Question for Europeans

[Portuguese]

Originally posted by Simon Darkshade
The pound will not be given up soon, and the 'analysis' of the long term 'special relationship' between the US and Great Britain by the idealist from Portugal leaves much to be desired.

Blair the lap dog of Bush? He had a much closer relationship with Bill Clinton, yet I do not recall any talk of lapdog status then...
Is Tony nothing but a closet Texan Republican?
It is oafish to go on with that hackneyed little piece of idiocy.

"the idealist from Portugal" > I must use it in my sig someday, if you don't mind...
I made no 'analysis' of the long term 'special relationship' between the US and UK. When I do, you'll notice.
And Pound will ceasse to exist, many economists claim. It is hurting your economy your... unreasonable pride.

Bill Clinton had a closest relationship, SO they consult each other. Bush seems not to consult Blair, he only says: "We Go!" ans Blair have to follow the lead, wanting or not. The colsest relation with "the Kid" made it a more equal relation. I fail to see why it should be the opposite...

Originally posted by Pillager
1. Assure away. I'm pleased the Euro, and the Growth and Stability Pact are helping you all so much down there. How is the economy in Portugal, BTW? How are the massive crippling strikes?

2. Rubbish. I'll put it down to jealousy, as exists in France. Far fewer listen to them, and they don't like it.

In fact, I think they are helping. I'm close to PSD and I'm happy Guterres have been through out the Office, in part due to the Stability Pact and our debt numbers: he was an irresponsible from the third way and he should heve leaved sooner.

I, jealous? I'm sad because of Durão Barroso following US, opposing Portuguese general opinion, just to satisfy the Defense minister, leader of the other party of the colliation

 

[MrPresident]

And Pound will ceasse to exist, many economists claim. It is hurting your economy your... unreasonable pride.

Evidence...

 

[CurtSibling]

Originally posted by joespaniel

I knew it! You are actually Toni Basil...

Please don't say that Joe...
You'll ruin my dream of that cheerleader video she done!

PS

"I have said it before, and I'll say it again."

How the heck can ALL Europeans hate ALL Americans?
We are talking in excess of 1 billion people here, all diverse, all different.

As a European, personally, I quite like Americans.
As a nation, they have all the flaws, shortcomings and potential to make mistakes as the rest of us.

Like we Europeans, the average American is a human being, strivng to survive in a tough world.

Sure, they are proud of their country, but then I am porud to be European too!
So are most peoples, I'll wager.

In short; Americans are as good, bad and ugly as we Europeans.
Bigger does not mean better, only more diversity. You can't hate millions of vastly different people.

So give them yanks a break!

*Now please, someone end this thread!*

 

[Portuguese]

Originally posted by MrPresident
Evidence...

Evidence? There is no actual evidence. Only opinions by some people.

 

[Pillager]

Having kept the pound is certainly not damaging our economy, but the Euro and associated Growth and Stability Pact and structures are damaging the economies across continental Europe.

 

[Portuguese]

I prefer Euro to Escudo.
Do you think we would be better with the Escudo?!?

 

[Rhye]

Euro brought a lot of inflation

 

[Simon Darkshade]

Originally posted by Portuguese

"the idealist from Portugal" > I must use it in my sig someday, if you don't mind...
I made no 'analysis' of the long term 'special relationship' between the US and UK. When I do, you'll notice.
And Pound will ceasse to exist, many economists claim. It is hurting your economy your... unreasonable pride.

Bill Clinton had a closest relationship, SO they consult each other. Bush seems not to consult Blair, he only says: "We Go!" ans Blair have to follow the lead, wanting or not. The colsest relation with "the Kid" made it a more equal relation. I fail to see why it should be the opposite...

1.) Firstly, it is not hurting my economy at all, as last time I checked, we do not employ the British currency in Australia. Your vapid appeal to "many economists" is no substitute for any type of proof. In the end, you are just giving your opinion on what you want to happen so the world adapts itself to your world view.
Nor does the British economy seem to be at all suffering directly because of its lack of infernal haste in abandoning its national identity at the foot of the throne of euro-Mammon.
You analysis of the alliance came out to one flippant and pointless line. That is on the record. As for any future endeavours of thine, I doubt that I will notice them.

