And I understand very clearly what kind of mentality prevails in today's America. In all honestly, I am not very optimistic about the people's common sense here. In Europe we don't have yet such ugly and soulless shopping malls, located on outskirts of cities, with huge parking lots around, like here. People go downtown for shopping, for entertainment, and for social life. So, city centers in Europe are full of life all day long and even at night.
People can stroll on a vast network of pedestrian streets, lined with a variety of stores and cafes.
What is most important is that many people use public transport instead of driving to get there from the suburbs. People haven't yet become a slaves of the automobile like Americans. That, in my opinion, is the most important factor in why the quality of life in Europe is still much better than here in the United States. The use of the automobile is the major difference. People here must first of all change their car oriented behavior and their mentality in order to have a better life, and to make America a livable place again.