Huh? What Iceberg??

It may be a wee too optimistic for my taste, but the author of this Washington Examiner article makes the point that the leaders of Europe are perhaps rousing themselves now that the deck chairs and musicians are sliding ever faster on their way to the bow and America is finally coming to its senses.

This may seem an odd time to bring it up, what with America looking increasingly irrelevant abroad and doomed to fiscal calamity at home by endless government deficits and debt, but prospects for this country are actually looking up. In fact, events here and across the pond in Europe suggest that America is on the cusp of a new era of prosperity at home and influence abroad. Before you conclude The Examiner's editors have completely lost their bearings, consider the following, beginning with Europe.

Just before the Middle East erupted, European leaders made headlines by repudiating the pernicious gaggle of nostrums collectively known as multiculturalism. British Prime Minister David Cameron put it best: "Europe needs to wake up to what is happening in our own countries. ... We have even tolerated these segregated communities behaving in ways that run counter to our values. ... We've been too cautious, frankly even fearful, to stand up to them." Along with this long-overdue recognition, the major powers of Europe are also coming to grips with the reality that they can no longer afford the welfare states they established a century ago. Britain, France and Germany struggle with declining birthrates, high unemployment and stagnant economies, even as Spain, Ireland, Portugal, Italy and Greece stagger under the weight of insolvency.

Can Europe overcome decades of socialist tendencies? Are their politicians able to form a consensus? Will their dependant constituencies allow them to make the necessary changes? Can Lady Emma ever forgive Lord Chauncey for sleeping with her invalid second cousin? Come'on Europe, forget the soaps and the royals and wake the hell up.

Change in America tends to come from the bottom up, and it clearly is gaining momentum across the country. Even in Washington, political momentum is behind the Republican House that is leading the way in reducing federal spending and debt. America is still and will continue to be the best place for smart money and smart people. If you doubt it, just think of the alternatives.

Liberal powers are deeply entrenched in America and like to use unions as muscle. They have already manifested their propensity to use violence while protecting their interests. So once again - tighten yer lugnuts mateys, we may be in for a bumpy ride on our way to November 2012.