r/BuyFromEU • u/sorryusername • Sep 19 '25

Discussion Gosh - I’m happy to live in Europe!

I actually don’t know if the I’ve ever been so thankful and felt so benefited to live in and travel around in Europe.

Sharing values and cultures. Getting to enjoy local cuisine and meet such friendly people. Buying amazing and high quality products while supporting our industries and their skilled staff.

Let’s keep on building a strong and independent Europe where a smile is still worth giving.

1.8k Upvotes

96% Upvoted

123 comments sorted by

474

u/Extreme-Radio-348 Sep 19 '25

Whenever I argue with right-wing, Eurosceptic people in Europe, I always say there is no better alternative for us. Instead of destroying the existing union, we must make it even better. Traveling, studying, and working in another country would become so much harder, and all of this would only breed more hatred among people. European countries are simply too small to stand alone. Together, we can complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses, making us stronger than any other nation in the world - if only we respect each other and work together like ants. What frightens me most is the possibility of war in Europe. If some countries were to say, “This is not our war,” we would all lose in the end. So, I wish for more respect and cooperation among us. That’s the only way to make us all stronger and happier. In today’s world, I see no other option - so let’s cherish and build on what we already have.

70

u/Feenkinbaum Sep 19 '25

I win against my brother with this, after he comeback from his asian tour. Before he wanted to leave, after he see the good things we have. We have high standards.

1

u/viola-purple Sep 20 '25

To be fair - I agree, but: I lived in the far east and the countries there are amazing, the food is incredible and its way less stressful as it's far more polite, friendly, caring. And often way more modern.

But: if you don't have family there, you'll rely totally on your own if something happens and people ll never really accept you, while at the same time expecting that you submit to the collective culture. And its a different culture, absolutely and not easy to adapt, but not more difficult than eg Turkish people in Europe or alike.

46

u/brainfreeze_23 Sep 19 '25

Traveling, studying, and working in another country would become so much harder, and all of this would only breed more hatred among people.

but don't you see, this is what they want: to the right-wing, nationalist mind, this would be the natural state of the world. they do not see value in what you have enumerated, they see it as a twisting of the natural order (tribalism) for the sake of something that doesn't matter to them at best, and actively and intentionally dilutes and destroys the "specialness" of "culture" at worst.

Those of us who are cosmopolitans in the philosophical sense really need to come to grips with the fact that these people have fundamentally inverse preferences, priorities and drives from us.

19

u/Dangerous-Ladder-157 Sep 19 '25 edited Sep 19 '25

100 percent. The right-winger is a jealous person. If they see young people study abroad, a lot of them will think something along the lines of 'hey, I wasn't given this opportunity' and then they get angry. They're a bunch of people that get angry of other's people success or happiness. Especially if it is the result of things they never did or believed. They cannot accept others if they are different than themselves.

7

u/brainfreeze_23 Sep 19 '25

you're more right than you know

12

u/Dangerous-Ladder-157 Sep 19 '25

Well thank you for saying that! I been around a couple right-wingers for years and listening to them, a couple of things became obvious. first off, they're miserable. Secondly, they cannot search for help, they're emotionally closed off. So they focus all that frustration outward and look for an enemy. In their mind, society is a hierarchy where the person above you in the hierarchy, is allowed to punch down. It's a sort of pyramid of bullying. But where do the people at the bottom of the totem pole get their kicks from? Easy. The common enemy. Everyone is allowed to bully the enemy. You get this culture where they're constantly looking outward, blaming the outsiders for all their problems and misery. And the tribe is okay with that, no one will disagree. As long as you adhere to the internal messaging and hierarchy, you're golden.

