> I don't see how. Sure you have GDPR but much more ID checks and less anonymity.

There's always talk about ID checks, and the old farts who don't understand how the digital world works keep pushing for it, but doubt any will actually pass. Keep in mind each and every EU country's parliament must ratify whatever comes out of Brussels for it to become law. There's no shortage of past examples were things weren't passed.

So, at least as of now, the average European has a ton more anonymity than the average American.

> Plus harsher speech laws.

US media really likes to have a field day. But having lived in over half a dozen countries across the continent, I can tell you the only places where this is true is in countries trying to emulate the US (ex: Orban's Hungary). Everywhere else, you're far more likely to get in trouble in the US than Europe for saying the same thing or demonstrating in the street.

> For all the EU victories over apple app store policies, you still have to dox yourself to them to run ANY program on portable devices.

WTF?!!! where? Can you give concrete example?

> Whoever jumps through the hoops to actually get on the ballot looks to be cut from the same cloth, at least in the US.

It's much more diverse in Europe. Ironically, because the US designed the democratic systems of most countries post WW2. No single party or ideology can get a majority, or at least it's very very hard. The main issue, at last as I see it, is that it's becoming less and less attractive as a career path. Using myself as an example. I make quite a bit more (1.25-2x) than a parliament member in most, if not all European countries.

When your middle manager at a large corporation, which isn't exactly a position that requires a lot of intellect nor skill (no disrespect, but it's not rocket science), nor does it, on average, carry any consequential responsibility, pays more than being a member of parliament, guess where anyone with an ounce of talent will chose to go.

If you're going to demand the best results, you need to get the best people on the job.