From: cdpert01@ulkyvx.louisville.edu
Newsgroups: alt.news-media,alt.politics.clinton
Subject: Europe (was Re: The Insane Rep. Dornan...)
Date: 14 Oct 92 12:44:14 GMT
Organization: University of Louisville

In article <1bgbdtINNpi1@agate.berkeley.edu>, lazarus@ocf.berkeley.edu (Andrew J. Lazarus) writes:
> In article <1992Oct12.162401.1@ulkyvx.louisville.edu> cdpert01@ulkyvx.louisville.edu writes:
>>
>>     I'm quite aware of the European education systems, I'm quite aware of
>>the European economic systems, I'm quite aware of the European health
>>care systems, I'm quite aware of European interest rates, I'm quite
>>aware of European unemployment rates -- all of these reinforce my 
>>feelings of great fortune for being a citizen of the U.S.
> 
> Someone pointed out that as a Rhodes Scholar Clinton probably didn't
> HAVE standard homework and exams, and in "refutation" we get [the above].
>
     It was not a refutation -- I have already discussed earlier
that Rhodes Scholar Clinton did not graduate.  The point I was
making is that Clinton/Gore want us to emulate Europe.  If *you*
really believe the European systems are better than ours, then
Clinton is your man.  *I* believe that we need to be more like
the America defined in the Constitution -- yes, it sounds 
ridiculous -- so I lean more toward either a Bush/Quayle or a
Marrou/Lord ticket.
  
> OK, I'll buy it on the unemployment. But why would you rather be a
> citizen of the US on health care? Infant mortality is like golf: the LOW
> score is good. We're somewhere worse than 20th. We also trail in life
> expectancy. It also seems to me that the European universities must be
> doing something right, since it is routine for European grad students in
> math to enter American doctoral programs at least one, usually two,
> years ahead in preparation compared to the American students.

     I'm sure you'll buy on interest rates also (during the latest
European currency "crisis" the overnight lending rate in Sweden
was raised to 400%; I think it's back down to about 50% to 75%
now).  
     Regarding infant mortality, I also believe it is a problem.
But, shouldn't we ask about the source of this problem?  Also, is the
Clinton plan the *only* way to reduce infant mortality?  
     I do not have any personal experience regarding European doctoral
candidates in math -- my formal math education ended after I got
a Master's degree.  But, one question does come to my mind: what
is the impetus for a European doctoral student to come to an
American university?  If we are discussing public elementary and primary
school education, I agree that a major overhaul is needed.

 [read the following while humming "America the Beautiful"  :-)]

     I do get frustrated hearing from some people that our economic
system is in shambles, and we need to be more like Europe.  I get
frustrated hearing from the multiculturalists that Western culture 
is evil, and we need to be more like Third World cultures.  I get
frustrated hearing from New Agers that Christianity and Judaism
are antiquated religions, while Eastern religions are more in
vogue because of their emphasis on unity.  Why am I frustrated?
Because we *had* (emphasis on past tense) a great system of 
economics, a great culture, great religions that have been 
diminished by such assaults.

 [end "America the Beautiful"  :-)]

     C. Perttunen      
Newsgroups: alt.news-media,alt.politics.clinton