Fair is Fair, a question for Europe

[Bereta_Eder]

Sloww-that was what the americans were saying when the europeans were drafting the common currency blueprints decades ago.

no american (and many europeans) believed it would ever happen and yet here I am with (very few )but still EU coins...

[SlowwHand]

And it only took decades. WTG!

[Bereta_Eder]

yes, decades

so little time indeed considering the olympic task it was

[rah]

Yes, originally I was one of those that chuckled when a common currency was proposed. I though, yeah France will go along with that.

But I was wrong about that, and while I'm still skeptical about further unification, I can't entirely rule it out.

RAH

[Bereta_Eder]

actually the "axis" (don't make nasty thoughts now) of Berlin - Paris is what kept the EU going...
and still does to a large extend.

[MikeH]

Originally posted by SlowwHand
Not really, Mike. It's just a viewpoint. When has Europe ever worked as one?
It's just an observation of the facts.

I think it's an observation of the segment of the EU population that doesn't want to work together but not of the growing understanding between EU countries. It's possible it won't work but at the moment it's working ok. I don't think you can prove it based on what's happened historically. There's always a first time for something to work.

And yes, it's a Berlin/Paris axis at the moment. If the UK was fully behind it as well who knows what could happen?

[Bereta_Eder]

The UK always had reservations becasue of some reasons (of different importance each)
as

its belief that it can exist better as a 100% nation state being outside continental europe
its "Special" relationship with the US
its "traditional" rivalry with some european countries


so far the UK WAITS untill the EU is succesful in something and THEN enters when it is sure it will gain from it and it will be better off than before.

it happened when the EU was formed, i think it will happen agaion with the euromoney.


but basically the UK takes the *slap* as being the one country that holds back further EU integration for its own shortsighted and tottally national interests.

of course this is an exageration although it does hold some truth but not so much as some believe.

lately it has become somewhat fashionable to badmouth the UK for something other EU countries have reservations also.

generally the feeling is like the UK doesnt take any "risk" in EU integration as other Eu countries do so it shouldnot take any "benefits"

[ZoboZeWarrior]

EU isn't finished okay ... It took time to have a common currency, certe !

But don't forget than european country where at war 50 y ago.
We have different language and each country is carrying a long history. The task is not easy.

[SlowwHand]

The U.K. should be taking the lead.
Of course, that will lead to the same type criticism that the U.S. endures. They'll just have to get used to it.

[Bereta_Eder]

why should anyone take the lead and of all others the UK?

it is a collective effort and the point is to, exactly, step out of this mentality

if nothing else, france should be taking the lead for being the frontrunner of usch grandiose effort. the UK should be tied up and stoned to oblivion for constituting an obstacle to further peace and prosperity of europe (stoned as in throwing rocks at it)

[MikeH]

I agree, we (the UK) should be penalised for being complete arses about the whole thing.

[Roland]

If we start with coal and steel, the EU is now maybe 50 years old. Well, it took the Yanks from 1776 to 1865 to come up with a clear single federal entity - so I guess we can take our time, can't we ?

[MikeH]

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by SlowwHand
The U.K. should be taking the lead.

Why should they be taking a lead? They pay in more money than they get out in benefits.

[SlowwHand]

You really and truly want the freaking French to take the lead?

You then deserve what you get.