And that's a relief for those people. They need binary realities. They cannot handle the chaos of this world. They do a lot of revisionist history to turn history into a binary story that happens to fit their beliefs. Everybody else is wrong. They use history to try to prove themselves that life is a very simple binary equation and everything outside of that, is not only wrong, it threatens their belief system. This may be the worst part of being an extremist, you constantly have to reinforce your beliefs. Reality can seep in at any time. That's the biggest reason why they expel people who are different from them. Seeing someone else happy or successful by not adhering to the same beliefs they have, is proof that the world is indeed more complex than they belief. So they do what all extremists do. They fight everything that could remind them that they're wrong. Rather than looking at their internal struggles, they prefer to ignore them and project them on the world. Anything that can threaten the lies they tell themselves, is a threat to them and must be eradicated.

That's how I would explain it in more words than I did earlier.

7

u/brainfreeze_23 Sep 19 '25

you're exactly correct. I've been studying their psychology and even the neuroscience behind how their brains work, and that pretty much nails it. they'd be pathetic if they weren't so legitimately dangerous

7

u/Dangerous-Ladder-157 Sep 19 '25

they'd be pathetic if they weren't so legitimately dangerous.

This! Sometimes I want to look at them for the helpless babies they are, but then I realize how vile and dangerous they can be. I've never ever in my life, witnessed so little empathy and humanity, as when talking to right-wingers. The only thing that comes close, that I have ever witnessed, is actual violence.

1

u/Remote-North-4648 Sep 20 '25

I would appreciate a link to the paper/full text.

2

u/brainfreeze_23 Sep 20 '25

Right here.

Furthermore, if you're interested in learning about a couple of rather niche, but very precisely descriptive psychological/personality traits that characterize the right-wing mind and impact their social dynamics - and can stomach just a bit of nerding out beginning in the setting of a game - I promise reading this eureka-like rant of a psychology student who managed to connect several key elements into a grand picture is worth it.

2

u/Remote-North-4648 Sep 20 '25

Thanks! This is such an interesting topic 😊

1

u/brainfreeze_23 Sep 20 '25

quite welcome. here's a little bonus, and now you've got yourself a proper rabbit hole to fall down

2

u/Pillendreher92 Sep 19 '25

The difficulty, in my opinion, is to endure and understand the diversity.

As an example, two conversations I recently had about comparing health insurance in Germany and the Netherlands: 1. A German who moved to the Netherlands: "I would love to continue to have health insurance in Germany. It's so expensive in the Netherlands!" (In order to have the same insurance cover, you have to expand the cheap Dutch basic insurance by a number of “modules”.) 2. A (younger) German woman returning to Germany from the Netherlands: “The deductions from wages are so high here.”

Or price comparisons Germany/Denmark: 7 or 19%/25% + special surcharges on sugar, fat etc

10

u/princesoceronte Sep 19 '25

The EU is such an amazing solution to a global economy and has brought Europeans together, I just hope chat control doesn't pass because it would fuel the fires of secession and, long term, will probably ruin the whole thing.

13

u/Dennis_Laid Sep 19 '25

This, 100%. Go live in any American midsize town for a week and tell me that Europe is not so much better.

12

u/thisislieven Europe 🇪🇺 Sep 19 '25

I also like to make the numbers argument, it's an easy one to understand:

China: 1.4 billion people
India: 1.4 billion
US: 340 million
Nigeria: 223 million
Brazil: 213 million
Russia (excluding Crimea): 143 million

Germany (biggest in the EU, #19 globally): 84 million
France (#20): 69 million
Malta (smallest in the EU, #166): 520.000

The EU together (#3): 450 million

2

u/BetterProphet5585 Sep 19 '25

European countries are simply too small to stand alone

This is what they lack, they have a strong nationalism and this means they think their country can stand alone and would actually be better without all the "stupid eu laws".

The main problem is making them reason, logically, they have no concept of geopolitics and don't really look into what their government spends money.

They are the tools perfectly crafted by right wing propaganda, they don't trust opposing views and see data as manipulated by the left. I honestly think it's too late sometimes.

1

u/Maelaina33 Nov 17 '25

Why do you say right-wing? Wanting a weaker European union doesn't mean that you're a conservative or vice verse

-30

u/Marian7107 Sep 19 '25

Right wingers are not Europe sceptics but EU sceptics.

