Dutch novelist Leon De Winter said on Dennis Prager’s radio show this week: It’s not only hate. It’s also admiration and love and envy.
It has old roots. The whole idea of America was denigrated by the European aristocracy from the beginning. Who are these ordinary people to create their own country? They need princes to rule over them.
That arrogance never left the European mind.
On top of that, America became a huge economic power. The aristocracy considered industry a negative thing. That was the territory of the aristocracy. The rise of America was a sign that simple people were trying to create wealth and power and that was bad.
For decades, America has been the most powerful country. Popular culture comes from America. It is the most seductive nation the world has seen.
We like to copy American life. On the other hand, because of traditional anti-American sentiments, we feel we’re more cultured and therefore superior to America.
Dennis: We’re too happy. It bugs people.
