Idle EU thoughts that lead inevitably (in my mind) to government
sanctioned tribalism  A few years ago, those in the know were
telling us in no uncertain terms that the EU model was the
future — and that America had better get used to playing second
fiddle to the economic giant that a united Europe presented.  I
found it hard to imagine that Europe would ever be able to
overcome rivalries and tribal allegiances that span centuries,
even millennia.  I also did not believe that the socialist
model, which might work in a small, homogenous culture, would be
able to sustain a vast economic federalism.  Watching what is
happening in Europe now tells me that my common sense was
infinitely more valuable than anything scholars and economists
had to offer.  The whole EU collapse has gotten me thinking
about tribalism.  One of America’s greatest strengths, right up
there with the Constitution and the continent’s natural bounty —
is that tribalism didn’t take hold here as it did in Europe. 
From the beginning, we were to