Hollywood liberals who wanted America to be like Europe are mortified that Obama is making America like Europe (Wizbang)

Thanks to Ed Morrissey for making this last night's quote of the day, otherwise I would not have read it, and it's an interesting piece to say the least.

Remember all those Hollywood types who said mean and capitalistic America should be more like cultured and fair Europe? Well, now that these Hollywood types have Obama, their dream candidate, as America's president, they're panicking. Why?

Because they've come to realize that Obama actually is making America more like Europe, and they don't like it. They know Europe is a continent filled with nations in decline because of their massive social programs that are running their budgets deep into the red in spite of very high taxes. Apparently, these folks liked the idea of America adopting the European policies of redistribution of wealth in theory, but when those policies are put into practice, well, that's an entirely different story (emphasis mine):

"If you're asking if the United States is about to become a socialist state, I'd say it's actually about to become a European state, with the expansiveness of the welfare system and the progressive tax system like what we've already experienced in Western Europe," Harvard business and history professor Niall Ferguson declared during Monday's kickoff session, offering a withering critique of Obama's economic policies, which he claimed were encouraging laziness.
"The curse of longterm unemployment is that if you pay people to do nothing, they'll find themselves doing nothing for very long periods of time," Ferguson said. "Long-term unemployment is at an all-time high in the United States, and it is a direct consequence of a misconceived public policy."

Ferguson was joined in his harsh attack by billionaire real estate mogul and New York Daily News owner Mort Zuckerman. Both lambasted Obama's trillion-dollar deficit spending program--in the name of economic stimulus to cushion the impact of the 2008 financial meltdown--as fiscally ruinous, potentially turning America into a second-rate power.

"We are, without question, in a period of decline, particularly in the business world," Zuckerman said. "The real problem we have...are some of the worst economic policies in place today that, in my judgment, go directly against the long-term interests of this country."

Zuckerman added that he detects in the Obama White House "hostility to the very kinds of [business] culture that have made this the great country that it is and was. I think we have to find some way of dealing with that or else we will do great damage to this country with a public policy that could ruin everything."

Ferguson added: "The critical point is if your policy says you're going run a trillion-dollar deficit for the rest of time, you're riding for a fall...Then it really is goodbye." A dashing Brit, Ferguson added: "Can I say that, having grown up in a declining empire, I do not recommend it. It's just not a lot of fun actually--decline."

Ferguson called for what he called "radical" measures. "I can't emphasize strongly enough the need for radical fiscal reform to restore the incentives for work and remove the incentives for idleness." He praised "really radical reform of the sort that, for example, Paul Ryan [the ranking Republican on the House Budget Committee] has outlined in his wonderful 'Roadmap' for radical, root-and-branch reform not only of the tax system but of the entitlement system" and "unleash entrepreneurial innovation." Otherwise, Ferguson warned: "Do you want to be a kind of implicit part of the European Union? I'd advise you against it."

This was greeted by hearty applause from a crowd that included Barbra Streisand and her husband James Brolin. "Depressing, but fantastic," Streisand told me afterward, rendering her verdict on the session. "So exciting. Wonderful!"

Brolin's assessment: "Mind-blowing."

I find it particularly interesting that Niall Ferguson called Paul Ryan's ideas in his Roadmap for America's Future "radical" when they are basically what economic and fiscal conservatives and libertarians have promoted for years: low taxes and reduced government regulations and intrusion so as to unleash American ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit. These ideas may be radical to Mr. Ferguson and his Hollywood friends because they have occupied their efforts over the past few decades with promoting the very policies that have brought us to the very place we are now that scares them so much.

Now that Barack Obama is working to reduce America's position of power in the world, Hollywood's elite are suddenly a wee bit uncomfortable with the idea. Perhaps it is because they are beginning to understand that if America isn't in the world's most powerful and prosperous nation, then another nation will naturally come forward to take our place, and the only other nations capable of holding that position are China and Russia, neither of which values or promotes freedom and liberty.

