Readers Respond to Criticism of Obama: 'Remaking the US into Europe Would Be a Disaster'

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Dear Spiegel Online

What is the philosophical basis of the argument proposed by this writer? Is it that we Americans should continue to resort to an economic system based on the survival of the fittest as happens in the animal kingdom? His recommendation will accelerate the disorder of the human psyche and lead to a continued decline in civilized society. Why did the writer choose to ignore statistics that reflect on other aspects of the quality of life in America? For example, divorce, drug addiction, violent crime, and mental illness? All economics should have a sound and rational philosophical basis. This writer's economics does not.

--Jorge Villamil, Coral Gables, USA

Excellent article. This was a very quick explanation of the American mindset, history, and values. It weaved a nice balance between being succinct and not oversimplifying complicated issues. I am recommending it to my friends in Europe.

--Andrew Hodny, USA

The reasoning in the article is flawed because the author has begun with inaccurate premises. He has mistaken the myths and fairy tales with which Americans console themselves, with the truth. The notion that Americans are individualistic or that they especially value freedom is a comforting delusion. They, like most people, place comfort above freedom and prefer not standing out from the group, to individualism. The conditions of industrial society impose the same constraints on all of us, regardless of race or nationality.

Ronald Reagan gave voice to what may be regarded as compensatory rhetoric. He was after all, an actor. He flattered us. That was his assignment, and he was good at it. Meanwhile, the truly wealthy pull all the strings. Remember this fact; America has a larger disparity in wealth and income than virtually any other First World country. Fables of freedom provide solace to the less fortunate. They hope that they too may become rich and famous, and blame their failure to live up to their own aspirations on those less fortunate than themselves.

--Don Larsen, USA

Dear Spiegel Online,

It was Bush who failed to uphold traditional American values and self-reliance when he bailed out the banks, including Goldman Sachs, which is not really a bank at all, but got the bailout money by calling itself a bank holding company. If the Republicans believed in free market forces, they would have let all of them sink. But since they didn't and they are all now raking in tons of money, it would be preposterous to tell the rest of the country to sink or swim. That would be socialism for the rich and capitalism for the poor.

Obama is saving capitalism from itself. Without the deficits, America would now be in a deep depression, according to numerous free-market economists. That would have produced serious social unrest at a time when the world could least afford to have America sink. If it sank, both China and Europe would have sunk.

Bailing out the big auto companies was also socialism for the rich. But without it, thousands of jobs would have been lost. No, all of this was sadly necessary. To blame Obama for being "too European" would be farcical were it not so pathetic.

--Richard Cummings , NY , USA

Dear Spiegel Online,

"Small government" is by no means a "traditional American virtue". It was the government which organized and directed the settling of the West and the building of the Transcontinental Railroad. State Department intercession on behalf of American companies in overseas dealings is commonplace today and no one questions it. In the 19th century, the Army was employed to break strikes. Abraham Lincoln's administration established the first land-grant universities, with the specific goal of promoting technical and agricultural research and education and diffusing this among the population.

The government has always been closely involved in our economy; it is just a question of whether it intervenes for the benefit of labor or capital.

--Michael N. Escobar, San Francisco , USA

Dear Spiegel Online,

I always thought that America becoming more like Europe was what the Europeans wanted. Another case of be careful what you wish for.

--Adrienne Kendrick

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• Part 1: 'Remaking the US into Europe Would Be a Disaster'
• Part 2: 'The John Wayne Image of the Lone Frontiersman Is Just an Image'
• Part 3: 'Attempting to Remake Ourselves into Europe Would Be a Disaster'
• Part 4: 'Socialism for the Rich and Capitalism for the Poor'