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laurentius is offline laurentius
King
Helsinki, Finland
Jun 2001
time: 07:20
  Old Post 27-10-2004 21:17
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Trip: Luckily Pekka is in the minority

Pekka is offline Pekka
Chieftain
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Feb 2002
time: 07:20
  Old Post 27-10-2004 21:18
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Tripledoc, this is true. And proves my point yet again. We need to allie with several countries only to counter one. Enough said.

I'm not nationalistic. I'm realistic, who thinks we shouldn't mess up things because of unrealistic utopia for decades to come in our own country. I think we can go along with the whole union thing, but we need to change things inside, and we need to make it work for us as well, and the rest of the small countries.

I'm seeing a lot of passive aggressive imperialism here, in the name of good. ****, sounds like the new communism, but this time with more money.

Pekka is offline Pekka
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Feb 2002
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  Old Post 27-10-2004 21:19
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Got spare money?

laurentius, you think I am?

Keep on dreaming.

laurentius is offline laurentius
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Helsinki, Finland
Jun 2001
time: 07:20
  Old Post 27-10-2004 21:19
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I can point out one flaw in my proposal and it is this:

The parliament might not find good people to fill the memberstates vacancy on the Comission and thus it might elect someone more qualified from a third country.

This might create PR problems.

laurentius is offline laurentius
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Helsinki, Finland
Jun 2001
time: 07:20
  Old Post 27-10-2004 21:23
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quote:
Originally posted by Pekka
laurentius, you think I am?

Keep on dreaming.


Well who is with you? The True Finns? The Vapaan Suomen liitto? Other ultra-right parties? Or perhaps the two real communists there are in Finland?

I will resume dreming tonight at 12 PM

Combat Ingrid is offline Combat Ingrid
Chieftain
Satan's Majestic Empire
Nov 2001
time: 06:20
  Old Post 27-10-2004 21:28
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quote:
Originally posted by Pekka
Tripledoc, this is true. And proves my point yet again. We need to allie with several countries only to counter one. Enough said.


Which shows the need for a federal EU

Pekka is offline Pekka
Chieftain
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Feb 2002
time: 07:20
  Old Post 27-10-2004 21:29
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I haven't said we should get out of EU, at least not in this thread. I've said EU is not fair for us now. But I guess you don't want to be a Finn. I AM a Finn and so are you, even if you want to deny the fact and want to be French, or European only, or World Citizen. That's dreaming. That's naive, and that's reaching utopia that will only results into destruction rather than anything good at the end. Like communism, good idea, but doesn't work. But wait.. weren't you with the Left Alliance anyway? Right.....................

I have no representation as far as parties go. But a lot of people agree with me, that EU is not fair with us, but you seem to be bending over and telling everyone else to shut up. I think the minority is the butty boys, no offense to gay people.

See, you are willing to sacrifice us in the name of EU for a bigger goal. While it seems like a nobel thing, it's not realistic. If it doesn't work, the grand Utopia, then what's left with us after that? Just a bunch of sore butt holes for bending over. I rather not.

Like I said, let's keep being in the EU, but we must CHANGE things so we can be also a realistic player in it, not the spectator. I didn't know you hated Finland and Finns so much, that you deny their rightful player status in the EU. But I guess you'd prefer referring us as Europeans rather than with our nationality. In that, you are MINORITY in here, no matter what you say. That's just a fact and if you claim otherwise, good luck.

Of course a reasonable person would label me as ULTRA RIGHT WING, because I say yes I'm Finnish and I'm proud of it. I look out for us, and not some grand entity that is not real, at least not yet. But good thing about people like me is, that I also look out for you, even though you don't want to. Of course, ULTRA RIGHT WING is considered as Nazi, anti immigrant and all those things, whcih only makes sense after I said that yes I'm a Finn first, European next and I believe keeping our power with us as long as needed, and if needed, forever.

Kuciwalker is offline Kuciwalker
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Feb 2001
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  Old Post 27-10-2004 21:30
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quote:
Originally posted by alva
quote:
By what right does a Frenchman get to tell a Finn what to do?

