What's going on here?

Europe would not be democratic if it wasnt mainly for the United States.  And after what Europe did last century, Europeans need not lecture Americans on and peace, freedom and democracy.

Let's not be so quick to forget where the Enlightenment ideals on which our democracy was founded originated.  Hint.  It was Europe.

And whether you like it or not, it was mostly the US that finally brought peace to Europe.

I would argue that the US was in fact instrumental, but hardly alone in that.  I think Great Britain and the Soviet Union might have lent us a hand in saving the world.  

Democracy is not just an election.  It requires the consent of the governed, freedom of expression, the right to private property.

I find that political ideologies are like religion.  Not easily defined.  Democracy is about more than elections.  Freedom of Speech is the holy grail of American democracy.  But private property?  I think that's more about Capitalism than Democracy.  

Lastly, I just want to pipe up, and say, I think it's a little unhelpful for Americans to show up at a European website and begin lecturing people.  Not because we don't have good points to make, and not because the Europeans are right about everything.  But because it just reinforces stereotypes about Americans being arrogant.  

"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.