Thank him for the compliment :-) "Run-of-the-mill" - millions agree with you. "European socialist" - a fine tradition which is largely responsible for the obvious advantages enjoyed by Europeans which you pointed out. "Intolerant" - absolutely, most Europeans wouldn't tolerate the poverty, especially as it affects children and lack of a decent medical system for all, in a society which gives tax breaks to billionaires.

Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner - that I moved to Nice.