Musings from the Chiefio

How Europe now looks to an American

Sad to say, I realized it was pity.

Fifty Years Ago, I saw it as a culturally rich place, cradle of civilization, rich in languages, foods, and peoples. The place where Common Law and Roman Law started the whole march to modernity and Rule Of Law.

Yes, we’d had to go over and help end 2 World Wars. Yes, Europe was also the origin point of Global Colonialism, and seemed to be unwilling to go without wars every so often; but that had been put aside in the decades after W.W.II and even The French were doing a bit nicer dealing with the African Nations that had left their “protection”…

At that time, I wanted to pick up a second citizenship (either in the UK or EU – but then they were combined).

Slowly, over the years, that desire has been pared back, then ended. Oddly, also during that time, my ability to GET a UK citizenship (or ought I say “subject-ship”?) had improved. The UK prior had only allowed the Father to pass on qualification for a passport, but they eventually changed the law to allow it to pass down the Mother’s side as well. So I could essentially just walk into the British Embassy, present the needed papers, and get a UK Passport.

But now? Now I would not want to have one at all. WHY would I want to make myself “subject” to the various tyrannies of the UK Government? Invasion of privacy (“chat control”). Arrest for stating any uncomfortable truth (such as “Islam is not compatible with western Women’s Rights” and “gay acceptance”). Extraordinarily high taxes, and ever lower quality of life. Cultural dilution and decay. Heck, even prohibition on using Air Conditioning to improve the quality (and perhaps in some cases the quantity…) of life? Just nuts.

At that time, the spouse did pick up an EU citizenship in another (ancestral) country. In theory I could also get the same citizenship in a Republic. But the EU is hardly better. Largely run by an un-elected minor tyranny. Enacting all sorts of crazy laws and rules. Undergoing the same cultural dilution, decay, and potentially extinction. In complete economic decline headed for collapse as Germany (who funded the EU debtor States membership) has rushed into debt too, while cutting off THE foundational need for industry – cheap power. Essentially the destruction of EU Economic Competitiveness is in full swing. Then tourism? WHY would I want to pay 2 or 3 times as much for every meal, hotel, and transport just to be in Paris In Riot or London In Jail (for saying the wrong thing) or visiting poverty stricken southern and eastern Europe?

There is little “vital” left to attract me. I can get just as good, or better, Italian & French food here in American restaurants. I can have just as good, or better, hotels and beach time in Florida or the Caribbean. South America has similar attractions at far lower cost.

Then there is the European Lust For War. Even as they drive their economies into ruin, €Billions & £Billions are being flushed down the “Ukrainian Male Extermination Army” shit hole. Mertz wants Germany to directly invade Russia by 2030 (like that worked out so well the last 2 or 3 times…) and the French are talking up the same thing. In the UK, Starmer got tossed for similar sentiments, but yet the desire is still there even if the means is entirely lacking. An astounding example of fantasy ignoring reality and facts on the ground (and in the air and floating on the sea and in space…)

Why would I want to go just a few hundred miles away from what might be the front line of W.W.III at any moment?

Then there is just that minor question of “With what soldiers?”. Italy is mostly over 65 headed for 70. Germany & Britain are not far behind (other than the hoard of Young Muslim Men who I’m sure would be thrilled at the idea of going to war to die for The Infidel… /snark;)

Even places like Sweden, Finland, and the Baltics have made themselves potential targets while destroying their economic attractiveness. Though I do have to admit I have a small (very small…) interest in seeing Greece, and perhaps the Islands of the Mediterranean. If Only I could be sure prices were acceptable, A/C was still allowed, and I’d not have to worry about accidentally ending up in a “Sharia Neighborhood” or being arrested for Wrong Think (or worse, being impressed into the Ukraine Defense Foreign Legion… /sark; a little bit…

Sidebar On Africa

I no longer have any interest in Africa either. As the top of it is part of the Muslim World (that mostly wants me dead or converted) and the middle has lots of wars against that encroaching Islam; all while the rest is either wallowing in poverty, or, like South Africa & Zimbabwe, having their own jihad against White Males – making me un-welcome… I’m just left with no interest in it anymore.

In Conclusion

I find myself being driven to mild pity for Europe, and having ever increasing negative motivations to visit or take a vacation there. In the early 80’s I visited England, Italy, Germany, France and Switzerland; and loved it. Now I’m pretty sure that is best kept as a fond memory of what once was, rather than confirming the loss of it with another visit.

I think my next travels will be to Central & South America. I’ve covered ALL of North America over the years (finishing it with the run to Alaska). I’ve been to Australia and New Zealand (before they, too, went nutty lefty). Europe I mentioned above. Plus I’ve spent a couple of weeks in Japan (and Pacific Islands to get there…). I have no interest in China (having plenty of China Towns here in the USA for food and ambiance without the Communism) nor middle and south Asia with their crowds & risks. But there’s that big experience empty zone to the south of me ;-) Plus I speak passable Spanish as a tourist…

So I think that’s where my Tourist Money will go next.

I do hope Europe gets its act together, returns to Democratic republics, walks away from wars, and learns to celebrate their many ancient cultures once again.

Though at this point I don’t see any reasonable way to recover their economies. Too much debt rising too rapidly and without sufficient productive base to carry it (never mind reverse it). Way too far on the wrong side of the Laffer Curve yet still raising tax rates while generating ever less tax revenue. Exactly what happens when past the point of peak revenue rates, and where lowering rates would generate more revenue. (NOT a hypothetical. John F. Kennedy did exactly that in the early ’60s. Yes, a Democrat President cut tax rates and got increased revenue.)

I do wish Europe were improving; but unfortunately it looks to be in a very slow decades long doom loop. While there are some encouraging noises made (about things like Brexit, AFD, Le Pen, etc.); so far it is mostly just noise and “handled” by the European Powers That Be clutching their pearls while they neuter the opposition.

At this point, I’m pretty well certain that my travel life, and perhaps life in total, will be ended long before Europe could recover to former attractiveness – even if it were trying to do so. Oh Well.