Credits

Section Editor: Maggie Whitton

Editors: Jay Tea, Lorie Byrd, Kim Priestap, DJ Drummond, Michael Laprarie, Baron Von Ottomatic, Shawn Mallow, Rick, Dan Karipides, Michael Avitablile, Charlie Quidnunc, Steve Schippert

Emeritus: Paul, Mary Katherine Ham, Jim Addison, Alexander K. McClure, Cassy Fiano, Bill Jempty, John Stansbury, Rob Port

In Memorium: HughS

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Comments (37)

Looks like the libs are wak... (Below threshold)

1. Posted by GarandFan | July 8, 2010 1:57 PM | Score: 14 (14 votes cast)

GarandFan:

Looks like the libs are waking up to the fact that they won't have a choice as to how much money they'll willingly give up for utopia. Seems Barry's system will TELL THEM how much.

No one screams louder than a limousine liberal when they've just been punked.

Posted on July 8, 2010 13:57

I'm sure Lee Ward, Bullshit... (Below threshold)

2. Posted by GarandFan | July 8, 2010 2:04 PM | Score: 10 (10 votes cast)

I'm sure Lee Ward, Bullshit Artist, has a reason all these liberals have their panties all tied up in knots.

Probably all a bunch of Racist Tea Baggers!
Right, Lee?

Posted on July 8, 2010 14:04

They want to have all of th... (Below threshold)

3. Posted by Stan | July 8, 2010 2:14 PM | Score: 10 (10 votes cast)

Stan:

They want to have all of the people that live in "Fly Over Country" pay out their nose in and support their communist dreams. Now that "Walks On Water" is digging into their pockets, the shoe is on the other foot and they howl like a wounded pipe organ.

Posted on July 8, 2010 14:14

Oh Hell are these people ar... (Below threshold)

4. Posted by DaveD | July 8, 2010 2:15 PM | Score: 12 (12 votes cast)

DaveD:

Oh Hell are these people are so freaking dim. The only reason their stupid progressive utopia worked up to this point was because its idiocy was always restrained by a relatively competitive oppostion. Now that there is a leftist radical occupying both the White House and the Speaker's chair, a supermajority of Democrats and a somewhat impotent opposition liberalism is finally been unmasked for the disaster it is. The liberal dream is only viable when supported by an vibrant economy that can afford the luxury of its insanity. It's never going to make a bad economy better.

Posted on July 8, 2010 14:15

The problem with socialism ... (Below threshold)

5. Posted by hcddbz | July 8, 2010 2:24 PM | Score: 10 (10 votes cast)

hcddbz:

The problem with socialism is eventually you run out of other people's money
MT

Posted on July 8, 2010 14:24

I'd always thought the left... (Below threshold)

6. Posted by P. Bunyan | July 8, 2010 3:13 PM | Score: 11 (11 votes cast)

P. Bunyan:

I'd always thought the leftists really wanted a more communist-like government, like we have with the Obama/Reid/Pelosi regime, and just pretended to somewhat support American ideals at times, but after reading Fuguson & Zuckerman's comments I'm starting to think that maybe they really are just stupid.

Posted on July 8, 2010 15:13

The actors, entertainers et... (Below threshold)

7. Posted by mag | July 8, 2010 3:21 PM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)

mag:

The actors, entertainers etc. in this country are the biggest capitalist there are. Don't let them fool you. The make outrageous money, built outstanding homes, and investment their money as well. Some foolish ones do blow it all partying and shoving it up their noses, but most are pretty damn wealthy...and they don't want to change that. So in their hearts they know America is the beautiful...but they put on the act of liberalism (because most of them are totally amoral so it falls in line for them to act in every way like liberals) but deep down inside when it comes to money...they are sooooo conversative.

