Javierdude22: I feel compelled to react on the euforia regarding former communist countries joining the EU. Yes, considering our geographical European past, it is quite something that only little more than a decade ago we were on opposite sides of the fence, and that we have now thje opportunity to join forces.
However, that is a rhetoric I'm hearing a bit too often, also in the opinion magazines, as if that annulls any objection to the entry of these ten. The wall has been torn down 15 years ago, but we seem to relive it as though it was still there, a bit dramatically.
I consider myself to be a leftist on inside politics but more centre on anything foreign, bad maybe but true. In the past two years I have grown more used to the EU, at least for the potential it could have, not the way it is executed now. I welcome more cooperacion with eachother, on as many grounds as possible, but it needs to be done right.
Right now we are seriously disagreeing on foreign policy, a pivotal issue in the EU, the EU constitution, the European Commission, Agricultural reform, the Stability Pact, the future EU budget, and let's not forget about Turkey. I nwon't even mention how continous policy on the EU economy is failing at the moment. Liberal countries (I mean economy wise) like the Netherlands are being held back by chicken shits in France and Germany who are scared of any kind of reform (which will be inevitable in the future) because of votes and strikes. Those damn French will strike over anything, but dammit, just do it. They however press their stance on most of Europe, so we don't reform either.
A lot of the issues will prove manageable though, I am hopefull for that, I just don't think it is wise to postpone them or deal with them with an even larger group.
I agree with John that the new members could use some serious investment, but that is not just something that depdends on the EU, it also depends on their attractiveness and others willing to invest. They say we will reap the benefits as well, but who is we? Consumers? I doubt that.
If consumers would benefit directly as well, than the little economics I have had would imagine foodprices dropping sharply. I mean after all, Poland has more farmers than the EU put together, producing all sorts of goods much cheaper right? Wrong. I bet we'll see a dime or two being knocked off a few vegetables and meats, while Unilever and Ahold, and whatever other supermarket chain in Europe report record profits. Lets see if thatll get us more jobs.
I guess I've figured out my objection as I write this. The only ones that benefit directly from this are companies. Economic law then says thatll get us more jobs. Maybe, but how many? And will that help justify a loss in jobs because of inmigration, will it justify cultural shifts, higher crime, slower legislature etc. I guess we'll see, not much we can do now. These are not per se complaints I have, apart from the cultural shifts thing, but they áre complaints many Dutch, Belgians, Danish etc have.
A question I do have for the people on the board is: where do we stop?
After Romania and Bulagria? After the Balkan? After Turkey? Or, as the Economist dared to say, after Russia?. That dumbass writer should be fired.
I am kinda surprised and sad to see not very many people on the board have an opinion on this. I am really interested in this topic, and really interested in hearing views of fellow Europeans, and also very much the view of our felloow Americans on this. What do you think of the European views, happiness, complaints.
Come on!
Javier
