The European Union
Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2010 6:34 pm
Although i live, in what basically is, the birthplace of the European Union, i do not feel any connection with it. We, the Dutch, and with us, many other 'western' countries in the EU, haven't seen any substantial profit of this organization, this extra layer of these 'civil servants', a term for a group of employees which in more than a few countries has been declined towards a term used for lazy, money grubbing people who have lost all interest in the national population of the countries they control. We were promised economic stability, improved money and goods-transportation between the European nations, and much, much more. I don't think I'm alone when I say: I haven't seen a single thing of that. Sure, more than the occasional company has flourished thanks to this, and I'm sure the economic crisis we are currently involved in could have been much, much worse, but then again, it could also have been a lot better. Greece is basically bankrupt, even after the injection of several tens of billions of euro's, Ireland is on the brink of. Portugal is striking like hell because its next in line, Spain wont follow long after. Truth is: Large sections of the European nation is a money pit. Though us Dutch have to work till we are at least 65 to get a pension, people are striking like hell all over the European mainland because their governments have decided to up the pension age to 62 (France) or less. Pussy's. I seriously doubt that, overall, Europe has gained the Dutch anything. They are one of the largest net payers. And we are not alone. Scandinavia, Germany, UK. All for the greater good?
Though a lot of western European countries have been spending money in a more or less civilized way, many countries have decided to spend money they don't have. And now, the game is up. Like domino's nations fall to the increasing pressure of depts. Will we ever get out?
Europe decided it has to protect its own currency, which most countries agreed upon. Mind, that MOST Europeans were against the Euro currency right from the start. I guess the UK has been one of the few countries that actually did what the population wanted in that matter. In the beginning, no real problems existed however. But now, in this economic crisis, WE need to pay for THEIR childlike spending. Hell, even the UK has to pay to maintain a currency they don't even have. All because if the Euro falls, so will Europe.
It has been done before, uniting several nations under one flag. I talk of course about the USA. Whether or not that was a good thing i will not discuss, but i do feel Americans feel more united under their flag than we Europeans do. Europe is not one, Europe will likely never be one. Heck, even individual countries are on the virge of splitting up because the differences are too great (Belgium). How did it ever come to this? United under a government we never wanted, never asked for, never voted for? What kind of democracy is this?
The above is a slight exaggeration of how i currently feel towards the European Union. It probably isn't ALL bad, and probably isn't as fascist as some people say it is. However, it was these exact people that sparked this point of discussion. To be more exact, a certain mister Nigel Farage. To those unfamiliar, here's some footage:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsVZ4VepQdg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rG2yzaiqezI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fyq7WRr_GPg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToK4w8FbCtc
Still, what are your opinions? Pro- or Contra? Discuss please
Though a lot of western European countries have been spending money in a more or less civilized way, many countries have decided to spend money they don't have. And now, the game is up. Like domino's nations fall to the increasing pressure of depts. Will we ever get out?
Europe decided it has to protect its own currency, which most countries agreed upon. Mind, that MOST Europeans were against the Euro currency right from the start. I guess the UK has been one of the few countries that actually did what the population wanted in that matter. In the beginning, no real problems existed however. But now, in this economic crisis, WE need to pay for THEIR childlike spending. Hell, even the UK has to pay to maintain a currency they don't even have. All because if the Euro falls, so will Europe.
It has been done before, uniting several nations under one flag. I talk of course about the USA. Whether or not that was a good thing i will not discuss, but i do feel Americans feel more united under their flag than we Europeans do. Europe is not one, Europe will likely never be one. Heck, even individual countries are on the virge of splitting up because the differences are too great (Belgium). How did it ever come to this? United under a government we never wanted, never asked for, never voted for? What kind of democracy is this?
The above is a slight exaggeration of how i currently feel towards the European Union. It probably isn't ALL bad, and probably isn't as fascist as some people say it is. However, it was these exact people that sparked this point of discussion. To be more exact, a certain mister Nigel Farage. To those unfamiliar, here's some footage:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsVZ4VepQdg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rG2yzaiqezI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fyq7WRr_GPg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToK4w8FbCtc
Still, what are your opinions? Pro- or Contra? Discuss please