Posted on July 8, 2010 15:21

They supported Barack Obam... (Below threshold)

8. Posted by _Mike_ | July 8, 2010 3:41 PM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)

_Mike_:

They supported Barack Obama before there was a black man in the White House.

Posted on July 8, 2010 15:41

... (Below threshold)

9. Posted by irongrampa | July 8, 2010 3:43 PM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)

irongrampa:

Remember November.

Posted on July 8, 2010 15:43

I thought these jac asses w... (Below threshold)

10. Posted by 914 | July 8, 2010 4:28 PM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)

914:

I thought these jac asses were leavin if BBBBBBBBBBBOOOOSHHHHHHHHH got reelected???

Since they are still here I will assume they much like Baerry are full of SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTT!!!!!!

Posted on July 8, 2010 16:28

Guess the financial wizards... (Below threshold)

11. Posted by GarandFan | July 8, 2010 4:31 PM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)

Guess the financial wizards for the Hollyweed types are telling them that all their investments are tanking and that they're not worth the money they think they are.

Posted on July 8, 2010 16:31

"and the only other nati... (Below threshold)

12. Posted by 914 | July 8, 2010 4:41 PM | Score: 8 (8 votes cast)

"and the only other nations capable of holding that position are China and Russia, neither of which values or promotes freedom and liberty."

Barrys role models are laughing all the way to Chavez'z bank.

Posted on July 8, 2010 16:41

A fool and his money are so... (Below threshold)

13. Posted by 914 | July 8, 2010 5:21 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)

A fool and his money are soon parted? So what are the liberal intelligensia all up in arms about?

Barry and dem control are out in November and regardless of your defamation of Amerrikka, we still will tolerate you dems. Even you Lee Harvey Ward of the U.S.S.R.

Posted on July 8, 2010 17:21

Wait until the elite see th... (Below threshold)

14. Posted by John S | July 8, 2010 5:24 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)

John S:

Wait until the elite see their 2011 tax bills... Perhaps they'll do the smart thing and leave the U.S. forever.

Posted on July 8, 2010 17:24

Wait until the eli... (Below threshold)

15. Posted by Jay Guevara | July 8, 2010 6:48 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)

Jay Guevara:

Ah, John, but the US is the only country in the world that taxes by citizenship, not residency. (I lived in Europe for many years, and had to file tax returns in both countries.) In fact, IIRC, it's difficult even to renounce citizenship if the Feds think you're doing so to avoid taxation.

So these Hollywood libs can run, but they can't hide from those hanging-ass taxes they voted for.

Finally, some cheering news, huh?

Posted on July 8, 2010 18:48

I read the Daily Beast piec... (Below threshold)

16. Posted by Bruce Henry | July 8, 2010 6:59 PM | Score: -14 (18 votes cast)

Bruce Henry:

I read the Daily Beast piece this excerpt comes from, and looked up both Ferguson and Zuckerman.

I'm trying to find some more "Hollywood types" that were in attendance. The only two I see are Mr and Mrs Barbara Streisand. (Whose clipped quotes remind me of movie blurbs - the critic says "This movie was a fantastic bore," and the blurb says "...fantastic!")

Ferguson is a pretty radically conservative history professor, and Zuckerman is a well-known fervent Zionist and wheeeler-dealer who accompanied George Freaking Bush to the Middle East when Bush was still President. Arianna Huffington was obviously quoted out of context - or do you think Arianna suddenly turned supply-sider on us? Some guy named Splinter rounds out the quoted individuals.

So where are the other "Hollywood types" at this conference? How come THEY'RE not being quoted as suddenly seeing the Libertarian Light?

I think this article is being chortled over here because of the deep conservative need to grumble, "That egghead thinks he's so smart! He ain't no smarter than me!" Deluded and pathetic.

Posted on July 8, 2010 18:59

Bruce"So where are... (Below threshold)

17. Posted by retired military | July 8, 2010 7:22 PM | Score: 4 (6 votes cast)

retired military:

Bruce

"So where are the other "Hollywood types" at this conference? How come THEY'RE not being quoted as suddenly seeing the Libertarian Light?"

