Little Dutchman bouncy

[dutch508]

Star Member Mr. Ected (2,467 posts) http://www.democraticunderground.com/10028810457

My family and I are in Holland on a visit

Last night we ate dinner at a local Indian restaurant. A Dutchman and his wife sat at the next table. Small talk ensued and, once it was determined that we were Americans, he asked us the question seemingly on every European's mind these days: "What do you think of Trump?" When my family, in unison, said that he was a blight on everything the USA stands for, he applauded and added that everyone he knows wonders how we blundered into a Trump presidency.

In a nutshell, I explained that, unlike the Dutch, some Americans wish to interpret our Constitution as enabling individual freedoms and liberties, but not societal freedoms and liberties. Whereas the Dutch may have realized long ago that "united we stand, divided we fall", Americans are resistant to that ideal. It's a pity, because the deprivation of a safety net (due to cost) leads to far higher costs to society. The Dutchman pointed out that no one in Holland needs to fear the "bottom falling out", because programs exist to guarantee health care, housing, food, and basically all the essentials of life.

Why can't we look out for each other in the USA? Why do the so-called "patriots" insist that America is an "every man and woman for themselves" society when a compassionate government leads to happiness, pride and inclusion?

 

Forty percent of Moroccan immigrants in the Netherlands between the ages of 12 and 24 have been arrested, fined, charged or otherwise accused of committing a crime during the past five years, according to a new report commissioned by the Dutch Ministry of Interior.

In Dutch neighborhoods where the majority of residents are Moroccan immigrants, the youth crime rate reaches 50%. Moreover, juvenile delinquency among Moroccans is not limited to males; girls and young women are increasingly involved in criminal activities.

This- from a report in 2011.  https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/2624/moroccan-crime-netherlands

Star Member Mr. Ected (2,467 posts)
9. Yes, we were here on election day

Considering the gravity of the decisions that were being made that day, and the overwhelming turnout at the polls, you would never have known it. Life as usual in the Netherlands.

Our host had told us earlier that he didn't believe that the Dutch would opt for the far-right path, in spite of the fact that flames had been fanned. He said he had faith in his people to do the right thing. And he was proven correct.

I suspect that their coalition government would have dampened some of the impact, had Wilders carried the day. I also believe that America's experience with Trump was enough for many Dutch to pull their support from the PVV.

 

The Dutch. the bravest of the brave in Europe since 1327.

Star Member Cha (194,840 posts)
5. the paul slimey ryans and the creepy greedy vicious monster trumps

want to get free everything but they don't want to give a hand to those who make an honest living.

I'm so happy for the Dutch.. and very glad you and your Family are able to enjoy their country and hospitality, Mr. Ected

 "..when a compassionate government leads to happiness, pride and inclusion?"

We would have had that again with Hillary and they couldn't let that happen.

With 95 percent of votes counted, Mr Rutte's VVD Party won 33 of parliament's 150 seats, down from 41 at the last vote in 2012. Wilders was second with 20, the CDA and centrist Democrats 66 tied for third with 19 each, data provided by the ANP news agency showed.

The center right party won- but lost seats overall- Wilder's party came in second... up from the last election by quite a bit... and yet the leftist cheer this as some sort of huge victory.

it's not.

Mr Wilders had insisted that whatever the result of the election, the kind of populist politics he and others in Europe represent would not going away - a message he reiterated as the exit poll results had sunk in.

"Rutte has not seen the back of me!!" Wilders said in a Twitter message.

Mr Wilders may not have won but the 53-year-old had reason to trumpet his Freedom Party’s success as it boosted its number of MPs from the 12 seats it had in the outgoing parliament.

“We won seats. The first gains are made,” Mr Wilders said on Twitter.

 

Scarsdale (1,269 posts)
6. Education?

Most other countries value education. Their schools seem to be funded better. Could this be the answer? Universal healthcare should be implemented in this country. The politicians want the best - for themselves. We can help pay for that. When it comes to the rest of us - oh well.

the left has been in control of the education in this country for 40+ years... why is it getting worse?

lies (82 posts)
8. As a US expat

I can tell you that Europe is wildly unimpressed AND feels held hostage with Brexit and Trump.

This is actually causing a bit of EU/European pride to emerge, which is a new thing for me to see... and I've been here for almost 13 years.

Anyway, yes, total disaster for America, abroad, as people are really starting to think the US era is over... and are trying to figure out better alternatives, while not pissing off Trump and his gang on lunatics.

moondust (11,913 posts)
17. Melting pot vs. homogeneous populations.

The U.S. has never been one big "extended family" like the Euro countries were (before migration became common). From the beginning the U.S. has instead been largely about groups and individuals living within the same borders but pitted against and exploiting each other: slavery, Indian wars, groups of immigrants like the Irish, now Muslims, etc. Some politicians have exploited the differences to gain and hold power by continuing to pit groups and individuals against each other and exploiting people's fear, hatred, and superiority complexes rather than embracing the rich diversity; divide and conquer for profit and power. Liberté, égalité, fraternité? Forget it.

 

(Must be nice to be in Holland!  )

sharedvalues (60 posts)
24. IT'S THE MEDIA

Conservative media is why we have Trump.

Right-wing radio, Fox, NY Post, Breitbart, etc have been engaged in a disinformation campaign that doesn't exist on the left.

Those media outlets lie and change the way Americans think.
Please explain this to non-Americans. People in the UK often understand if you bring up Murdoch.

 

Star Member GulfCoast66 (1,652 posts)
27. Too many white Americans

Refuse to consider anyone of color their equal not to mention their fellow countrymen.

