The Euro is here

[Simon Darkshade]

Indeed, as Hamlet says "Like I stated before, I feel that people are generally very ignorant of political issues and I would be wary as to giving them a referndum on nigh on everything. Hanging would be reintroduced in this country if such a system was in operation, fs.", the introduction of direct democracy would swiftly fall into farce or dismal failure.

If people were to vote on everything, they would need to be at least informed in the issues concerned. This is not the case in a lot of circumstances, such as the intricacies of trade policy, international relations, defence (and attack ) and the general running of a modern nation. People have better things to do, such as their jobs, than to spend all their time voting. A nation of politicians would result
It does have its merits, though, as issues that the community feel strongly about, and are ignored by craven politicians could be quickly addressed, such as the reintroduction of hanging, and the introduction of slavery for every one who doesn't have a knighthood...

The thing about utopian notions is they do not work in real life.

As for the euro, the Italian foreign minister resigned over what he saw as not enough support for the blessed euro from PM Berlusconi. It seems that all is not well in what was protrayed as a continent wholeheartedly embracing the currency change, and political agenda without question. And Silvio isn't even that right wing

 

[knowltok]

Satanic money? Well if the nations and people that believe this way choose to invest on that basis, and not on sound financial judgement, more power too them.

Best of luck to those behind the Euro, but I am afraid it will be plagued with (relative) instability as the various governments of Europe go about their daily affairs. An errant policy here and there could easily put one nation at odds with the communities' economic policies.

 

[Hamlet]

Originally posted by Simon Darkshade
As for the euro, the Italian foreign minister resigned over what he saw as not enough support for the blessed euro from PM Berlusconi.

I thought Berlusconi sacked him?

 

[Julien]

Originally posted by IceBlaZe
I dont bet on the euro becoming stronger than the dollar, or more stable, because in USA when someone unemplyed in california can move to washington in Europe its not like that, there are vast cultural and lingual differences and that will make movement of jobs between countries almost impossible.
If the work-cap wont be unified, than the prices also wont be unified and the unified economy wont be that unified at all compared to USA...
And the unbalance of east european countries with weak economy against strong west european countries like france and germany is also a factor that will prevent the euro from being as strong and stable as the dollar...

just my 2 cents

That's sad to see such narrow-mindedness. Notice that European people are more and more able to speak several languages, especially for business relationship or just holidays/shopping in the next country. I am personally fluent in English, French and Italian and can hold a conversation and understand a lot in German and Spanish. I also know some Dutch for being Belgian and I am now living in Japan learning Japanese. I have lived or studied (not just travelled) in 5 European countries and I can't see why any young people would be handicapped to do so. So, even if it's not as easy as in th US, people can still move quite easily inside Europe; particurarily because there are mainly 2 groups of languages (Latin and Germanic) and once you know one in one group it's quite easy to learn another of the same group. If people don't move, it's because they don't need to or because they want to stay close to their family, that's all. I am not attached t my family, so I find it much easier than other people to live somewhere else. I think it's also in the native-English speaker mentality to travel or move more easily than, say Italians. Young English people often study in a city far from their home ; if you live in Manchester, you'll study in London, if you live in Oxford, you'll study in Newcastle. That's because the relationships inside the family are not the same as inside an Italian family, where the children are more dependent/attached to their mother (especially). So, if you are a 30 year-old man and still live with your parents, it's normal if you're Italian or Spanish, but really weird if you're British or Scandinavian.

There is very little will that the Eastern European countries join the EU now. I guess their economies will develop in the next few decades and catch up with the EU average. After that it won't be a problem anymore. They still have to get out of communism ; you don't change people's education easily; we'll have to wait the young generation has replaced the former one.