Author Topic: Constitution Deadlock Plunges EU Summit Into Gloom (Read 228 times)

AKIron · « **on:** December 12, 2003, 10:00:38 AM »

Is anyone even remotely surprised by this?

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=3983367

"BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union's landmark summit to agree a first constitution was plunged into gloom almost as soon as it began on Friday as leaders stood their ground in a bitter battle over their nations' voting rights."

fd ski · « **Reply #1 on:** December 12, 2003, 10:14:56 AM »

I'm ashamed to say but poland is being stupid about this.

EU made a serious mistake in Nicee and now is paying for it.

Growing pains, last i checked USA didn't go from colony to what we have now with smile on its face and nice pawed road.

Makes you happy Iron, doesn't it ?

AKIron · « **Reply #2 on:** December 12, 2003, 10:21:50 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by fd ski
I'm ashamed to say but poland is being stupid about this.

EU made a serious mistake in Nicee and now is paying for it.

Growing pains, last i checked USA didn't go from colony to what we have now with smile on its face and nice pawed road.

Makes you happy Iron, doesn't it ?

And I didn't even use a smiley.

Actually, it doesn't make me happy but it does prove the level of self interest abiding in some European nations. This proof provides a certain sense of vindiction that said nations are interested ONLY in their own well being.

JBA · « **Reply #3 on:** December 12, 2003, 10:23:23 AM »

The US had the constitution of Massachusetts (the first in the new land) and the Federalist papers, to work out he bugs before the Final constitution was wrighting.
Good Luck EU. you've got bigger problems with you Economy at 1% expansion then you do with how you all will play together.

fd ski · « **Reply #4 on:** December 12, 2003, 10:27:25 AM »

Actually, it doesn't make me happy but it does prove the level of self interest abiding in some European nations. This proof provides a certain sense of vindiction that said nations are interested ONLY in their own well being.

Well, isn't the "states rights" issues we have here a left over of the very same thing ?

USA had a benefit of most states being populated by people of similar heretige, history and values. Not quite the same in europe. And off course, you never had New Jersey invade it's neighours twice and kill as many people as they could

Anyway.... those issues will pass. Some say it's the end of EU, i don't believe it.
I think compromise to change the voting system in few years will be reached. I just wish they would drop the stupid "EU is based on GOD" issue they are fighting over.

As for budgetary issues with France and Germany, kinda ironic actually. Germany made it a sticking point of Euro pact that 3% deficit would be a limit. Few years later they have a problem with it. They should have been punished, symbilically but punished, even if it didn't add up to much moneywise.

AKIron · « **Reply #5 on:** December 12, 2003, 10:39:48 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by fd ski

Well, isn't the "states rights" issues we have here a left over of the very same thing ?

I wouldn't call "states rights" a "left over" and I'm not sure what you are implying by this. Anyhow, yes, our states have certainly disagreed on occasion, even so far as to go to war over the disagreements as little as 140 years ago. Maybe it's not possible to lead a collection of nations with one government without war on occasion or a heavy handed oppressive government. Time will continue to tell.