From where I'm standing, Wolff's commentary is somewhat misleading. The protests in France, for instance, are not about higher taxation of the rich or putting a stop to government bailouts of the financial sector. The primary concern is the proposed reform of their pension system. Similarly, the most significant protests in Germany are centered around the use of nuclear power and - no kiddin' - a giant infrastructure/real estate project.

The real party is still somewhat "contained" south of the Alps.

@radx, who's doing the protesting? The political left, or the political right?

My main point is that the left of other countries is reacting to getting kicked in the teeth by kicking back. Around here it mostly responds by moping, bitching about Obama, and planning to not vote as some sort of protest.

None of the above. And all of the above. Those are special occasions where everyone got kicked in the teeth - except, of course, the very rich.

The regularly scheduled protests by the left (socialists, social-democrats, unions, attac, etc) are still to come.

@radx, maybe that's the real difference in the politics. Around here, if the rich come out okay, the right is always for it, especially if the screwing takes the form of cuts to things like pensions and health care to pay for extending tax cuts for the wealthy.

“The idea that you earn things - that you earn respect, that you earn income, responsibility, the vote, punishment...these ideas are anathema to the liberal mind.”

>> ^quantumushroom:

“The idea that you earn things - that you earn respect, that you earn income, responsibility, the vote, punishment...these ideas are anathema to the liberal mind.”


Nope.

Yup.

Europe is a warning, not a role model.