Funny, calling the Netherlands a land of communists and socialists. Since our country has always been a country of trade since it hardly has any natural resources. That?s what we?re known for. Also the world?s 2nd or 3rd largest company (Royal Dutch/Shell) is a mostly Dutch corporation. This all wouldn?t really happen if we were living in a tiny communist country. True, The Netherlands just as the rest of Europe is more left wing than the USA. The policy of your democrats would be considered right-wing over here. Even I don?t consider myself really left-wing over here, for American I?m left-wing yes, for Dutch not. So I?m sensing some kind of communist?phobia or maybe even xenophobia in your reply. Also, it seems like you feel that I?ve started a personal attack on America. Well I haven?t. I?ve just stated some things which do apply to the USA, since it is the superpower of today, but not solely to them but also to (relative) superpowers of the past and also to Europe. I also did not state that this (general) superpower is doing something wrong. I haven?t said who?s right and who?s wrong, so my post was never meant to bash the USA or anything like that, dont? be so paranoid and feel offended so soon. I have other reasons for not liking American policy, something this post wasn?t about, it actually wasn?t about a policy at all.
About the fall our government: well I haven?t voted for either of those parties, but I think t?s a good thing they?v fallen apart, since the LPF is a very unstabile party with their members being egocentric and much to eager for (personal) power.
But back to the original topic. To call envy the reason is very easy, because this simply implies they're the bad guys and we can't help it that they hate us. In fact then they are the cause for the hatred themselves, because they are stupid envious people. Stating that the huge influence of the (culture of the) rich on the (culture of the) poor is a main cause for hatred may to some imply that the rich are wrong or bad or deliberately opresssing the poor. They aren't, but it just happens to be this way (sometimes they are and then the rich and powerful are acting in a wrong way, but this doesn't necesarely have to be this way)
Why not just envy? Well, that is personal in a way yes, but I wouldn't hate anyone just because they are more powerful or rich. So be it, I don't need to be wealthy, though I want to be independent. But if they are more powerful and rich, well I don't think anyone would have a problem with that as long as this power doen't influence your way of life.