European thread

[Pillager]

Originally posted by Hamlet

I sort of argued against that above.

Yes - I just wanted to make the point that I think that an argument could be made for saying that we are closer to the US than we are to Europe, certainly as culture goes.

I don't think it would be true to say we are closer to the US than we are to Europe, BTW. Just that in some ways we are, in others we're not.

 

[willemvanoranje]

Originally posted by MrPresident

I believe we give the EU more money that we recieve.

true, but so are we, and you don't hear us complaining. Besides, it's a normal thin: doesn't the city of London with it's population, businesses and stock exchange bring in more money than some north-England city or a city in Cornwall?

 

[Pillager]

Yes, it does. But I feel far more affinity with the people of the north of England (with some exceptions ) than I do for the people of Portugal. I am British before I'm European, and I want what's best for Britain not what's best for Europe.

 

[Jorge]

There is a very important thing that justifies being in the EU despite paying more than receiving: SOLIDARITY.

Do you want to help other people or not? This is the question. I know that with the new countries in the EU Spain will receive less money, but now the time has come to help others like we were helped before. Union is good.

 

[Pillager]

Don't read my previous thread as meaning that I don't care what happens to Europe - of course, I do. However, for me and millions of others, Britain comes first, the rest of Europe second. That might not fit into the utopian view of Europe shared by some, of no nationalities and of us all helping each other, but tough.

 

[Ancient Grudge]

quote:
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Originally posted by Ancient Grudge
have u heard they are trying to rename the E.U the united states of Europe
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quote:

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Tabloid inspired non-fact.
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are you calling BBC news a tabloid newspaper what is wrong with you watch the news ok

 

[MrPresident]

Britain comes first, the rest of Europe second.

For me it is Yorkshire first, then England, then Britain and finally Europe.

true, but so are we, and you don't hear us complaining.

I wouldn't understand you if you weren't complaining. Anyway it is a serious point, the British do seem to complain a lot more about the EU than any other country. Maybe it is because of the perceived (a little more than that considering the recent CAP agreement) power of the French and Germans.

 

[Ancient Grudge]

The Uk has enough problems itself with out having to worry (crao public transport,agriculture failing, too many asylum seekers)about the rest of europes problems in saying that we shud still help countries that where part of the eastern block and need help. But britainn must and always come first if we cant help ourselves can we really help others?

 

[Hamlet]

Originally posted by Ancient Grudge
are you calling BBC news a tabloid newspaper what is wrong with you watch the news ok

Can you please point me to a BBC web article that says that A United States of Europe is being created anytime soon.

Ta.

 

[Ancient Grudge]

Did u watch bbc befreakfast this morning i did and it was on t.v and no link i cant be bothered you can and find one

 

[insurgent]

Giscard D'Estaing has proposed the renaming of the Union. It's not anything official, it's just the proposal of an internal convention for a common European constitution. It contains renaming the EU to the United Europe or United States of Europe.
A supid thing to do at this point. It only distances the sceptics, it will never get through and it serves only to hinder the development of the Union. With time the federation will come, I hope.

An article on Giscard D'Estaing and his proposal: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2367237.stm

 

[Ancient Grudge]

Thank you pillager for helping me prove to these less intelligent people that it was a true story im waiting for apoligies namely you
Hamlet!

seriously why would anyone ever think to do this at this moment in time just gives more ammuntion for the conservative party.

 

[MrPresident]

But britainn must and always come first if we cant help ourselves can we really help others?

There goes all the Third World aid...

 

[Ancient Grudge]

i never ever said stop third world aid thats just horrible no1 all third world debts should be completely wiped. Its european countries such as Spain that object the UK giving money to as this helps them undermine our fishing economy.

 

[MrPresident]

Its european countries such as Spain that object the UK giving money to as this helps them undermine our fishing economy.

Yes but giving Third World countries aid and more especially opening up our agricultural markets to them undermines the farming economy. It is the same principle.

 

[Ancient Grudge]

The third world deserves aid but spain doesnt IMO. Are there thopusands of people starving in spain i think not

 

[Hamlet]

Originally posted by Ancient Grudge
Thank you pillager for helping me prove to these less intelligent people that it was a true story im waiting for apoligies namely you
Hamlet!

No, you're still wrong. The article actually went to disprove what you said:

"have u heard they are trying to rename the E.U the united states of Europe and guess whos idea this was a former french presidnets ofcourse!"

No-one is trying to rename The EU 'The United States of Europe' It's just an idea that's floating about.

The article, or at least one of it's sister articles that I read stated that Mr D'Estaing favoured 'United Europe', Not 'United States of Europe' if there was to be a name change.

So, you're wrong, basically.


Being barely coherent and apparently only semi-literate, I'd be careful who you called 'less intelligent' in future.

 

[Ancient Grudge]

i never said u where less intelligent then me i meant u where less intelligent than insurgent. Still changing the name off the E.U will just make more people disagree with it

 

[JAConway]

dont hate me, i agree with most of what nixon has said. i am not a bladdy european! i am british through and through, as french love france not europe and all the other nations in this 'union' love their homelands. it sticks its nose in where its not wanted with all this wretched red tape. disband it. VOTE UKIP

 

[willemvanoranje]

I think you're right when you say that the English complain more than most other countries, but then again, throughout history England was always a bit different from Europe due to the fact that it's an island. It was able to stay out of war on it's own soil because no one really dared a naval invasion after the Romans and Vikings. England doesn't participate in the monetary union, with reason, I understand they aren't happy about giving up the sterling for a less valuable currency. But Britain/England are the ones often blockading EU plans, and the people don't like the EU either, so I think England shouldn't be a full-member, but some sort of partner, don't you agree? They are still in the trade union for example, but have to pay just a small percentage of what it's paying now (but will receive a small percentage of support too of course). I just don't know how the English government will be able to make up for the loss in agriculture support...