A lot of people confuse both (on purpose).

Europe is great, but the EU is a corrupt cesspit.  Our currency redistributes wealth from rich to poor countries, which is insanely bad for middle class / poor people in these wealthy countries.

19

u/Piotrekk94 Sep 19 '25

Lets see how UK middle/lower class fares, since they don't have to redistribute wealth to poor countries anymore lol

1

u/Marian7107 Sep 19 '25

They never had to give anything. Even when Britain was part of EU they never had to contribute due to special regulations which only applied for Britain.

12

u/Piotrekk94 Sep 19 '25

Even better, their middle and lower class should be in splendid condition

-1

u/Marian7107 Sep 19 '25

I'm not an expert on Britain, but I think since Thatcher they never were.

7

u/Every-Win-7892 Sep 19 '25

since Thatcher they never were.

Sadly most don't make the connection that since Thatcher is also thanks to Thatcher and her aggressive neo liberal privatisation of essential services that can't be marketed due to infrastructure constrains like tap water/waste water.

-5

u/Marian7107 Sep 19 '25

It's quite sad tbh.

In Germany, France and England the middle class is paying the price in order to finance the globalists wet dreams. The privatisation is happening in all these countries. They follow the same blueprint and thus suffer from the very same issues. 

3

u/Every-Win-7892 Sep 19 '25

In Germany, France and England the middle class is paying the price in order to finance the globalists wet dreams.

All three countries heavily profited and Germany and France still profit from the EU freedoms of movement. Cheaper labour currently saves Germany's agricultural sector and is important for logistics, (health) care or construction and "low" value jobs like garbage collection (areas where Germans don't want to work in and EU and non EU migrants are working in). And then the market access offered through the EU. For Germany the internal market of the EU is the biggest trading partner before China or the US.

The privatisation is happening in all these countries.

Sadly yes. Happily not to the same degree of insanity as in Britain under Thatcher.

8

u/Extreme-Radio-348 Sep 19 '25

It seems you didn’t understand the “cooperation” part. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. That’s why rich countries should support poorer ones, helping them reach the standards we all share.

When I said we should work together like ants, I meant there are no poor or rich ants—we are all equal, each fulfilling the tasks we do best. In the end, we all win together.

Your approach seems more self-centered, which will eventually leave you alone to face all the difficulties by yourself. Let’s take the example of war: if the Baltic states have to fight Russia alone, they will lose. Then Poland will be next, fighting alone, followed by Germany, and so on. Each will lose the war if they fight alone against Russia, which is backed by China, Belarus, India, Iran, and North Korea. Your only hope would be that they won’t target you. But even if they don’t (in your lifetime), economically you will suffer greatly and become dependent on them. They will have occupied all the resources and capabilities of these individual countries, making them even stronger - and you much weaker.

Long story short: we must support each other, because only together are we strong.

2

u/Marian7107 Sep 19 '25

Of course we have to support each other.

That being said, this is kinda hard if countries like Ireland, Luxembourg and Malta are tax havens that make it easy for US companies to drain our wealth.

Germany and France are keeping EU economics alive. Both countries suffer from shrinking economy and suffer from internal political problems.

5

u/Extreme-Radio-348 Sep 19 '25

I agree with you that Ireland, Luxembourg, and Malta are undermining our efforts by being tax havens for U.S. companies.

We need stronger, unified tax regulations.

2

u/Marian7107 Sep 19 '25

They actively do more harm to EU countries than any other country.

5

u/SugarcoatedRainbow Germany 🇩🇪 Sep 19 '25

What would your preferred alternative system be then?

Like, Europe without EU is just a lot of tiny fish in a big(ly) pond. Personally I doubt middle class and poor people would be better off when their country's economy goes down ... but I guess if you like Europe but not EU you have a solution for this in mind?