I ask myself a similar question every time the MSM trots out a "conservative" who agrees with Obama and then gives no opposing views.

Posted on July 8, 2010 19:22

Examples, RM?... (Below threshold)

18. Posted by Bruce Henry | July 8, 2010 7:25 PM | Score: -8 (10 votes cast)

Examples, RM?

Posted on July 8, 2010 19:25

Bruce, we have all learned ... (Below threshold)

19. Posted by WildWillie | July 8, 2010 7:31 PM | Score: 4 (6 votes cast)

WildWillie:

Bruce, we have all learned from you the great trick of constantly moving the goal posts everytime you ask a question and get an answer. You have a problem comprehending posts and understanding topics. All that aside, you really are an anti-semite besides an ardent Bush hater. Too adoring qualities of the liberals crowd. ww

Posted on July 8, 2010 19:31

Ooooh, Comrade Henry is bac... (Below threshold)

20. Posted by Jay Guevara | July 8, 2010 7:32 PM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)

Ooooh, Comrade Henry is back. A proletarian's day is never done, eh?

The only two I see are Mr and Mrs Barbara Streisand.

That should be "Barbra and Mrs. Streisand."

Posted on July 8, 2010 19:32

Many people who see themsel... (Below threshold)

21. Posted by KenD | July 8, 2010 8:06 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)

KenD:

Many people who see themselves as Hollywood's elite will get economic religion quickly when actually faced with the wealth eroding policies of the Obama administration.

Posted on July 8, 2010 20:06

Actually, Guevara, some of ... (Below threshold)

22. Posted by Bruce Henry | July 8, 2010 8:14 PM | Score: -8 (10 votes cast)

Actually, Guevara, some of these are jokes. Snarking on Brolin. Get it?

So what was the answer I got, Willie? The other "Hollywood liberals" besides Mr and Mrs James Brolin? Who were they again?

Posted on July 8, 2010 20:14

Do you suppose Barbra mount... (Below threshold)

23. Posted by Jay Guevara | July 8, 2010 8:34 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)

Do you suppose Barbra mounts Mrs. Streisand? In between scaring the crap out of anthills she passes by?

Posted on July 8, 2010 20:34

Bruce"Examples, RM... (Below threshold)

24. Posted by retired military | July 8, 2010 8:40 PM | Score: 2 (4 votes cast)

"Examples, RM?"

Come on guy, GIve me a break will you. Been a rough couple of weeks. Putting up a 8X 12 storage shed all by myself from scratch.

Let me think here.

How about when they trot out Snowe or Collins to talk about bipartisianship and they were the only 1 or 2 who voted for it.

How about when they trot out folks like Jumpin Jim Jeffords and talk about his courage, his individualism, his independence, his values and courage of his convictions when he switched from Republican to Ind and gave control of Congress to the dems. Of course when you have Lieberman speak out in favor of the Iraq war he gets castigated, castrated, and run out of the party.

How about the token republicans they find that agrees with Obama in a news story and say "Here we have republican so and so " who then procedes to agree with the policy and then show no dems disagreing with it or republicans disagreeing with it for that matter either.

Posted on July 8, 2010 20:40

Retired military, don't bot... (Below threshold)

25. Posted by Jay Guevara | July 8, 2010 8:50 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)

Retired military, don't bother responding to this clown. In another thread after two days (!) he finally admitted to being a Communist. That tells you all you need to know.

Posted on July 8, 2010 20:50

I thought Jeffords was dead... (Below threshold)

26. Posted by Bruce Henry | July 8, 2010 8:50 PM | Score: -9 (11 votes cast)

I thought Jeffords was dead. I haven't seen hide nor hair of him since 2002. Have you?

Insufferable quisling "Holy" Joe Lieberman still caucuses with the Democrats.

