Europeans, how's the EU?

[Will H]

We should never have joined.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don't know much about the specifics, but I remember doing the EU Common Agricultural Policy in geography and what a mess it created, a mess that they're still trying to fix now. That's just one of many.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We joined the EU for the common market, which we needed at the time, so joining then was a good move. Now we need to leave it because it is very restricting of our society. We will not accept the Euro because there seem to be more downsides than upsides, and currently the Sterling is possibly the highest valued currency to date (uncomfirmed, but it is one of the highest), wheras the Euro has lost a lot of value recently.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I shall list a few restrictions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The pint is being turned to ml (which produces a strange number)

 

 

 

Milage is turning to metric (Which most of our drivers are unfamiliar with, so will not know the speed limits)

 

 

 

Many subjects such as Chemistry is being stuffed with health and safety regulations.

 

 

 

Immigration and Emmigration is now out of control, so Britain is losing it's British people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In other words, the EU is squeezing the Britishness out of Britain and turning it to Euroland. Sure, it's to do with pride, but isn't that a good thing? Americans certainly got it right with it's patrioticism, and of course, they are not part of the EU.

[BlueLancer]

being president in EU just means that more money goes to waste for that seat. And if Matti Vanhanen is president of EU.. that doesn't chance a thing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yeah, but by being the president of the EU you can briefly attract more attention to your own country's problem and money issues which is also a political advantage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

^^ which is the exact reason I don't want Britain to adopt the Euro. We would completely lose our worldwide symbol of power, and would be essentially on the same plane, economically, as a country like Andorra, or Latvia (no offense meant to natives of these countries, they're just small).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just as I predicted, most brits just oppose it due to "pride". What makes those nations lesser than Great Britain, just because they're smaller?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We will not accept the Euro because there seem to be more downsides than upsides, and currently the Sterling is possibly the highest valued currency to date (uncomfirmed, but it is one of the highest), wheras the Euro has lost a lot of value recently.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The english pound sterling isn't the highest valued currency (per 1 unit). The most valuable currencies are the Kuwaiti dinar and the Maltese lira which cost over $3 dollars per unit. The British pound sterling costs about $1.98 per unit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quite on the contrary, the euro is gaining strength compared to other currencies (especially the US dollar), and due to political reasons some very oil-rich nations in middle-east (read: Iran) have begun making oil transactions ONLY in the euro currency instead of the US$dollar. Which pressures the USA even further into obtaining euro currency.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

God forbid the whole of OPEC starts using the euro currency for oil transactions, the dollar will mean pretty much nothing.

[pompey_spud]

So what BlueLancer? We have one of the richest histories of any nation. We have accomplished great things, and owned the majority of the globe at one point. Seems as though we are entitled to be proud of our nation, and great currency.

 

 

 

You ask why nations are lesser than GB, just because they're smaller? Well first off, that is not what i meant. If we adopted the Euro, we would be on the same economic level as ridiculously small, and un-industrial countries. I have nothing against them, but in such a situation, they gain a TON, and we simply lose out.

 

 

 

Secondly, call me an idiot if you wish, but I feel we deserve independance, simply because in the past we have fought so hard for it. I think countries like Germany, Belgium, Holland, France, Spain (pretty much most of Western Europe) deserve it also. Most of the Eastern members of the EU are in need of money, and support, which is fair enough, but I do not think the EU does this effectively, as too many of the larger countries either exploit the system, or just lose billions of Euros into it.

 

 

 

I'm assuming you're American? You speak like a native English speaker, and yet are not British, so for the sake of this point I will assume you are American. Can you honestly say, without a shadow of a doubt, that you would be against a tiny country like Andorra adopting the dollar, and being economically on the same plane as one of the world's superpowers? I very much doubt so.

[Will H]

So what BlueLancer? We have one of the richest histories of any nation. We have accomplished great things, and owned the majority of the globe at one point. Seems as though we are entitled to be proud of our nation, and great currency.