Then, of course, by what right does a Finn in Helsinki get to tell a Finn in some other city what to do?


How is this different from, say, Cafifornia vs Idaho?


Did you miss my other post where I explained when a union should occur?

Pekka is offline Pekka
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Feb 2002
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  Old Post 27-10-2004 21:30
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Combat Ingrid, depends how much power is left in the 'states'. I might be for it, I might be against it, I need to know the whole deal before it happens.

Pekka is offline Pekka
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  Old Post 27-10-2004 21:41
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And as for EU not being hypocrite and hostile at the same time.. just look at this thread. I'm saying France and Germany has way too much power and the small countries are being run over. Of course this is an outrage to point out, it's not true naturally and I'm being a nationalist nazi. You just can't reason with these TRUE EUROS, because they don't want to hear you out, they SLAM you in the face if you criticize the EU or bring out a view where you see that EU is not working correctly.

CAN'T BE TRUE! WHY CAN'T YOU JUST GET WITH THE PROGRAM! ****, looks like I'm the dissident in here. And as a democracy this STILL is, I'm the important voice and ya'll just sheeps. Sounds unfair and stupid? That's why EU is also hypocrite, let's just see how many of you have given negative comments about Americans who support Bush. It's the EXACTLY same thing and war doesn't change it. You're imperialist at the cost of others.

And you claim Tony Blair is the lapdog of Bush? Read this thread, the hypocrism Unbelievable. But why should I have a say, I'm just a ultra right wing nazi who believes in burning and gassing people, right? Regimes killed most people = communists. People in the left = communists. TRUE EUROS = massmurderes! OMG!
Makes sense as much as the right wing comment.

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Chieftain
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Nov 2001
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  Old Post 27-10-2004 21:48
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Pekka, you are clearly the most hostile in this thread
However, since I too come from a small, glorious country, I understand your issue with the power balance.
I also think that the big states (Germany, France et al.) SHOULD have more power than states like Sweden and Finland. otherwise it would be very undemocratic towards their citizens, who are many more then thos of Sweden and Finland combined.

And that's one of the reasons I'm so much in favour of a federal EU. The large states would still have the most power, but they would no longer be able to dominate the small ones

Pekka is offline Pekka
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  Old Post 27-10-2004 21:56
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hostile? I didn't tell anyone to **** off. I didn't call anyone bad names, and if someone is offended being called TRUE EURO, too bad.

"I also think that the big states (Germany, France et al.) SHOULD have more power than states like Sweden and Finland. otherwise it would be very undemocratic towards their citizens, who are many more then thos of Sweden and Finland combined."

Uhh this is the fundamental problem I have. So, this is just for the bigger countries to have a say in smalle rcountries, while smaller countries don't have the same power. Yes. I have a problem with that. I don't know what that has to do with democracy. The implementation of words and democracy, union etc are really not hitting home now.

It comes down to this. Other folks can influence on my stuff, but I can't do it back to them. Don't seen right to me. For the greater good? What greater good? Good for thsoe people, not good for me.

laurentius is offline laurentius
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Jun 2001
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  Old Post 27-10-2004 21:56
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quote:
Originally posted by Pekka
I haven't said we should get out of EU, at least not in this thread. I've said EU is not fair for us now. But I guess you don't want to be a Finn. I AM a Finn and so are you, even if you want to deny the fact and want to be French, or European only, or World Citizen. That's dreaming. That's naive, and that's reaching utopia that will only results into destruction rather than anything good at the end.


Mind telling us how EU is not fair for us? Being a Finn is more of a cultural than a genetic thing for me. While I respect my own culture and understand the special needs Finns have in the EU I dont want to fortify myself and other Finns from outside influence. The concept of being a Finn as you seem to understand it is actually quite new and dates back to the national awakening of Europe and the whole world back in the 19th century. This narrow eyed nationalism fails to recognise the fact that in Europe Cultures, Genes, Ideas, Technologies and Religion are in fact quite common and have never, NEVER recognised any national borders or soveigrenity. I think ranting how the "outsiders" or "foreigners" steal away our ability national decisions is very naive in the sence that we never really have had one. All of us must work under the same sun. Everyone gets the plague, everyone gets the wheel and the agriculture. And by the way, our national economy was sold out in the 1990ties so you are ten years late my friend. The economic decisions are already made elsewhere.