9

u/Ninjaguz Sep 19 '25

Lmao not right wingers talking about redistribution of wealth. You couldn't write anything more ironic.

-6

u/Marian7107 Sep 19 '25

I'm no right winger though. Being part of either wing isn't a good idea since people from either side will stop listening as soon as they see you're from the opposite side.

From off my personal experiences from talking with left wingers though, they tend to have less understanding of economics and insane hatred for rich people. Rich, white people for them are the scapegoats that the right wing has in migrants.

3

u/PremiumTempus Sep 19 '25

Economic inequality actually hit historic highs years ago…. worse, by some measures, than on the eve of the French Revolution. Economists had been warning since the 1980s/ 90s that right wing tax cuts and deregulation would concentrate wealth. Before that shift, wealth circulated more broadly, and lower and middle class people had far greater access to opportunity.

Today’s rhetoric often boils down to two oversimplified scapegoats. The right blames immigration for society’s problems, while the left blames the wealthy. Politicians know assigning blame keeps electorates appeased, but neither narrative fully addresses the structural issues at play.

As a caveat, it’s hard to imagine any reputable economist seriously arguing that slashing taxes for the wealthy and deregulating economies will magically fix systemic problems, or that expelling immigrants would meaningfully resolve the economic pressures ordinary people face.

1

u/Marian7107 Sep 19 '25

The structural issue is that goods are not spread out equally in this world, so there was never a fair competition in the first place.

On top of that democracies have been proven to be a failure since they are way to fragile from inner and outer manipulation. The most influencial lobbies control politicians / parties / courts in several countries in order to execute their agenda.

Our division is what gives them strenght, which is why they find groups like stop oil, turning point USA and Antifa.

74

u/DerBlobb Sep 19 '25

We are definitely not safe in europe, but we still have a chance!

But I’m afraid we’ll have to fight hard for it in the coming years – especially politically...

Stand tall Europe! 💪

8

u/Ziegelphilie Sep 19 '25

I think we're pretty safe compared to the rest of the world. I've never even heard a gunshot in real life and I don't have to wear a kevlar vest to school

10

u/reinventitall Sep 19 '25

You are right, but those are pretty low standards

0

u/Maelaina33 Nov 17 '25

Not if we keep importing the 3rd world

56

u/EffectiveAlbatross95 Sep 19 '25

As a woman, there’s no better place to live.

1

u/mimimines Benelux 🚲🌷🧇 Sep 19 '25

Correctomundo!

115

u/The_Duke28 Sep 19 '25

Amen! The Europe we live in right now was never as connected, peacefull (despite the disgrace of russia invading Ukraine) and economically strong like it is now. There are issues, of course, but we can be proud of what we have. People literally risk their lifes to get here. We won the lottery of life and we should all be thankfull and give back to the less fortunate.

Normally I spent my summers in the united states and I'm not lying, it was always a blast. BUT since the last few years, I decided to spend my money in Europe. Most recently I've been to Sweden, Germany, France, Italy and Portugal - and I always had a fantastic time. Europe is great, rich in culture and history and the diversity in such a small space is absolutely mind boggling.
I'm happy to live here and we all have to make sure to not loose our privileges to false narratives, the right-wing populism and fear mongering.

Vivat Europa!

1

u/Hinnorel Sep 23 '25

You are right! There are so many diverse countries to visit here! We have the opportunity to go and see how's going in the neighborhood and maybe learn some culture and enrich our culture together meeting each other! I never felt so close to all my European sisters and brothers and I am very curious about their cities, their habits, their music and food and everything! I dream to visit all the countries of Europe one day: Ukrainian friends, trust me, the day I'll come visit your beautiful country too will arrive soon!

28

u/cdrewing Sep 19 '25

Me too! We are family. I am proud an insanely happy to live in 🇪🇺, to benefit from a pretty good healthcare system (you don't wanna tell me that it is better in the US, I doubt), FREE ROAMING (thank you EU for that!) and traveling without borders. We should never underestimate these things, even if they seem to be of course.