 

 

 

You ask why nations are lesser than GB, just because they're smaller? Well first off, that is not what i meant. If we adopted the Euro, we would be on the same economic level as ridiculously small, and un-industrial countries. I have nothing against them, but in such a situation, they gain a TON, and we simply lose out.

 

 

 

Secondly, call me an idiot if you wish, but I feel we deserve independance, simply because in the past we have fought so hard for it. I think countries like Germany, Belgium, Holland, France, Spain (pretty much most of Western Europe) deserve it also. Most of the Eastern members of the EU are in need of money, and support, which is fair enough, but I do not think the EU does this effectively, as too many of the larger countries either exploit the system, or just lose billions of Euros into it.

 

 

 

I'm assuming you're American? You speak like a native English speaker, and yet are not British, so for the sake of this point I will assume you are American. Can you honestly say, without a shadow of a doubt, that you would be against a tiny country like Andorra adopting the dollar, and being economically on the same plane as one of the world's superpowers? I very much doubt so.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I agree with everything you say. We never actually lost the British Empire, we just let them go independant and collectively called them the commonwealth. Also, I never said that the Sterling was definately the strongest currency, just that it was one of the strongest currencies, cerainly stronger than the Euro. We simply lose out too much from it for it to be worth staying in, and us British value independance a lot more than most people can understand (Especially the EU goons in Brussels).

[Pixelled0]

The EU basically means that if we wanted to we can go study in a different member country. We are also supposed to be able to walk from country to country without a passport and we can also work and live in any other member country if we wanted to.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Eu has many laws and directives Like the working time directive in which it makes it illegal for an employer to force an employee to work over a certain amount of hours a week but the Uk gives its workers a choice to opt out of it. It also allows greater movement between countrys.... great for travellers and for trading.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The European Union also helps other countrys such as Romania develop so that when they are of the standard of other countrys they start to pay their money back into it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Theres also the Common agricultural Policy which ensures that all produce by farmers is paid for at a good price or if it isnt sold its bought by the Eu as surplus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Britain in the EU is a good thing as although we have lost money we make it back through the trading we do with the member countrys. We also have many projects in Britain in worst off areas in which the EU part funds a project to help the area out. Although I do not think we should switch to the Euro, I dont think we should be out of the EU because we are helping other countrys which need help.

[Nedich]

So what BlueLancer? We have one of the richest histories of any nation. We have accomplished great things, and owned the majority of the globe at one point. Seems as though we are entitled to be proud of our nation, and great currency.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Richest histories? How much "history" have you studied? :lol: At one time slavery was what kept Britain's economy alive, slavery? You're proud of that are you? So owning the majority of the globe is something to be proud of? Adolf Hitler almost conquered the world yet he is the most hated figure in our world today. Is Germany proud of him?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don't think you mean it but I would watch your mouth if you say things like that in public because what you said could be very offensive to some people. Your example is a bit wrong aswell, you're saying if Andorra adopted the U.S dollar the United States would become the same level economically as Andorra, how did you work that out?

[Lageris89]

 

So what BlueLancer? We have one of the richest histories of any nation. We have accomplished great things, and owned the majority of the globe at one point. Seems as though we are entitled to be proud of our nation, and great currency.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Richest histories? How much "history" have you studied? :lol: At one time slavery was what kept Britain's economy alive, slavery?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Right, because the country would totally collapse without slavery, wouldn't it? Ahaha

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So owning the majority of the globe is something to be proud of? Adolf Hitler almost conquered the world yet he is the most hated figure in our world today. Is Germany proud of him?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hahaha, this doesn't even make sense!

