Hi Mike,

>>So I believe that there is a strong case for America being the inspiration for liberal democracy in Europe. And that's why I don't brook criticism on what democracy is from someone who's father professed fealty to Queen Wilhelmina 60 years ago when 200 years ago my ancestors could tell the federal government to go to hell. Feel free to disagree.
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>OK, I understand better now what you meant. I still don't agree wholeheartedly, though. Democracy was not unknown in Europe prior to the World Wars. There just happened to be one country that had a hard time breaking the habit of goosestepping out of the Black Forest once a generation and trying to take over the world. Obviously we did have a major role in defeating and rehabilitating that country.

You're right, it was not unknown. In Britain, Sweden, and ostensibly in Russia, there were constitutional monarchies. Probably others that escape me now....oh yeah, San Marino (lol). Still, though, the American influence on current government structure in Europe is inescapable.