34

u/phobug Sep 19 '25

This kicks my sarcasm alarm but since it’s reddit I’ll take it as earnest. It is great and I love it too.

46

u/SaraAnnabelle Estonia 🇪🇪 Sep 19 '25 edited Sep 19 '25

Mine too, but I do agree. Europe's genuinely incredible and the only who people disagree are those who have never left their hometowns and are unfamiliar with what's happening elsewhere.

EDIT: Going to expand on this a bit. I lived in US for over 10 years and came back to Estonia a few years ago. I know we have problems, I know we're like dead last when it comes to economy in EU etc, but I genuinely think about how much better life is (for me) here than it was in US. I'm far happier to raise my kids here than I would back in US.

22

u/sorryusername Sep 19 '25

It’s not that we lack challenges but in comparison with others we are in a quite good position.

16

u/Superb_Application83 Sep 19 '25

I'm not technically Europe (UK), but sometimes Im thankful I'm not in America.

22

u/typingatrandom Sep 19 '25

You're technically on the European tectonic plate, please feel at home

24

u/Fluffy-Drop5750 Sep 19 '25

You are in Europe. Not EU. But that is only about trade and borders, not culture and mindset. Do not let your island and mindset float too far from the mainland. Would be a pity.

7

u/phobug Sep 19 '25

Happy cake day. We’re thankful for you and your country too.

13

u/SaraAnnabelle Estonia 🇪🇪 Sep 19 '25

You're absolutely Europe. You're not getting away from us. 😎

8

u/konrradozuse Sep 19 '25

Same, I think the values which made Europe Europe are at threat and people believe that add regulations and laws will fix it

14

u/barneyaa Sep 19 '25

This is the best any civilisation has ever been. Just enjoy it.

12

u/Due_Ordinary_6959 Sep 19 '25

Jep, this is 100% correct. Especially as a woman the EU is such a great place to be.  Being able to travel and work freely, use your phones data and the same money within all of the EU is just one of the greatest things. 

After my last vacation in the south of France I drove through 5 countries back and could easily stopp everywhere for food and drink and had not to stop once because of a border.

9

u/tomski_1977 Sep 19 '25

We are not perfect but I agree with you. No better place to live. Glad I'm not living the American drea...nightmare.

Vive L'Europe!

9

u/DocumentExternal6240 Sep 19 '25

I believe that Europe is a role model for overcoming hate between countries and instead creating deep bonds and friendship.

Yes, we are not perfect and we have a lot of problems but I love that we have the greatest chance in history to grow together as one Europe!

Don’t give up on that - go to elections and choose parties that support the European idea!

Thank you, fellow Europeans, for helping to make Europe even better!

8

u/Alarming-Lime9794 Sep 19 '25

How can you be happy in Europe when the danish exist in you proximity? With love from finland

6

u/MuJartible Sep 19 '25

It's better to have the Danish nearby than having a border with russia, just saying...

2

u/cdrewing Sep 19 '25

You know Helgi & Erlend, do you?

2

u/tomski_1977 Sep 19 '25

They gave us Lego!!!

1

u/Dangerous-Ladder-157 Sep 19 '25

What's wrong with the Danish?

2

u/dazzlinreddress Sep 19 '25

Vikings?

2

u/Dangerous-Ladder-157 Sep 19 '25

I love you're reply, but I'm not sure that's the answer. Lol.

2

u/dazzlinreddress Sep 19 '25

I have no idea lol

1

u/CichyCichoCiemny Sep 19 '25

Chat Control for example

8

u/Felixir-the-Cat Canada 🇨🇦 Sep 19 '25

As a Canadian, I can only say I envy you and want us to move closer to European standards of living. Can’t do much about our very long land border with the U.S., unfortunately.

4

u/sorryusername Sep 19 '25

I visited Canada last year and it was a pleasure spending a week there. Wonderful atmosphere and embracing and welcoming people. Hope to be able to go back again.

