NorthernGent
Posts: 8730
Joined: 7/10/2006 Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Raechard The point I was really making is similar to the point I make about entering the Euro scheme; that if the people setting interest rates are setting them from afar then who are they setting them for? If some part of Europe is slowing down but other parts booming then what one interest rate is going to suit? I agree that it's a nonsense to have a single interest rate across economies of varying strengths. My issue is on praticality, rather than a perceived view that the leaders of the EU are any more or less capable of self-interest than the leaders of England. quote:
ORIGINAL: Raechard They will set them only to benefit the people local to them that they care more about. I think this one's a red herring, because you could apply the same argument to our government in London - why would people who live in London care any more about Northerners than those living in say Brussels or Paris? quote:
ORIGINAL: Raechard Leftist nonsense that we can save the world by making everyone equally poor is the ethos behind the EU. Very much wide of the mark. The aim of the EU is to ensure the prosperity of Europeans for generations to come. Now, whether you believe the EU is an appropriate vehicle for achieving this, is another matter. Personally, I'd like to the EU have a limited place with co-ordinating responsibilities in areas such as climate change, common trade interests etc. In terms of law, taxation, interest rates etc, I do not want to see us hand over power to manage our economy. We have a small voice in the EU? You must be joking. Which nation's model do you think the Germans and French are busy copying? and why do they continue to court us when the message they get over and over again from our government is one of indifference to them? Because they need us in there, and that's not just because of the strength of our economy, but because of our influence around the world. People still listen to our government because they have respect around the world for being superb administrators; they may be talking utter shite half of the time, but foreign dignitaries go away impressed because our polticians present their case in such a way that it appears they know exactly what they're talking about. Britain still punches above its weight in the world arena. Think of how many pies our government has its fingers in: good relations with the oil rich countries in the Middle East, good relations with the United States, courted by the continental Europeans even though we consistently offer indifference to them, advanced trade with Russia (regardless of the current tit-for-tat), well devleoped links with China and well placed to tap into India. Regardless of their shortcomings, the people who run our country have a history of being more than decent statesmen, and the continental Europeans are well aware of this. quote:
ORIGINAL: Raechard Besides the EU is a trading block but now it is a trading block with access to our phone calls information. Big brother and bigger brother. Our government is not averse to gathering information for whatever purposes they see fit, so I'd say the above is another red herring. If your issue is control over your life; I don't think the EU is any more or less equipped and willing to take control than the government in London.
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I have the courage to be a coward - but not beyond my limits. Sooner or later, the man who wins is the man who thinks he can.
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