In the game of welfare state one-upsmanship between the United States and Europe, those crazy kids on the European Commission have fired the latest salvo.  Just when you thought they might have run out of socialistic steam—with unemployment soaring, economies tanking, the currency collapsing, and member states going bankrupt—those paragons of social justice demonstrate once again that we've got to get up pretty early in the morning if we're going to out-entitle the folks who have given entitlements a certain je ne sais quoi since the early 1900's.

Let me apologize for past assertions that innovation has all but disappeared in Europe due to the enormous size and burden of government.  This new proposal shows that the European spirit is alive and well.  They are constantly thinking of new ways to redistribute wealth and eviscerate whatever capitalistic instinct may remain among their ever-shrinking productive class.

Antonio Tajani, an EU commissioner, has put forth the novel concept (well, maybe not so novel in Europe) that vacationing is a human right.  Mr. Tajani says, "Travelling for tourism today is a right.  The way we spend our holidays is a formidable indicator of our quality of life."

The plan, not yet fully developed, would fund 30% of the cost, and focus on people and families "facing difficult social, financial, or personal circumstances."

Honey, our goldfish died.  Pack up the Fiat; we're heading to the Amalfi Coast.

The program will be piloted until 2013, then fully launched.  One of the objectives, according to Tajani, is to have northern Europeans visit southern Europe and vice versa.

I never made it from the South Hills of Pittsburgh to the North Hills until I was 18.  Who knew my human rights were being violated?  Anybody have Gloria Allred's number?  I've clearly been damaged.

If we don't adopt this policy in the U.S., then haven't the terrorists...er...anti-tourists really won?

Your move, Obama.

Hello Value Added Tax!