"Think of guns, health care, social security, death penalty. They are of opinion that these issues are better dealt with in Europe. In other words, they prefer their own implementation of free market, liberalism and capitalism. And they criticize the US for not making real progress with regard to those issues."

Let's address those points:

Gun control. Pure BS. Every person has a right to defend themselves, their family and their property. Also, keeps a government or a foreign power from imposing its will when every 3rd person is armed. I love it and will fight to defend this right.

Health care. No comparison. Many people beg to come here for medical treatment because everyone else is sub-standard. See Canada and Britain for starters. we won't even cover undeveloped nations.

Social Security. A farse. The way it was not changed to meet the times mirrors the European model of taxing the working man to pay for the retirees and loafers who did not plan ahead. FDR screwed us with this program. Albeit a good idea it has been grossly mismanaged.

Death Penalty. Come to Texas we have an express lane. I dare say it is based on Biblical principles, but aside from that once a person has deemed themselves one who is incapable of living without preying on others ( I feel that serial rapists and child molesters should be put to death ) they have given up their right to live among us. I have a fix, we can send them to Europe so you all can house them and deal with them. Also, see gun control, it is a better fix.

I dare say progress is not the term I would use to describe the European model, more like pitiful.