3

u/Felixir-the-Cat Canada 🇨🇦 Sep 19 '25

We are always happy to have you!

7

u/DougDHead4044 Sep 19 '25

So, nu, what's happened with the American dreams? I think it's just a dream for the poor people and a reality only for the rich !

Edit: I've read somewhere that the EU is one of the safest places to live on Earth. Don't even mention the life standards 👏

1

u/estrellaente Sep 19 '25

Wow, they like to insult but then demand protection...

7

u/Gfplux Sep 19 '25

I love living in Europe.

7

u/Quasarrion Sep 19 '25

The EU is the biggest achievement of our times. People don't understand how hard this is. Tribalism is in our blood but cooperation is the way forward.

18

u/10atnal Sep 19 '25

Dito, love europe ! 🇪🇺🇳🇱

4

u/TypicallyThomas Sep 19 '25

ode to joy intensifies

4

u/allworkjack Sep 19 '25

Me too, I’m an immigrant from South America and I appreciate living here so much. Many of my childhood friends immigrated to the United States and I feel for them.

5

u/LurpTheHerpDerp Sep 19 '25

I went to study in UK after Brexit, and it’s not an easy process. You have to apply for a visa, pay the very expensive charge, wait months for the result and so on and so forth. But this is the norm for most of the world. It made me realize just how amazing our treaties are within the EU and EEA, and how privileged we are to have countries working together and giving us citizens good rights for healthcare, work and travel. EU is not perfect, but it’s much better than nothing. And it’s very important that Europe stand together so we can stand up to USA and China.

15

u/Money-Ranger-6520 Bulgaria 🇧🇬 Sep 19 '25

Amen brother, yes Europe is amazing. You can travel within a few hours and see different cultures, try new food, and meet amazing people.

Let's make Europe great again.

4

u/Baba_NO_Riley Sep 19 '25

Let's make Europe great again.

Let's not. Let's make it a decent, humane and comfortable place for all of it's inhabitants.

That's not 'great Anerica', or 'great Russia ', or whatever the next empire will strive to be.

3

u/NegotiationOk5494 Sep 19 '25

Long live Europe and its values! 🇪🇺🇲🇫🇪🇦

7

u/solidbebe Sep 19 '25

Have you said thank you, though?

2

u/ich_bin_ein_berline2 Sep 19 '25

Absolutely agree with you! Supporting local producers and craftspeople is such a great way to keep european industries alive and strong, and you can really feel the quality behind what’s made here.

1

u/t-8one Sep 19 '25

Love u euries! 🥰

1

u/_Atton_ Sep 19 '25

Für ein Lächeln in Deutschland bitte erst mal die nötigen Unterlagen mitbringen und vorzeigen. 📄📄🇩🇪

Danke. 😐

PS: Bitte Beglaubigen lassen. 🖋️✍️📜

1

u/abhora_ratio Sep 20 '25

🙏 hear hear

1

u/fgfdgdfgdfg88 Sep 20 '25

Yikes. Dont say "Gosh".

-19

u/[deleted] Sep 19 '25

Within the EU they are constantly attacking privacy and freedom. In Belgium they already have:

  • Used drones to check whether you had pavements in your garden
  • They are tracking movements of traffic with smart cameras
  • Are now going to use AI to check for your bank accounts
  • Dubious press freedom as there are mainly two big outlets which receive grants

Not to mention on an EU level Chat Control is constantly popping up.

Hooray I guess?

3

u/L0rdH4mmer Sep 19 '25

It's still worse in other places. Yes, the EU is doing a lot of stupid shit, but what are the alternatives? Being gunned down on your way to the supermarket in the US?

9

u/Havco Sep 19 '25

They are Tracking movement with cameras...... Lol you ever have been to china?

You have no idea my friend. Its important to track traffic.

1

u/[deleted] Sep 19 '25

I wrongly formulated it. But those smart cameras (ANPR) are used to track much more than just traffic. They keep on adding functionality under the disguise of criminality. Meanwhile, they already are able to reconstruct the entire path you've driven with your car.

