Over there and over here

Giles Merritt is secretary general of Friends of Europe and editor of the policy journal Europe's World. Today, he writes about Europe's economic crisis:

"Europe's economies are in the doldrums, and no one seems to know how to revive them. For all the brave talk of new policies to promote industrial innovation, the malaise seems to be getting worse. Unemployment remains persistently high, especially in Germany, and the weak growth rates of recent years are threatening to stall and plunge Europe into recession." ( The International Herald Tribune www.iht.com)

Europe lacks politicians who are capable making the tough economic choices. Europe can no longer afford shortsighted policies like early retirement and shorter working hours. Someone has to tell the Europeans that they need to work more and harder. Also, someone needs to tell them that the US is not going to defend anymore. The days of "easy life" and "free US defense" are over.

Over here, things are the exact opposite. The US economy is doing quite well. Any European politician would give you an arm and a leg to have our unemployment, GDP growth and over overall prospects of the US economy.

Europe must make radical changes or it will continue to fall behind the US, China and India.