In this day of everybody hates America I think a moment` s reflection might be in order.
From the world war two days of ”overpaid, oversexed and over here” to the present day POTUS, the period spanning some 85 years has seen many shifts in the way Europeans see America. From the common prejudices such as forever swilling coca cola, bragging in a loud voice, driving an ostentatious car, believing everything coming out of Hollywood, wearing a stetson, lacking culture and class, not being able to place most European capitals on a map etc. etc. etc. to an acceptance that the United State´ s Marshal Plan of 1948 was crucial in the rebuilding of western Europe thus laying the foundations for much of Europe` s current prosperity.
Nato chief Mark Rutte` s much criticised reference to Trump as ”Daddy” was not so much an acknowlegement of Trump as it was of a role defining western European nations ’ post war relations with the United States.
Most of us (Europeans) were aware that geopolitical proximity to America ensured our safety at a low cost with military dependence seen as a price worth paying. The UK made well use of the special relationship ”ointment” easing the post-war pain of not only losing an empire but having one of its former colonies calling the shots.
Well into Trump’ s second term of ”Make America Great Again” the US is ironically enough no longer calling the shots as one Nato ally after another is making it crystal clear that they are not playing along. Trump has given a voice to that other America with rhetoric and politics reminiscent of the above mentioned prejudices. ”Red neck” USA would be more risible than scary were it not for America` s tech billionaires taking sides.
It is said money cannot buy class but infamy is always for sale.
