LESS

'One of the hard facts of our present predicament is that the steps that have to be taken to get ready for the future bearing down on us all require letting go of the privileges and perquisites that most Americans consider theirs by right.'

from:

 http://thearchdruidreport.blogspot.fr/2014/01/2030-is-new-2012.html

Quite! For 'Americans' read 'Europeans' or 'Westerners', if you prefer.