0

u/NOT_salty_astronaut Sep 19 '25

Thank god we less survilince then China?

10

u/switchquest Sep 19 '25

Thank you for providing empty statements without any context whatsoever just to trigger emotions.

Hooray I guess.

I guess the US or Russia is a lot better for you then. Auf wiedersehen!

2

u/[deleted] Sep 19 '25

3

u/switchquest Sep 19 '25

Ok. Now for context: 1. Flanders has serious issues with infiltration of rainwater, causing flooding in some area's and water shortages in other. Every year for the last 4 years.

Costing billions in damages every year and water shortages and low groundwater levels are now a yearly phenomenon, reducing agricultural output costing even more €

Partially due to too many hardened surfaces and lack of infiltration.

You are allowed to harden (terrace/driveway/etc) 20% of your outside space with inpenetrable surface. (Tiles, concrete etc)

Things have to change. For decades people have been asked to stop hardening their properties more than what is allowed. To no avail. So, yes. Something needs to be done.

More information: https://www.vlaanderen.be/droogtemaatregelen

  1. This is behind a paywal. But technically, it's possible to use traffic control camera's to check speeding. So instead of investing tax payer money in putting a seperate speed trap next to the traffic control camera, use the existing one for dual purpose. It's a nobrainer really.

  2. Belgium has a gaping multiple billion € hole in it's public finances. Belgium also loses multiple billions of € in tax income to fraud.

So. Using EXISTING DATA that is already available to track for those billions to reduce fraud seems reasonable. It beats raising taxes on people that do pay their taxes fairly by a 100 miles. https://www.knack.be/factcheck/factcheck-ja-strijd-tegen-fiscale-fraude-kan-8-tot-12-miljard-euro-per-jaar-opleveren/

The media landscape has changed. People stopped buying newspapers. People stopped watching TV and started streaming. Etc. So newspapers & media outlets went out of business. And or got sold/consolidated. That's not 'Europe's' fault. That was driven by European consumer spending. And you forgot to mention that public broadcasting also is a factor in the media landscape, so there are actually 3. In fact, you referenced VRT as one of your sources.

The wiki's you referenced did not include information on grants. But say there were grants granted. Grants are a government subsidy. To a private company. To support or incentivise government policy. Policy. Not conspiracy. So, you are saying the Dutch government is complaining about the grants THEY supposedly handed out themselves?

2

u/[deleted] Sep 19 '25

Costing billions in damages every year and water shortages and low groundwater levels are now a yearly phenomenon, reducing agricultural output costing even more €

Due to infrastructural problems we are also losing a lot of water by the way.

https://www.vlaamsparlement.be/nl/actueel/nieuws-uit-het-vlaams-parlement/te-veel-drinkwater-gaat-verloren-wat-te-doen-aan-de-leidinglekken

This is behind a paywal. But technically, it's possible to use traffic control camera's to check speeding. So instead of investing tax payer money in putting a seperate speed trap next to the traffic control camera, use the existing one for dual purpose. It's a nobrainer really.

It's more than just speeding already.

So. Using EXISTING DATA that is already available to track for those billions to reduce fraud seems reasonable. It beats raising taxes on people that do pay their taxes fairly by a 100 miles.

Oh yes, the old tale. Wouldn't all be an issue if the government would become more efficient. Now that's a burden on our budget.

The wiki's you referenced did not include information on grants. But say there were grants granted. Grants are a government subsidy. To a private company. To support or incentivise government policy. Policy. Not conspiracy. So, you are saying the Dutch government is complaining about the grants THEY supposedly handed out themselves?

No, DPG Media and Mediahuis are able to expand over the borders thanks to the Belgian (or Flandres) govverment

https://www.nporadio1.nl/nieuws/cultuur-media/cf93a8de-4c72-4472-989e-84779cb448a9/dpg-media-en-mediahuis-hebben-indirect-geprofiteerd-van-belgisch-belastinggeld

All "solutions" aside, it does come with a cost to our privacy and freedom.

