Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Greek to Me

The intellectual incoherence of people like Roger Cohen of the NY Times never ceases to amaze me. In today's column, he writes with poignancy about Greece's current fiscal woes, reporting as well the apparent reluctance to come to its rescue of the more financially sound countries of the European Union, concluding with the lament that it does indeed seem that "the integrative dream has faded."

He drags the U.S. into this sad tale by comparing the current troubles of the European Union with those faced by America at its founding. The savior of America at the time was Alexander Hamilton and one senses Cohen wondering whether or not even now some similar rough beast slouches toward Brussels to be born. But, in fairness, he does concede, albeit with regret, that the distinctions between us are large. The final line is the most telling. "The differences between America and Europe go beyond the political to their very nature."

They do? How nice of him to notice. Ahh, but then that story is only for today, isn't it? Yesterday we read a different story. Yesterday's tale was the one about how we simply must embrace European-style, single payer, socialized medicine. No matter what! Or else!

Relax, we'll see that one again tomorrow.

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