Carl, this is getting _very_ lengthy, and I must confess I find a lack of introspection in your postings.
Most of the things you hold against the EU and the french are things the U.S are doing themself. As far as I know, the U.S have not even ratified the Kyoto agreement, so for you to critizise the europeans for having trouble fulfilling it is kind of strange.
African colonies held by european contries (what colonies are those)!?? I guess the 'colonies' the U.S. holds doesn't count (you call them territories, and dont even give the natives a vote).
France going bancrupt, and the french not paying taxes.. Get real. Of course they pay taxes, and comparing France with the former Sovjet union is just incomprehensible.
As a side note, I pay 25%V.A.T on everything I buy, goods and services that goes directly to the state. In addition, I pay 23% income tax _and_ I live in a what could be called a socialist state. I think your definition of socialism needs to be updated, we do not live in the 60's anymore, and McCharty'ism really should be dead.

I do think the U.S economy are in more trouble than the french. After all, you are burning your national budget on warfare abroad and "security" measures, like putting our former prime minister (elected three times, with no controversy over the ballots) and former president of the World Health Organization in custody at border control.

Critique is OK, but a certain level of introspection to go hand in hand with it would be nice. It would be nice to meet you over a bottle of wine and discuss the differences between the U.S and Europe with you, as it sounds like you are sadly misinformed and could need some insight in how Europe really works.

Shall we go on and talk sailing here instead?

Best regards
Rolf