[gunker1991]

I love my European Country called Belgium.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's peacefull and nothing bad ever happens in my neighbourhood.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now there are many diffrences between Europe and the US of A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First of all in my country,we have a king(Albert the 2nd).Nobody actually listens to him.Where your president Bush has some power,our king can simply do nothing but sit in a palace all day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our education is very much strickter then the one in America(my opinion :))

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And let's not forget this:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Will H]

 

 

 

First of all in my country,we have a king(Albert the 2nd).Nobody actually listens to him.Where your president Bush has some power,our king can simply do nothing but sit in a palace all day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How much actual influential power does he have? I'm not really an expert on the constitution of Belgium. We have a Queen, of course, but she's just a figurehead. We are basically a Republic disguised as a Kingdom. We have to, otherwise we would have to change our name to UR instead of UK. Mind you, knowing the EU, they probably want us to boot the Queen as well... :-k

[Nedich]

 

 

So what BlueLancer? We have one of the richest histories of any nation. We have accomplished great things, and owned the majority of the globe at one point. Seems as though we are entitled to be proud of our nation, and great currency.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Richest histories? How much "history" have you studied? :lol: At one time slavery was what kept Britain's economy alive, slavery?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Right, because the country would totally collapse without slavery, wouldn't it? Ahaha

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So owning the majority of the globe is something to be proud of? Adolf Hitler almost conquered the world yet he is the most hated figure in our world today. Is Germany proud of him?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hahaha, this doesn't even make sense!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Care to elaborate on what you mean? How does it not make sense for example. I reported your post but it seems that the mods believe you made a good point.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I *assume* you know we are talking about history though.

[gunker1991]

 

 

 

 

First of all in my country,we have a king(Albert the 2nd).Nobody actually listens to him.Where your president Bush has some power,our king can simply do nothing but sit in a palace all day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How much actual influential power does he have? I'm not really an expert on the constitution of Belgium. We have a Queen, of course, but she's just a figurehead. We are basically a Republic disguised as a Kingdom. We have to, otherwise we would have to change our name to UR instead of UK. Mind you, knowing the EU, they probably want us to boot the Queen as well... :-k

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He has no power..If he doesn't agree to the laws made he will be booted,one king did actually get booted if i remember correctly.He's also more of a figurehead,but the diffrence with the UK is that more people in the UK (to my believes)actually look up to the Queen and praise her.

[Viktorkrum77]

I love my European Country called Belgium.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's peacefull and nothing bad ever happens in my neighbourhood.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now there are many diffrences between Europe and the US of A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First of all in my country,we have a king(Albert the 2nd).Nobody actually listens to him.Where your president Bush has some power,our king can simply do nothing but sit in a palace all day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our education is very much strickter then the one in America(my opinion :))

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And let's not forget this: :

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But yea, Belgium has one of the top school systems in the world. I believe it ranks 3 or 2 in education.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love that pic. : : : :

[Loge_05]

 

 

So owning the majority of the globe is something to be proud of? Adolf Hitler almost conquered the world yet he is the most hated figure in our world today. Is Germany proud of him?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hahaha, this doesn't even make sense!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Care to elaborate on what you mean? How does it not make sense for example. I reported your post but it seems that the mods believe you made a good point.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I *assume* you know we are talking about history though.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quite simply, you cannot compare Britain's history and success with a fascist dictator who murdered millions. You have completely missed the poster's argument; a country like Britain which has one of the most stable currencies and one of the strongest economies in the world, is having rules and legislation imposed on her. Britain is a super-power and does not need managed from Brussels. Hitler comparisons do not fit into this equation.

[pompey_spud]

Richest histories? How much "history" have you studied? :lol: At one time slavery was what kept Britain's economy alive, slavery? You're proud of that are you? So owning the majority of the globe is something to be proud of? Adolf Hitler almost conquered the world yet he is the most hated figure in our world today. Is Germany proud of him?

 

 

 

There are other meanings to the word 'rich'. And slavery did not keep the economy going, it merely made a bunch of captains a lot richer. And yes, owning the majority of the globe is something to be proud of. It shows how powerful, both culturally and by strength of army, we were, and to an extent still are.

 

 

 

Also, Adolf Hitler barely owned half of Europe. Comparing him to the Imperialism of Britain in the past is ridiculous. We started colonies, and started capturing places, simply because we were powerful enough to expand our already massive economy, and needed to fuel it. Hitler simply hated 'inferior sub-humans', such as the Slavs and Jews. Completely different, chalk and cheese and all that.