This is the core problem. The desperate and pointless struggle for national institutions like own currency, thats whats hurting everyone. The problem is the uncontrolled Capitalism and the free flow of capital and shares wich moves decision making away from the people, to the trust boards and executive boards over the Atlantic and beyond. Thats what needs to be controlled. EU is here not to make peoples life harder but to smooth things out and pave the way for better life, more jobs, more individual freedom and in my dreams more grass-root democracy.

quote:

I have no representation as far as parties go. But a lot of people agree with me, that EU is not fair with us, but you seem to be bending over and telling everyone else to shut up. I think the minority is the butty boys, no offense to gay people.

I think your views of EU are twisted enough to hinder anyone from agreeing with you, except some americans.

quote:

See, you are willing to sacrifice us in the name of EU for a bigger goal. While it seems like a nobel thing, it's not realistic. If it doesn't work, the grand Utopia, then what's left with us after that? Just a bunch of sore butt holes for bending over. I rather not.


You keeps referring to some sort of anal penetration. Perhaps thats how you like it.

I have never said anyone should be sacrificed, you just dont give me any specific things youd like to hold on to, you just keep saying "EU isnt fair to us" like some little baby. The bigger goal here is to unite Europe to prevent things like WW2.

quote:

Like I said, let's keep being in the EU, but we must CHANGE things so we can be also a realistic player in it, not the spectator. I didn't know you hated Finland and Finns so much, that you deny their rightful player status in the EU. But I guess you'd prefer referring us as Europeans rather than with our nationality. In that, you are MINORITY in here, no matter what you say. That's just a fact and if you claim otherwise, good luck.


Ofcourse we must change things. But you have to let go of the Finns against the other - attitude. It will get you nowhere. I love my people, I love this country. I would die for this country, but I also love Europe. Thank God I dont have to choose.

Pekka is offline Pekka
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Feb 2002
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  Old Post 27-10-2004 22:11
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"Mind telling us how EU is not fair for us?"

Where should I start. Oh yeah, some people can break the rules and regulations, while others can't withotu being penalized. Seems unfair to me.

"Being a Finn is more of a cultural than a genetic thing for me."

Yes, mostly cultural thing for me as well. Genetics doesn't mean so much personally.

" I dont want to fortify myself and other Finns from outside influence."

I have no problems at cultural influence, ****, we could use it, it's too homogenic at the moment. Political influence? That I don't agree with, UNLESS we get to return the favour with the same ratio. Unless we can realistically be at that decision making table, and have veto as well, then I can't see that as an option.

"This narrow eyed nationalism fails to recognise the fact that in Europe Cultures, Genes, Ideas, Technologies and Religion are in fact quite common and have never, NEVER recognised any national borders or soveigrenity."

Nationalism? What nationalism? in that same sentiment we are all world citizens. Yeah, sounds nice, but is non-existing.

" I think ranting how the "outsiders" or "foreigners" steal away our ability national decisions is very naive in the sence that we never really have had one."

Yes we do, and you're undermining it right now, as a tool to justify the outside influence to our independent decision making. Others can say what they want, but they shouldn't be able to command in any sense of the word.

" The economic decisions are already made elsewhere.

So? I'm talking about political decisions.

"I think your views of EU are twisted enough to hinder anyone from agreeing with you, except some americans."

Well, at least I'm not taking it up the ass.

"You keeps referring to some sort of anal penetration. Perhaps thats how you like it."

I just call it as I see it. Call it lollipops, bu if your butt hurts, it must be a new kind of lollipop.