John McCain and Lindsey Graham, along with Boehner and McConnell, are on the Sunday news shows EVERY WEEK. When was the last time you saw Snowe or Collins on This Week With George Stephanopoulos' Hair?

But, aside from that, good point.

Two Streisand stories:... (Below threshold)

27. Posted by Jay Guevara | July 8, 2010 8:59 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)

Two Streisand stories:

1. She sued a photographer for $50 million in an attempt to have the aerial photograph of her mansion removed from the publicly available collection of the photos of the California coastline. Mustn't let the plebs even see her majesty's digs.

2. On a stay in a hotel, she forbade hotel staff to look her in the eye (some might argue that that was a humanitarian gesture on her part).

This is the poseur speaking for the downtrodden - as long as they keep the eff away from her.

Posted on July 8, 2010 20:59

Bruce, how about you just s... (Below threshold)

28. Posted by Jay Guevara | July 8, 2010 9:01 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)

Bruce, how about you just save yourself some trouble and link directly to the CPUSA site?

I know you're not American, but let's maintain the pretense for now.

Posted on July 8, 2010 21:01

From the other thread, wher... (Below threshold)

29. Posted by Jay Guevara | July 8, 2010 10:03 PM | Score: 2 (4 votes cast)

From the other thread, where Flea got KO'ed:

Sarah Palin let one of her cubs get humped and made pregnant. She's set a perfect example.... of what not to do.

You mean like Stanley Ann Dunham got humped and made pregnant?

Posted on July 8, 2010 22:03

Thought you were going to s... (Below threshold)

30. Posted by Jay Guevara | July 8, 2010 10:10 PM | Score: 1 (3 votes cast)

Thought you were going to successfully skulk away, like a cocoroach (are we still allowed to say that?), didn't you, Flea?

Posted on July 8, 2010 22:10

Make that "cockroach." But ... (Below threshold)

31. Posted by Jay Guevara | July 8, 2010 10:28 PM | Score: -1 (1 votes cast)

Make that "cockroach." But you knew that.

Posted on July 8, 2010 22:28

Should we take that embarra... (Below threshold)

32. Posted by Jay Guevara | July 8, 2010 11:55 PM | Score: -1 (1 votes cast)

Should we take that embarrassed silence from Flea as acknowledgement of abysmal defeat?

Posted on July 8, 2010 23:55

I would be LMAO at this gro... (Below threshold)

33. Posted by Maddox | July 8, 2010 11:59 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)

Maddox:

I would be LMAO at this group of socialist activists if the entire country wasn't suffering, in part, because of their self indulgent preaching of the imaginary utopia promised by liberalism.

Posted on July 8, 2010 23:59

"only other nations capable... (Below threshold)

34. Posted by Scrapiron | July 9, 2010 1:34 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)

Scrapiron:

"only other nations capable of holding that position are China and Russia, neither of which values or promotes freedom and liberty."
And either of these countries would inprison or execute 95% of the holy-wood wonks.

Posted on July 9, 2010 01:34

"You mean like Stanley Ann ... (Below threshold)

35. Posted by Scrapiron | July 9, 2010 1:40 AM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)

"You mean like Stanley Ann Dunham got humped and made pregnant?"
Jay: Explain to the liberals that Stanley Ann was O'Dumbo's mother and she would hump any enemy of America who could get it up.

Posted on July 9, 2010 01:40

"You mean like Stanley A... (Below threshold)

36. Posted by John S | July 9, 2010 9:06 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)

"You mean like Stanley Ann Dunham got humped and made pregnant?"

A fucking shame she wasn't prochoice.

Posted on July 9, 2010 09:06

Stanley Ann Dunham.....emm.... (Below threshold)

37. Posted by whodababiedaddie | July 9, 2010 10:05 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

whodababiedaddie:

Stanley Ann Dunham.....emm..emm...emmmm!!

Posted on July 9, 2010 10:05

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