 

 

 

I don't think you mean it but I would watch your mouth if you say things like that in public because what you said could be very offensive to some people. Your example is a bit wrong aswell, you're saying if Andorra adopted the U.S dollar the United States would become the same level economically as Andorra, how did you work that out?

 

 

 

I think there is a little bit of you misunderstanding, and me not getting my point across well enough going on here. If Andorra, or a similar small country adopted the US Dollar, then their currency would be worth that same as America's. I agree, this is a very capitalist notion, but does it really make sense to have a world power, with one of the largest economies and military mights in the world have a currency worth the same as a pretty low-key country?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also, thanks a lot Loge, and everyone else who helped me. :P

[Nedich]

There are other meanings to the word 'rich'. And slavery did not keep the economy going, it merely made a bunch of captains a lot richer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_s ... of_slavery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perhaps have a little read of that? Let me highlight the first sentence for you Slavery was involved in some of the most profitable industries in history.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And yes, owning the majority of the globe is something to be proud of. It shows how powerful, both culturally and by strength of army, we were, and to an extent still are.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ahh yes "the British way", the "right" way? I suppose thats why just about every major country revolted from Britain, fighting wars for independence etc, for freedom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also, Adolf Hitler barely owned half of Europe. Comparing him to the Imperialism of Britain in the past is ridiculous.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Half of Europe? He conquered all of mainland Europe, and a very large proportion of Africa, Russia and the Middle East. Japan (Germany's Ally) conquered over half of China. Please explain to me how my assertion was ridiculous.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We started colonies, and started capturing places, simply because we were powerful enough to expand our already massive economy, and needed to fuel it. Hitler simply hated 'inferior sub-humans', such as the Slavs and Jews. Completely different, chalk and cheese and all that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you know how India was controlled? With about a 55,000 strong army. The entire of India, thats because the British Empire was based on the fact that the British were superior. You sort of proved the point and I quote "because we were powerful". I suggest you start doing a bit more research on the British Empire. Did you know that in the second Boer War civilians were contained in concentration camps? Thats right the British invented concentration camps.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Boe ... tion_camps

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now can you see why I compared Hitler to the British Empire? Hitler had a deep admiration for the British Empire, perhaps now you can see why.

[BlueLancer]

Sorry, but I must agree with Nedich. If you've read at all the colonial history of the British, you'd see they were perfectly comparable to Hitler's reich and did all of the atrocities just because they had the "right" to (in their own minds)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They would systematically burn down farms and homes of civilians in colonised countries, start concentration camps (like mentioned above) and exploit the population for slavery (which was VERY profitable, and kept the economy going in the States)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not to say the british don't have a sophisticated and fine culture; Their history isn't as sophisticated though.

[pompey_spud]

*cries*

 

 

 

I have just finished 40 minutes of answer-creating, only to have my internet die at the last second, and have all my work lost.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I just don't have the will to do it all again, and for that reason I shall tip my hat and bow out.

[bluuechicken]

The whole point of the EU was to allow a group of countries to trade without all of the tariffs and quotas that have to be paid if you trade with another country.

 

 

 

In simple terms, it was easier and cheaper to get a group of countries together and all decide that they could trade freely between them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Without the EU the state of our economy would be completely different to what it is today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I know that now people in the EU can move freely between the member countries and so many people are against more immigrants as they thinks there's enough already. But what about the cheap labour they provide? Without them, so many businesses wouldn't be able to make enough money to keep trading.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am highly aware of the negatives that some of the laws bring but my point is that the positives greatly outweigh them in my opinion.

[Faux]

How is this going http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20 ... urope.html btw? Is there really a chance of it happening?

[angryjoe]

It's moving scarily quickly to a United federal state of Europe.

I dont see that as a bad thing as long as we keep our culture.

 

 

 

We already have the single market which is pretty helpful and a single government thing would be kind of a good idea. I remember doing it in business but i cant remember what its called :wall:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Im personally all for Europe as long as we keep our culture and the Sterling its all good. It may be a bit biased towards the frogs with farming subsidies at what not but overall I see the EU as good for britain. Of course were not ready yet for a single government but in a few decades or something it would make Europe another superpower (even though by the time it happenes China and India will probably more powerful that all of Europe and the US.