"I have never said anyone should be sacrificed, you just dont give me any specific things youd like to hold on to, you just keep saying "EU isnt fair to us" like some little baby. The bigger goal here is to unite Europe to prevent things like WW2."

Prevent WW2, is this why we need EU? Not anymore. This danger has outlived itself. If you believe in this threat, and at the same time blame me for believing threat of losing our own power, which is more realistic?
If this WW2 type of scenario exists still, then why are we doing other things than just strictly preventing this one from happening? and EU isn't fair. Why some of the big countries don't have to pay for the full membership? Why we pay full membership? Why are we paying the EXTRA that is left from those discounts some get? Doesn't seem very pragmatic to me. I don't want to pick someone elses bill. They can afford it, so they should pay it and not milk the small ones.

"Ofcourse we must change things. But you have to let go of the Finns against the other - attitude."

So why are you trying to fight me? Why do you want to give our power away? Why do you want some outsiders influence on our political decisions and in fact prefer it? It's not Finns against others. I'm Pro Finn. I'm for us, nto against everyone else. There's a fundamental difference.

"Thank God I dont have to choose."

other one comes first. Finland comes first for me. Europe second.

Spiffor is offline Spiffor
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  Old Post 27-10-2004 22:37
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quote:
Originally posted by Pekka
" Just like there is no "French bloc" "

Yes there will be. Don't be so freaking naive.

1. There is a European Parliament, and there has been since the beginning of the EEC. The EP is directly elected by the people since 1979. There is no need to use future tense, because the EP has 25 years of experience behind it.

2. In those 25 years, I have never heard of national blocs. There is a nationalist bloc, to be sure, but even it transcends borders. The EP is cut according to ideological differences, not according to national ones.

3. There is no "French ideology" or "Finnish ideology". In western Europe, the political spectra are similar from country to country, and they aren't that much different in Central and Eastern Europe. The local political cultures affect the ideologies a bit (Brits will generally be more prone to free-market policies than Swedes), yet all countries are divided between conservatives and progressists, between Capitalists and Social-democrats, with the more-or-less-important presence of Greens, Communists, Centrist-liberals and fascists.

If Finland elects one fascist at the European Parliament, what do you think it will do? Do you think it will agree with a Finnish Socialist MEP against a German fascist? Or do you think he will side with other European fascists against socialist policies?

laurentius is offline laurentius
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Jun 2001
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  Old Post 27-10-2004 22:40
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quote:
Originally posted by Pekka

Where should I start. Oh yeah, some people can break the rules and regulations, while others can't withotu being penalized. Seems unfair to me.


You must be referring to the deficits certain countries have been allowed to have. I never said the Unions is perfect. Yes its a problem, but its more of a cosmetic one. The regulations, the limits, they were too tight. They should have never been approved in the first place. They were not dynamic enough to bend according to the economic realities such as structural problems some countries have and the fact that very many economists believe that in times of slower growth or more difficult economic times it is good for the government to not cut its spending but increase it to make public demand act as catalyst to get the economy growing again. The rules simply did not allow governments to do such maneuvres, and voila, European economic growth is pathetic and unbearably lies on private consumtion.

Its the mass media who simplifies things and gets its facts wrong due to incompetent reporters and editors. Its better not to believe everything they tell you.

quote:

I have no problems at cultural influence, ****, we could use it, it's too homogenic at the moment. Political influence? That I don't agree with, UNLESS we get to return the favour with the same ratio. Unless we can realistically be at that decision making table, and have veto as well, then I can't see that as an option.


This is where we disagree. I think we have to come to terms with the political reality here. We are simply too small to have any influence on the world politics acting alone. MASS is power as always. Being part of a bigger whole makes our voice being heard too.

I belive EU should deal with the big issues like Foreign relations, Military, Monetary policy etc. things like that. The more domestic and local decisions should be still be done here. This allowes our national parliamants and governments to concentrate on more pressing local affairs that right now its possible.

Do you honestly think I dont mean the good for us? We must get whats ours, yes, but drop the illusions that we are equal with the big countries. Dont be a megalomaniac.


quote:

Nationalism? What nationalism? in that same sentiment we are all world citizens. Yeah, sounds nice, but is non-existing.


