End of Socialism?

With the recent win by conservatives in the German general election, and the predicted trouncing of the governing Labour party in Britain's upcoming elections, American conservatives are heralding "the end of Socialism" in Europe.

But if the British Conservative party does win in November, the evangelical/neocon/teabagger clowns on this side of the Atlantic would do well to reserve their fist bumps. Just as they have no idea what Socialism means, they don't seem to be aware that Barack Obama would find much more in common with European conservatism than would the average Republican.

As Andrew Sullivan says:

"Sarkozy, Merkel and [British Conservative Party leader] Cameron are conservatives who reflexively support a welfare state that American Republicans believe is "communism". The three Euro-Tories are also dedicated to a secular politics, are neutral on abortion and strong supporters of gay equality. Cameron has championed socialized medicine and gay marriage as a core tenet of his One Nation Toryism. Suck on that, Newt."

Sort of reminds me how Nixon, that arch Republican villian to so many lefties, would have been considered a big ol' liberal in today's political environment. Left/Right? It's in the eye of the beholder.