2.) I take it that you are privy to all the workings of the British and American governments, especially the private communications between the heads of government. Once again, you substitute wild inaccuracies and silly conspiracy theory for any semblance of sensible analysis.
Blair and Clinton were much closer ideologically, yet Clinton was definitely the senior partner in the relationship. No mention of lap dogs or any canine species during their time.
Bush "seems" not to consult Blair. From your limited perspective and understanding, maybe. But there has yet to be put forth a single iota of evidence on the matter.
Could it be that their nation's interests are quite close and similar?
Of course not! Blair follows, 'wanting or not'...

 

[Pillager]

I see no evidence that us not being in the Eurozone is hurting our economy, and I see plenty of evidence that being in the Eurozone is hurting a lot of continental economies. Considering our economy is the least like the other European economies, I'm very pleased that we are not in and do not look like being in for the foreseeable future.

Originally posted by Rhye
Euro brought a lot of inflation

Well, to be fair to the Euro, you lot have had inflation and debt coming out of your ears for years.

If you mean short-term price inflation then, yes, that's definitely true. Our newspapers have frequently reported how prices were inflated with the introduction of the Euro - we had the same when we switched to decimal currency in 1971.

 

[bigfatron]

Originally posted by Pillager
I see no evidence that us not being in the Eurozone is hurting our economy, and I see plenty of evidence that being in the Eurozone is hurting a lot of continental economies. Considering our economy is the least like the other European economies, I'm very pleased that we are not in and do not look like being in for the foreseeable future.

Well, to be fair to the Euro, you lot have had inflation and debt coming out of your ears for years.

If you mean short-term price inflation then, yes, that's definitely true. Our newspapers have frequently reported how prices were inflated with the introduction of the Euro - we had the same when we switched to decimal currency in 1971.

Three points come to mind - the first is that we have only recently been able to say that the UK has lower inflation than the bulk of Europe (specifically, Germany, France and the Low Countries). The Euro's control mechanisms are designed to maintain Europe as a low inflation area, and I would contend it is precisely this focus on inflation that has made the Euro relatively unsuccessful.

The second is that I see it as no coincidence that the economies of Japan and EEC (for which read Germany) - for whom inflation has been seen as the major risk and who enjoyed a long run of high growth during the inflationary 60's, 70's and 80's through the structured management of their economies - have coped worst with the deflationary and (relatively) chaotic markets of the last 10 years.

I don't expect to see this change in the near future, and IMHO any dynamism in the EU will come from the southern european states or, more likely, the new eastern bloc entrants where the desire to make money still burns very strong.

Finally I would suspect we in the UK are in danger of getting our comeuppance soon, since the current housing-led retail boom is totally unsustainable. Whether we crash or just subside like a leaking souffle will depend on whether Gordon is as good with the financial books as he claims to be, but we're unlikely to be looking down on our continental friends frm the lofty perch of high growth and low employment for much longer.

Interestingly, none of the influences that I see pulling Europe down or helping the UK are about the performance of the Euro v sterling, they are much more about socio-economic influences such as inflexible labour markets, relative concern over inflation, granularity of the economy, etc.

Anyway I thought this was about why europeans don't like America, which is an easy one, it's because we're all jealous and wish we were Americans - ain't that right?

 

[Panda]

Originally posted by Rhye
Euro brought a lot of inflation

No, the Euro just showed us how many shop keepers are greedy opportunists when it comes to exploiting customers.

 

[Panda]

Originally posted by Rhye
Euro brought a lot of inflation

No, the Euro just showed us how many shop keepers are greedy opportunists when it comes to exploiting customers.

 

[CurtSibling]

I want to say that this thread has gotten hideously off topic.

I think it would be better for all if you financial pundits opened a 'European Financial Thread' to argue the pros and cons of the Euro vs Pound.