??

quote:

Yes we do, and you're undermining it right now, as a tool to justify the outside influence to our independent decision making. Others can say what they want, but they shouldn't be able to command in any sense of the word.


We are already being commanded by different instances. Look at North Korea, they are like you, refuse to interact with the outside world. Way to go

quote:

"I think your views of EU are twisted enough to hinder anyone from agreeing with you, except some americans."

Well, at least I'm not taking it up the ass.

"You keeps referring to some sort of anal penetration. Perhaps thats how you like it."

I just call it as I see it. Call it lollipops, bu if your butt hurts, it must be a new kind of lollipop.


Dude, seriously. Is there something you would like to tell us? Did they guys in the army make you play "house" with them?

quote:

Prevent WW2, is this why we need EU? Not anymore. This danger has outlived itself. If you believe in this threat, and at the same time blame me for believing threat of losing our own power, which is more realistic?
If this WW2 type of scenario exists still, then why are we doing other things than just strictly preventing this one from happening? and EU isn't fair. Why some of the big countries don't have to pay for the full membership? Why we pay full membership? Why are we paying the EXTRA that is left from those discounts some get? Doesn't seem very pragmatic to me. I don't want to pick someone elses bill. They can afford it, so they should pay it and not milk the small ones.


As I said thats one of the things EU is here for. I think your own behaviour only shows this threat hasent outlived itself.

I dont think you or many other people know excatly what we pay and what we get. There are lot of things the statistics dont tell us about.

Spiffor is offline Spiffor
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  Old Post 27-10-2004 22:51
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quote:
Originally posted by Kuciwalker
This is really what it breaks down to:

By what right does a Frenchman get to tell a Finn what to do?

Then, of course, by what right does a Finn in Helsinki get to tell a Finn in some other city what to do?

You nailed the question very well

quote:
Etc., etc. This essentially leads to the conclusion that we must live in an anarchy in which nonetheless individual liberties are not violated, which is a contradiction.

That's one conclusion, but not the conclusion. There are different conclusions, depending on the answer you give to the questions above. Or more precisely, the question is:
"What are the common issues that deserve to be treated collectively, and who should voice opinions in treating these issues?"

For example, in the EU (which is a Common Market), it seems like a no-brainer that our tolls should be unified (and they are), and that our trade policy toward the rest of the world should be unified (and it is). We, French, Finns, Brits, Maltese etc, as we are living in a common market, also live under a common trade policy. And all of our governments are associated in determining that policy, with a power semi-proportional to the population they represent.

quote:
However, simply permitting the opposite - that the Frenchmen get to tell the Finns what to do by virtue of there being more Frenchmen - leads to the unacceptable conclusion of us be required to submit ourselves immediately to world opinion.

This is a flawed reasoning. European institutions should not decide about non-collective issues. For example, European institutions have nothing to do promoting abortions in countries that ban them. For example, the EU has nothing to do with banning Spanish bull-fighting. This is why the EU needs to have its competences made clear.

quote:
The middle ground is a limited democratic state over people who have decided that ultimately they have the same interests, that protects individual liberties. Once two or more groups of people have decided that they do ultimately have the same interests, and that they trust the other groups not to exploit them, a union between the groups can form simply a larger democracy.

This is why the EU should not become wholly integrated for now (and maybe never). However, it seems the Belgians / Dutch / Luxemburgers can have this trust, and my gut feeling tells me that the French and Germans do so as well. I think it is possible for those countries to form a Federation.
To impose a Federation onto others, however, would be utterly stupid. Especially the Brits, who consider the EU is very well off as a haggling organization, where every country tries to outsmart the others and get as many advantages as possible.

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  Old Post 27-10-2004 23:06 Visit BeBro's homepage!
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quote:
Originally posted by Pekka
I haven't said we should get out of EU, at least not in this thread. I've said EU is not fair for us now.