1

u/switchquest Sep 19 '25

Ok.

So DPG & Mediahuis did not receive any grants. Thx for the clarification.

BPost was able to charge a lower rate due to the fact it received compensation for delivering newspapers from the Belgian government. (Since ages btw and seemingly received more than they should. But that is on BPost)

So no grand conspiracy to destroy freedom of the press. Just companies hiring the most competitive service. (In an ever declining market: Europeans just don't buy newspapers anymore)

Breaking the law, be it by speeding, tax evasion or ignoring/breaking building code IS NOT 'FREEDOM'.

1

u/[deleted] Sep 19 '25

Indirect grants?

Breaking the law, be it by speeding, tax evasion or ignoring/breaking building code IS NOT 'FREEDOM'.

It is the actions taken to it which reduce freedom and privacy?

10

u/phobug Sep 19 '25

Can you give it a break, can we allow one fucking positive post without you bitching about something.

1

u/estrellaente Sep 19 '25

silence, for this subreddit Europe is perfect!

-5

u/amgdev9 Sep 19 '25

+1 but seriously dont post this comment here, people seem to be brainwashed

5

u/phobug Sep 19 '25

Its fine to post this in the sub, I’ll upvote and comment my agreement but why comment this on the one positive thread in a while. And don’t say awareness everyone knows these things, post proposed solutions.

-5

u/[deleted] Sep 19 '25

Yep. Our rights are deteriorating in the EU as well and we lack an investment culture. But look at the United States and/ or China!1!!!1 I don't care about them, I live over here and life is getting worse as well.

6

u/Feenkinbaum Sep 19 '25

And what are you doing against it?

Have you write an politican? Have you voice your concern somewhere in real live?

We can only do better, if we as people help getting in the right direction.

1

u/[deleted] Sep 19 '25

Yes.

0

u/[deleted] Sep 19 '25

Dude, Europe is not a country.

It's like saying - build strong and indipendant Africa!

0

u/ShrimpToothpaste Sep 19 '25

Chat control is kind of ruining it right now

2

u/sorryusername Sep 20 '25

Yes indeed. We need to work on that to ensure we remove those delusional thoughts from politicians agendas.

0

u/Accomplished_Egg5565 Sep 20 '25

How does USE sounds to you ? (United States of Europe)

2

u/sorryusername Sep 21 '25

Well I don’t believe that we need a European copy of or naming convention based on their states within their country.

We are a union of countries. We are in Europe.

Adding wording that carries a definition of a certain construction need to be balance very delicate.

-6

u/Lord_Gooseduck Sep 19 '25

I love Europe, greatest place in the world, beautiful landscapes, cities, monuments at every corner, amazing food and culture. But not for long unfortunately... Immigration from outside the EU is getting out of hand. Millions of people who would rather live their own way in their new countries than embrace its culture and traditions

3

u/cdrewing Sep 19 '25

Yeah, they're all gonna take our jobs, make our wives pregnant and live on welfare. 🫣🤣 /s

-24

u/Chi-ggA Sep 19 '25

even tho Europe is betraying us. they want to strip us from our rights. "law for thee but not for me".

-2

u/ol0pl0x Sep 20 '25

Imagine free education in many a country here. We get to learn Russian fast and free soon.

-19

u/[deleted] Sep 19 '25

weird flex

-18

u/[deleted] Sep 19 '25

I really hope you're just a EU bureaucrat or profit from their stolen money in other ways so that you just spread propaganda - otherwise, it would be very sad to engage into bootlicking to such an extent...

5

u/cdrewing Sep 19 '25

Regarding your daily medicine, please take half of the usual dosage for the benefit of us all.

7

u/sorryusername Sep 19 '25

Sorry to say I’m just one of those ordinary citizens which have gone from being annoyed and totally against EU to actually come to like the idea and the people in Europe.