Otherwise everyone will die of boredom.

 

[Rhye]

Originally posted by Panda


No, the Euro just showed us how many shop keepers are greedy opportunists when it comes to exploiting customers.

And it was sure that it would have caused inflation

 

[Portuguese]

Originally posted by Rhye
Euro brought a lot of inflation

Italian...
Your problem is that you associate coins to cheap things. It's more a problem of culture than a Euro-problem.

Originally posted by Simon Darkshade


1.) Firstly, it is not hurting my economy at all, as last time I checked, we do not employ the British currency in Australia. Your vapid appeal to "many economists" is no substitute for any type of proof. In the end, you are just giving your opinion on what you want to happen so the world adapts itself to your world view.
Nor does the British economy seem to be at all suffering directly because of its lack of infernal haste in abandoning its national identity at the foot of the throne of euro-Mammon.
You analysis of the alliance came out to one flippant and pointless line. That is on the record. As for any future endeavours of thine, I doubt that I will notice them.

2.) I take it that you are privy to all the workings of the British and American governments, especially the private communications between the heads of government. Once again, you substitute wild inaccuracies and silly conspiracy theory for any semblance of sensible analysis.
Blair and Clinton were much closer ideologically, yet Clinton was definitely the senior partner in the relationship. No mention of lap dogs or any canine species during their time.
Bush "seems" not to consult Blair. From your limited perspective and understanding, maybe. But there has yet to be put forth a single iota of evidence on the matter.
Could it be that their nation's interests are quite close and similar?
Of course not! Blair follows, 'wanting or not'...

My opinion is based on many others I heard and think about them. I only speak for my self, but I usually follow some economists' view... And I advise you to listen to some too.

What is to suffer? To have less GDP or to have less that the one you could have if you have entered Euro?
You'll say that I'm making scenarios here, but that what economists do. And that's whatI heard. Don't ask me for proofs. As only one reality can happen (duh...) I CANNOT have proofs. But it's not only me saying this.

"national identity" > It's pound the basis of your national identity?!?

Again, I did not present an analysis of the alliance because I'd need plenty more info to write something more fundamented about that.

"silly conspiracy theory" > Pleeeease don't say that. I hate that kind of expressions. Specially when concerning to me.

"Clinton was definitely the senior partner in the relationship." > Try to prove that. You always ask for proof, well then I'm sure you can prove this one, can't you?!?

"No mention of lap dogs or any canine species during their time." > You didnt know my opinion at the time.

And more one thing:
"vapid appeal"
"just giving your opinion on what you want to happen so the world adapts itself to your world view."
"You analysis of the alliance came out to one flippant and pointless line."
"As for any future endeavours of thine, I doubt that I will notice them."
"you substitute wild inaccuracies and silly conspiracy theory for any semblance of sensible analysis."
"From your limited perspective and understanding"
"there has yet to be put forth a single iota of evidence on the matter"

You had a difficult day, hadn't you?
Just try to be as accurate as you ask others to be, OK?

Your idealist friend,
Ricardo Magalhães.

 

[MrPresident]

It's pound the basis of your national identity?!?

Of course not. Our national identity is based upon roast beef, sunday dinner, cricket, rain, hatred of the French, football, rain, more hatred of the French, rain, humour, rain, small boys playing the park with jumpers for goalposts...and of course rain.

 

[anarchywrksbest]

Originally posted by MrPresident

Of course not. Our national identity is based upon roast beef, sunday dinner, cricket, rain, hatred of the French, football, rain, more hatred of the French, rain, humour, rain, small boys playing the park with jumpers for goalposts...and of course rain.

Aaah tis true...

 

[Portuguese]

Originally posted by MrPresident

Of course not. Our national identity is based upon roast beef, sunday dinner, cricket, rain, hatred of the French, football, rain, more hatred of the French, rain, humour, rain, small boys playing the park with jumpers for goalposts...and of course rain.

True, true...

I love Portuguese Sun