I agree, Finland should pay as much for the EU as Germany

Kuciwalker is offline Kuciwalker
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  Old Post 28-10-2004 00:04
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quote:
Originally posted by laurentius
Hey, why dont you shut up.


Because I'm not the hypocrite.

quote:
I believe that everyone in the world are responsible to others. This means that we are the ones who dictate the world opinion. Whats the use for National Soveigrenity in this world? Who uses it? Let me tell you who does. Countries like China over Tibet, Russia over Chechenya, Sudan over Darfour, Belorussia and dozen other ex-soviet states to justify their fascist regimes, North Korea etc. the list goes on and on. Besides look at the corporate world, what does it care about national soveigrenity. Not a damn!


If you'd read any of my posts, you would notice that I said democracies (and fundamentally individuals) were sovereign.

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  Old Post 28-10-2004 00:07
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quote:
Originally posted by Spiffor
1. There is a European Parliament, and there has been since the beginning of the EEC. The EP is directly elected by the people since 1979. There is no need to use future tense, because the EP has 25 years of experience behind it.

2. In those 25 years, I have never heard of national blocs. There is a nationalist bloc, to be sure, but even it transcends borders. The EP is cut according to ideological differences, not according to national ones.

3. There is no "French ideology" or "Finnish ideology". In western Europe, the political spectra are similar from country to country, and they aren't that much different in Central and Eastern Europe. The local political cultures affect the ideologies a bit (Brits will generally be more prone to free-market policies than Swedes), yet all countries are divided between conservatives and progressists, between Capitalists and Social-democrats, with the more-or-less-important presence of Greens, Communists, Centrist-liberals and fascists.

If Finland elects one fascist at the European Parliament, what do you think it will do? Do you think it will agree with a Finnish Socialist MEP against a German fascist? Or do you think he will side with other European fascists against socialist policies?


What I doubt is that Europe has actual reached the homogenization required to render national interests of less concern to individuals than the interests of the Union. One reason there isn't a problem now is because of the lack of power of the EU.

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  Old Post 28-10-2004 00:12
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quote:
Originally posted by Spiffor
quote:
Etc., etc. This essentially leads to the conclusion that we must live in an anarchy in which nonetheless individual liberties are not violated, which is a contradiction.


That's one conclusion, but not the conclusion. There are different conclusions, depending on the answer you give to the questions above. Or more precisely, the question is:
"What are the common issues that deserve to be treated collectively, and who should voice opinions in treating these issues?"


No, that's the correct conclusion at the end of this process. That's not the correct conclusion of demanding the question "by what right can he exert authority over me". It's called reductio ad absurdum - taken to its logical conclusion, the idea "by what right does he have power over me?" becomes inconsistent and impossible.

quote:
quote:
However, simply permitting the opposite - that the Frenchmen get to tell the Finns what to do by virtue of there being more Frenchmen - leads to the unacceptable conclusion of us be required to submit ourselves immediately to world opinion.


This is a flawed reasoning. European institutions should not decide about non-collective issues. For example, European institutions have nothing to do promoting abortions in countries that ban them. For example, the EU has nothing to do with banning Spanish bull-fighting. This is why the EU needs to have its competences made clear.


You're jumping ahead of me again I'm just disproving the two absolute ideas.

quote:
quote:
The middle ground is a limited democratic state over people who have decided that ultimately they have the same interests, that protects individual liberties. Once two or more groups of people have decided that they do ultimately have the same interests, and that they trust the other groups not to exploit them, a union between the groups can form simply a larger democracy.


This is why the EU should not become wholly integrated for now (and maybe never). However, it seems the Belgians / Dutch / Luxemburgers can have this trust, and my gut feeling tells me that the French and Germans do so as well. I think it is possible for those countries to form a Federation.
To impose a Federation onto others, however, would be utterly stupid. Especially the Brits, who consider the EU is very well off as a haggling organization, where every country tries to outsmart the others and get as many advantages as possible.


Also consider that a very real problem will come up when you decide on a national language, etc. - countries could be even more protective of their culture than their interests. Far more.