[Will H]

 

It's moving scarily quickly to a United federal state of Europe.

I dont see that as a bad thing as long as we keep our culture.

 

 

 

We already have the single market which is pretty helpful and a single government thing would be kind of a good idea. I remember doing it in business but i cant remember what its called :wall:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Im personally all for Europe as long as we keep our culture and the Sterling its all good. It may be a bit biased towards the frogs with farming subsidies at what not but overall I see the EU as good for britain. Of course were not ready yet for a single government but in a few decades or something it would make Europe another superpower (even though by the time it happenes China and India will probably more powerful that all of Europe and the US.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately the way things are going, the EU is draining our culture. That is why we need to leave it. Britain deserves independance and needs to be left alone. Our pint is threatened to turn into ml. Our miles are being turned to kilometres. Our Sterling is being turned to Euros. Our people are now becoming seriously diluted by immigrants who are denying the local community of jobs. Heck, I think the average tea consumption has dropped!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is nothing to do with money now. It's about preserving something that money can't buy. British culture.

[angryjoe]

Unfortunately the way things are going, the EU is draining our culture. That is why we need to leave it. Britain deserves independance and needs to be left alone. Our pint is threatened to turn into ml. Our miles are being turned to kilometres. Our Sterling is being turned to Euros. Our people are now becoming seriously diluted by immigrants who are denying the local community of jobs. Heck, I think the average tea consumption has dropped!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is nothing to do with money now. It's about preserving something that money can't buy. British culture.

Come on; since when was a system of measurement really culture? I mean granted that we need to keep pints but we still do in some things ie milk and more importantly - beer. I dont see how changing miles to kilometers is a bad thing. And no way while the sterling is such a strong currency will it change to the euro, not as long as we keep Gordon Brown anyway.

 

 

 

And the jobs that immigrants take are the ones that we dont want in most cases such as fast food places and stuff like that. And polish builders take jobs off english ones because of the simple fact that they do a better job for less money. In all honesty half of the english builders that have worked for me (my mum actually lol) or people i know are lazy sods and they take the piss a bit really.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And you will really hate me for saying this but in response to the fact that tea consumption has gone down - I prefer coffee lol :oops: .

[Will H]

 

Unfortunately the way things are going, the EU is draining our culture. That is why we need to leave it. Britain deserves independance and needs to be left alone. Our pint is threatened to turn into ml. Our miles are being turned to kilometres. Our Sterling is being turned to Euros. Our people are now becoming seriously diluted by immigrants who are denying the local community of jobs. Heck, I think the average tea consumption has dropped!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is nothing to do with money now. It's about preserving something that money can't buy. British culture.

Come on; since when was a system of measurement really culture? I mean granted that we need to keep pints but we still do in some things ie milk and more importantly - beer. I dont see how changing miles to kilometers is a bad thing. And no way while the sterling is such a strong currency will it change to the euro, not as long as we keep Gordon Brown anyway.

 

 

 

And the jobs that immigrants take are the ones that we dont want in most cases such as fast food places and stuff like that. And polish builders take jobs off english ones because of the simple fact that they do a better job for less money. In all honesty half of the english builders that have worked for me (my mum actually lol) or people i know are lazy sods and they take the piss a bit really.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And you will really hate me for saying this but in response to the fact that tea consumption has gone down - I prefer coffee lol :oops: .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ok, I take back the kilometers/miles thing, that was a tad over the top.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, immigration does provide with good cheap labour, but the problem is that immigration is increasing, and will increase as long as we stay in the EU and the EU invites more and more countries that are quite desperate for employment. This will result in more and more potentially local jobs going instead for a foreigner, simply because they are cheap labour. Sure at first they go for the jobs local people don't really want to do, but as immigration increases, the more popular jobs will start going too. Before we know it, our local community will start to emigrate due to the lack of jobs. In fact, it's already happening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also, you prefer coffee instead of tea? :evil: I am going to hunt you down. :twisted:

 

 

 

jk O:)