Posted on 06/26/2005 10:24:28 PM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
Rather than pulling themselves into a coalition that can rival the United States in size, the nations of Europe are losing their grip on one another. The European Union can't agree on a budget or a constitution and continues to grumble about the currency too. Up to the point that French and Dutch voters rejected the incomprehensible constitution three weeks ago, the union hasn't run a very democratic operation.
A dilemma Europe faces is its people's desire to be as prosperous as the United States, yet many of its individual countries are determined to preserve socialist policies that have given them high unemployment and slow growth.
French farmers, for example, are getting extreme levels of trade protection, and Paris refuses to force them to compete. British Prime Minister Tony Blair warns that ``if we don't adapt, our social model is put at risk,'' but French President Jacques Chirac calls Blair's vision for Europe ``pathetic and tragic.''
Things aren't likely to get friendlier, either. Questions of monetary policy, tax rates, immigration limits, defense spending and foreign policy are hard enough to decide within one country. Getting multinational agreement may prove impossible.
If it does, there will be no cause for U.S. alarm. The Heritage Foundation suggests Washington pursue an ``economic coalition of the willing'' outside the European Union, similar to the military coalition formed for the Iraq war. It's a good idea
Nations eager for more trade and a stronger economy were hoping that a European Union would facilitate widespread reform. With reform stalling, these countries would be better off aligning themselves with each other and with the United States.
It amazing to watch the French and German moths, flying closer and closer to the flame......
They will burn and crash....like their oversized Airbust.
Our true allies and friends are all East of Germany.
Semper Fi
What kind of glue does the author refer to?
A classic example of doing the wrong thing for the wrong reasons.
The kind he's sniffing.
The European Union: A solution looking for a problem
Dutch hate the Germans....
Wet dream.
I think those going to be suprised who trying to superimpose previous conflicts from hundreds of years ago in Europe.
Of course the rivalry and the competition between the nations are living, but that is rather healthy.
Do not forget those nations actually managed to put aside their differences and become an ever stronger power.
That they have a true democratic meaning (arguments) to sort out their future is also an advantage, because this way it will really represent the people's will.
I guess the EU with close alliance with Russia and China will be a very strong entity in Eurasia.
Then it will be up to the US to give up its superpowerpower status and join in, or become the new category of the "isolated superpower of the North American continent"
It's the hate/envy the U.S. superpower glue.
I can't speak re the Dutch, but the Danes don't like the Krauts.
They'll all be praying to Mecca 5 times a day soon enough, so who cares?
Good point.
But I care.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.