Oerdin is offline Oerdin
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Sep 2001
time: 21:20
  Old Post 28-10-2004 00:12
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I truly see the European left as being the party which censors people in the modern era instead of the right. I guy says he believes the purpose to getting married is so women can have children and be taken care of by her husband and the Eurocoms think he's a bigot? Austria elects a guy with a big mouth who likes to say stupid things during speeches but who doesn't actually enact any extremist legislation and the lefties call for sanctions against Austria? There are more examples.

It's to bad the left in Europe feels it can't live with anyone who happens to have different ideas.

Kuciwalker is offline Kuciwalker
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Feb 2001
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  Old Post 28-10-2004 00:13
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There's zero problem with discrimination based on ideology in political office, Oerdin.

Oerdin is offline Oerdin
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Sep 2001
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  Old Post 28-10-2004 00:19
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quote:
Originally posted by Kuciwalker
There's zero problem with discrimination based on ideology in political office, Oerdin.


Then why did this Italian lose his job again? He didn't advicate a policy as far as I've heard but he did speak about his own personal beliefs.

Kuciwalker is offline Kuciwalker
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Feb 2001
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  Old Post 28-10-2004 00:21
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Lose 30 kilos (of popups)

Personal beliefs are ideology.

laurentius is offline laurentius
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Helsinki, Finland
Jun 2001
time: 07:20
  Old Post 28-10-2004 01:14
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This was a great day for Democracy and Freedom

Pekka is offline Pekka
Chieftain
em seu burro dos pais!
Feb 2002
time: 07:20
  Old Post 28-10-2004 01:16
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"You must be referring to the deficits certain countries have been allowed to have. I never said the Unions is perfect. Yes its a problem, but its more of a cosmetic one."

And I feel it's a humongous propblem. This was not a 'mistake' or 'fluke'. This is what happened, when oen of the big ones ran into trouble, and they muscled themselves out of it. It shows that we are unequal. We cant do the same even if we tried to. This is just an indicator when it comes down to it, what the attitude will be and who will take control.

"They were not dynamic enough to bend according to the economic realities such as structural problems some countries have and the fact that very many economists believe that in times of slower growth or more difficult economic times it is good for the government to not cut its spending but increase it to make public demand act as catalyst to get the economy growing again. The rules simply did not allow governments to do such maneuvres, and voila, European economic growth is pathetic and unbearably lies on private consumtion."

But it's not a real problem until one of the big ones hit it. When small ones do, it's pay up, simple as that. That is different rules for different countries, the issue doesn't even matter, if can be other issue just as well, but the point is, they muscled themselves out of it, while we can't. They can pick their shots and spots, even if the rules are against them and get away with it.

"Its the mass media who simplifies things and gets its facts wrong due to incompetent reporters and editors. Its better not to believe everything they tell you."

So the media simplified etc... so did they break the rules or not? THat's the only thing that matters. It's the principle. We couldn't of done it, they could because they said so. Period.

"This is where we disagree. I think we have to come to terms with the political reality here. We are simply too small to have any influence on the world politics acting alone. MASS is power as always. Being part of a bigger whole makes our voice being heard too."

Yes, but if our voice is not heard in the big mass, then it doesn't really give us anything now does it? To hear us because they have to is different than to respect our opinion and position and take it into account. I don't believe the latter is happening.

"I belive EU should deal with the big issues like Foreign relations, Military, Monetary policy etc. things like that."

Europe does not have a common foreign policy and I rather keep it that way. I agree that we can have a common defense, it only makes sense. But say foreign policy, that means others will join France and Germany to support THEIR foreign policy. I'd rather have our own policy. You say then we don't have any power. Well, I'd rather have that little power and own opinion than 'more power' and support someone elses policies. because in that case we have even LESS power. I don't see why WE should compromise on foreign policy. It's not a thing to be compromised about.

"Do you honestly think I dont mean the good for us? We must get whats ours, yes, but drop the illusions that we are equal with the big countries. Dont be a megalomaniac."

