Okay, maybe not. But the three countries I've been in so far, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Belgium, all have the feeling of societies that function outside the hysteria of the politics of America. Also, the ordinary citizens I meet hold enhanced political views -- enhanced by knowledge -- and they know generally how and why their cultures, political and otherwise, work. They're generally satisfied, perhaps except for the Italian I met, who was depressed by his own country's political life. I don't blame him.
From Europe, I look back, and our political dysfunction is laughable. And that's what the Europeans do, laugh, especially at Republican antics. Here's the latest example, as explained by Paul Krugman. What he says, unfortunately, is all too true.
I'm in Ghent, Belgium, headed to France and then Spain and Portugal. I'd better go sightsee for an hour or two before I have to head out. But I thought I'd better report, before you forgot me. I'll send you more news when I can. In the meantime, I'll reflect on how societies, like here in western Europe, can be responsive to the people's needs. It's not perfect, but it's at least socialist. And that's a start.
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