Finally the world is getting back to the concept established for centuries. Bigger is better and means more power. The Ottoman empire was a perfect example of that additionally so was the chinese. The concept of the nation state is seen as a failure in light of the Western ideologies on racism, facism and communism based on the superiority of the white culture.
I must say I believe France will vote Yes and i will be damn happy. The EU will now have a stronger mandate to enforce foriegn policy then it did in the past. It would also mean that the ECJ would be considered the supreme judicial body and considering the rate of inhuman laws passed in the past couple of years, it would be a welcome change to stem the tide of xenophobia.
The EU is like a bunch of drunks holding each other up.
The EU may have a "Foreign Policy mandate", but they have no military and no economic engine. So perhaps they have a Whining Mandate", but they are increasingly unimportant, except in their own minds.
And if you have to have an 800 page consitution, there is something wrong. Not a very compelling concept if it takes 800 pages to explain. The lawyers are happy however.
More than likely you will have an immigration backlash until unemployment is reduced. Chirac is missing the point, and this "leader for life" needs to get voted out.
Expert hardly? It will signify finally the death of the nation state system which i am personally very happy with. The nation state system has lead to the majority of the wars along with decolonization.
Additionally it will make life easier when it comes to the WTO, UN and other international agreements. To mention make market access more accessible to developing country exports.
OG never heard of the EMU? Or the fact that the EU has been a customs union for the past 20 odd years?
Stu honestly i said US can't you read or you been taking too much viagra? And i honestly don't hope France says no.
The problem Mr Ambassador is that the WTO, and the EU, and the tangle of government entities has not created an economy that employs people. Asia is kicking their a$$, and India is not doing badly either. While the Europeans contemplate their navels there are countries who work harder and faster with less government overhead.
Let's not forget, far more than the US, Germany and France supported the likes of Saddam, even though they have gotten off scot-free from that responsibility. You just like their holier-than-thou attitude, despite the facts.
Go have a latte and bicth about the US, the EU certainly lead in that activity....
But sweetheart the job of the WTO is not to create a viable and sustainable economy. Look up the mandate of the WTO and no i don't mean the World Tourism Organization. If Asia and India are doing so well why are they taking the EU to the WTO DSB every 2 years? The EU is the hottest market for agriculture and textiles exports from Asia.
I am discussing the nature of the EU constitution. But why do you care your govt violates its own constitution on daily basis. Why are you getting your panties in a bunch?
These hurdles and stumbles are natural for the EU eventually they will reach their goal of a united europe, expect a few more stumbles along this journey it will one of many but its the right journey for them.
The EU has economic troubles that one more layer of government will not solve. Unemployment for those under 25 years of age is well over 20%. Your constitution may provide some intellectual masterbation, but the needs of the people, particularly the next working generation are not being met. That is a formula for failure.
I hope the economy looks up over there. That way the US will not have eurotrash refugees looking for jobs over here....
Well compare the exchange rate, the trade balance and the nature of trade and you would want to reconsider your comments on Eurotrash as they seem to be in the lead.
25 years old over 20% does apply to the EU-15 or the EU-10? Statistics, the best tools which you can lie with.
In March 2005, the unemployment rate for under-25s was 19.2% in the euro-zone and 19.1% in the EU25. In March 2004 it was 18.2% and 18.9% respectively. The lowest rates for under-25s were observed in Denmark (7.1% in February), Ireland (8.0%) and the Netherlands (9.1% in February) and the highest in Poland (36.4%), Slovakia (27.6%), Greece (26.2% in December 2004) and Italy (24.0% in December 2004).
Eurostat estimates that, in March 2005, 12.8 million men and women were unemployed in the euro-zone and 19.1 million in the EU25. These are seasonally-adjusted figures in line with ILO criteria.
In March 2005, the US unemployment rate was 5.2% and the Japanese rate was 4.5%.
Numbers that bad eventually lead to revolution and rebellion.
There were 7.7 million on the unemployment roles in the US last month.
It is fun to see CM and his minions dance. Everything they say can be turned around to display their incomprehension and expose their anti-US look agenda for what it is. I am just wondering when they will stop. Although it is quite amusing, I do feel a little guilty having a laugh at their expense.