Exactly. So you want to drive us into a situation where we are not equal. I don't want that. I want us to have the same options as everyone else. I don't believe you want bad for us, but that doesn't mean it will lead to good. The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

"We are already being commanded by different instances. Look at North Korea, they are like you, refuse to interact with the outside world."

NICE ONE! NOW I get it.. Thanks for making me see the light! Let's give all power to someone else, and let's submit to that power. Why don't we just ask Sweden to takes us back, or Russia while we're at it?

"As I said thats one of the things EU is here for. I think your own behaviour only shows this threat hasent outlived itself."

My behaviour? Calling out BS, like that some countries get discounts from memberships because THEY SAY SO, and we don't, and that the same rules don't apply to all of us, this is a threat to European security? Wow, that's not 'shut up and let someone else take care of our business' that's 'yes they are corrupt, and shut up, you warmongerer, don't point it out'. Crazy.. You're pretty authoritarian when it comes to free speech. Maybe you want to install conditions that NK has? No wait, that was me, riggghtt...

"I dont think you or many other people know excatly what we pay and what we get. There are lot of things the statistics dont tell us about."

I know we pay too much if others pay less. I might not be the smartest man around but I know that one. But of course we also benefit from being in EU, if we wouldn't, I'd say we must get out NOW NOW NOW!

laurentius is offline laurentius
King
Helsinki, Finland
Jun 2001
time: 07:20
  Old Post 28-10-2004 01:22
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Put an end to popups!

Did you write that for 3 hours!?

Pekka is offline Pekka
Chieftain
em seu burro dos pais!
Feb 2002
time: 07:20
  Old Post 28-10-2004 01:28
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" We, French, Finns, Brits, Maltese etc, as we are living in a common market, also live under a common trade policy. And all of our governments are associated in determining that policy, with a power semi-proportional to the population they represent."

I have no problem with this. I think this is good.

" Especially the Brits, who consider the EU is very well off as a haggling organization, where every country tries to outsmart the others and get as many advantages as possible."

And IN REALITY it isn't? Then what is it in reality? An intellectual pinky lifting playground for TRUE EUROS to fantasize about new superpower EU, that WILL challenge US and some day outpower it and take control?

This is the true nature of EURONITES, the worse group of TRUE EUROS. They all hate the US, and they don't see their own actions to have nothing wrong in them, when they would be exactly the same or even worse. When US does it, huge outcry, when we do it, thumbs up and 'you don't understand.. '.. even worse spin doctoring than in the US presidential elections, they should have these guys doing the spinning for them. They keep using the same arguments even after you showed them they are flawed, and seriously argue that for example Paris should have the same representations as Finland as a country, and not only same but bigger. The hypocrism

It's a joke that's what it is. And when you don't agree with it, you point out some flaws, they all get upset about it, cry and blame you of being a nazi, they are nto able to refute the most important points like unequality etc, yet they keep on rolling for the utopia and NOT remove the unequality, and when someone points that out, they're nazis, stupid, anti-europe etc.. yeah,, just remember I'm the dissident here, and hwo EU really works is how EU treats me, not you, but me. US is starting to sound like a paradise at the moment on this issue as well. The future EU has no place for pointing out corruption and unequality. It's equal because THEY SAY IT IS. And if you still disagree, you're a ****ing bastard who wants to ruin it for all. I ask you who am I ruining it? For the ones that are corrupt? So who gives a rats ass? Must be corrupt themselves. HAIL ALL BELIEVERS, bunch of hypocrites who still at this stage of this thread do not acknowledge the unequality, and Spiffor is even trying to say that it's in fact the France for example that is unequal (smaller) than us.. can you serioulsy debate with EURONITES after this? They say well you said something about butty boys you can't be debator either, well my point is serious with the unequality, and you fail to show any kind of basic logic, only proving my point.

Pekka is offline Pekka
Chieftain
em seu burro dos pais!
Feb 2002
time: 07:20
  Old Post 28-10-2004 01:29
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laurentius, no, I was sleeping.

 
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