florida and Cali fornia respectively Cloud the picture even More. Opening laugh cousins London England 0 1994, cartoonists & Harris Usa "1 tried it but the blood rushed to my judging by what the polls say of american attitudes toward people of color immigration and the resulting influence on our Polilli Cal leadership it seems As if some think the grass is Greener on this Side of the Atlantic. But it s not. It should be apparent that America s diversity is its strength and resilience. Europe has Many problems. Apparently it docs not have the resiliency to fix itself. Look at the statistics while the . Economy has grown 3 percent the last two years the economic growth rate of european Union nations was almost nonexistent during that time. Europe s economic growth May be 2.5 to 3 percent this year. European unemployment is near 12 percent 7.9 percent in Germany alone while it s under 7 percent stateside. In fact 1.3 million jobs were created in the United states Between 1992 arid 1993. Payroll taxes in Europe which finance some of the most generous so Cial welfare programs in the world Are 30 to 50 per cent of wages. Americans should be glad the average is 19.3 percent. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Remember the postwar economic Boom in Europe that helped finance All of this the Boorn was borne on the backs of thousands of Caribbean turkish greek and ital Ian labourers among others who helped keep Europe going. Apparently they did such a Good Job that european economies have Low numbers of indigenous workers because of Low birthrates. In being afraid of the unknown some europeans Are blaming immigrants and the failure of their governments to see the problems coming. Nothing has been done about it though unless you count tax in creases As innovative solutions. If you be been stationed in Germany since 1992 or earlier you Proba Bly know the value added tax has been increased. The French a 6-Pcrcent surtax on incomes since opinion polls showed the1 French favored More taxes to keep their benefits. Poor souls some americans act As if our diversity is a liability. Consider this. A John Hopkins University study found three fourths of the Young immigrants surveyed Hope to get a College or graduate degree the depth and diversity of the american Popula Tion helps ensure its Success. Seme people would rather we live in a Basket Case welfare state fighting inevitable change toward austerity. Yes there Are fantastic benefits to being a european citizen but the Price is enormous. Would you want to pay that Price for the rest of your life. Americans have made a Choice through our government to do for ourselves Only asking for Regula Tion assistance or intervention when it s really needed let s keep it that Way. / Anthon Thompson works in Lari Stuhl Germany. Send in your column plus photo of yourself to be our guest sunday Magazine the stars and stripes Apo a 09211 or Postrach 11 14 37, d-64278 Darmstadt Germany. If mailing disk save text in Asci and include printout. Columns Are edited for clarity and length. Contents Rick decs weekly top"40 replaces Shadoe Stevens americantop40 on an radio. Page 16. Abc from the cover desert Boom. Sidelights. Television and Iraq. The writing of Ryszard Kapuscinski. . Odds & ends. Miss manners cuts through a hairy situation 4-5 6-9 in tune. . This Veek s films. Military circuit Chuck a Lack snoozes through Little television listings. Local Cable Ami satellite schedules. Home entertainment. . Works out. Another look at Lucy and monsters. I voices. Jesse Tickson s push. Linda kill Row is on Clinton Ide. .-10. .11 12-13 14-17 20-21 sol turns 20 22-23 the show tries to stay hot. Words wit. 24 James Kilpatrick opens another simile contest. Books 25 Stephen King s insomnia 1 will keep you up. Sidelights. 26 the Art of diplomacy. On Parade ,. 27 Brad Pitt s act. Last laugh 28. Dave Barry elects to find issues. Sunday is a weekly supplement of the stars and stripes editor Bucky Fox cover Story design Susan Harris production it inter Schroder editorial assistance Louis d. Pierce Page 2sunday october 23, 1994