[SVPete]

Different people have different views, so I was willing to see this as plausible, until I read this indirect quote: "The Dutchman pointed out that no one in Holland  ...". Hello! The name of the nation is The Netherlands! Holland is most of the coastal area of The Netherlands, not the entire nation. So, as plausible as this is at first glance, I think it's a fiction set in a real trip to The Netherlands.

[Maverick1987]

Star Member Mr. Ected (2,467 posts) http://www.democraticunderground.com/10028810457

My family and I are in Holland on a visit

Last night we ate dinner at a local Indian restaurant. A Dutchman and his wife sat at the next table. Small talk ensued and, once it was determined that we were Americans, he asked us the question seemingly on every European's mind these days: "What do you think of Trump?" When my family, in unison, said that he was a blight on everything the USA stands for, he applauded and added that everyone he knows wonders how we blundered into a Trump presidency.

In a nutshell, I explained that, unlike the Dutch, some Americans wish to interpret our Constitution as enabling individual freedoms and liberties, but not societal freedoms and liberties. Whereas the Dutch may have realized long ago that "united we stand, divided we fall", Americans are resistant to that ideal. It's a pity, because the deprivation of a safety net (due to cost) leads to far higher costs to society. The Dutchman pointed out that no one in Holland needs to fear the "bottom falling out", because programs exist to guarantee health care, housing, food, and basically all the essentials of life.

Why can't we look out for each other in the USA? Why do the so-called "patriots" insist that America is an "every man and woman for themselves" society when a compassionate government leads to happiness, pride and inclusion?

Wow. Stupidest post ever.  And that is quite an achievement coming from those parts (DU)

[jukin]

Scarsdale (1,269 posts)
6. Education?

Most other countries value education. Their schools seem to be funded better. Could this be the answer? Universal healthcare should be implemented in this country. The politicians want the best - for themselves. We can help pay for that. When it comes to the rest of us - oh well.

We pay the most per student and get the worst academic results of any western country. This DUchebag proves that point.

[ChuckJ]

Well now both dutch and jukin have sort of bad mouthed our public education system, and I believe you have done so unjustly. While I agree that in the inconsequential areas such as reading, writing, mathematics, the sciences, and history our public school students are often behind even the undiscovered tribes in the Amazon rainforest; however, all of those subjects are just so much nonsense anyway. Who really cares if we are falling behind in such archaic things? On the other hand, if you look at the things that REALLY matter we are at or near the top of the heap. Our public school students are learning the really important things like just because you were born a male, have male DNA and have a male tallywacker that makes the DU males drool doesn't actually mean you're a male. It's how you feel that makes you what you are. If you feel like a female...WHAMMO!...you're a female. It works the same way with race. If you were born white, have two white parents and have "white" DNA it doesn't mean you're white. You could just wake up one day and decide you're black because of the way you feel and...WHAMMO!...you're black, and...wait a minute...I forgot about the white chick that "self identified" as black and headed up one of the NAACP branches. It didn't work out well for her...

....
........okay. Apparently, I guess, you can choose your gender but not your race. Or something like that. I suppose this is why public school students are so far behind in those musty old subjects. This new "important" stuff is just so complicated they don't have time to spend on the old stuff.

[thundley4]

Why can't we look out for each other in the USA? Why do the so-called "patriots" insist that America is an "every man and woman for themselves" society when a compassionate government leads to happiness, pride and inclusion?

I know of no one that insists on "every man and woman for themselves".

Conservatives believe in helping family, friends and people in the community.

We object to having money stolen from us and given to whomever the party in power deserves money without lifting a damn finger to help themselves.

Every study done has shown that conservatives donate a higher percentage of income to charities than liberals.

Liberals prefer to do charity work with OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY.

[freedumb2003b]

In a nutshell, I explained that, unlike the Dutch, some Americans wish to interpret our Constitution as enabling individual freedoms and liberties, but not societal freedoms and liberties.

Hard to call that the DUMBEST statement ever from a DUmmy, but it is in the top 10.

SOCIETIES do not have freedoms and liberties.  SOCIETIES are a conceptual construct and do not exist per se.  INDIVIDUALS have freedom and liberty.

But I will tell the DUmmy what -- I will have someone come by his house representing SOCIETY and remove his individual liberty for no reason (since he as an individual is not protected by the Constitution).  Wanna bet he will scream bloody murder about "his rights" being violated?

[FiddyBeowulf]

You could just wake up one day and decide you're black because of the way you feel and...WHAMMO!...you're black, and...wait a minute...I forgot about the white chick that "self identified" as black and headed up one of the NAACP branches. It didn't work out well for her...

....
........okay. Apparently, I guess, you can choose your gender but not your race.

Worked out great for Liz Warren though.   

[98ZJUSMC]

In a nutshell, I explained that, unlike the Dutch, some Americans wish to interpret our Constitution as enabling individual freedoms and liberties, but not societal freedoms and liberties.

Hard to call that the DUMBEST statement ever from a DUmmy, but it is in the top 10.

SOCIETIES do not have freedoms and liberties.  SOCIETIES are a conceptual construct and do not exist per se.  INDIVIDUALS have freedom and liberty.

But I will tell the DUmmy what -- I will have someone come by his house representing SOCIETY and remove his individual liberty for no reason (since he as an individual is not protected by the Constitution).  Wanna bet he will scream bloody murder about "his rights" being violated?

Yeow..... yeah, it's up there.   

Stupid, Concentrated, Ready-to-Spew, Type-II
Exp - 1960's