[gmueckl]

> This way ultimate power lies with the member nations, not in the Brussels hierarchy.

This is a slight simplification. Only the executive branches of the state governments hold power over all branches of the EU. The legislative branches of the member states get none of that. This imbalance is part of what makes the EU lawmaking such an opaque (and arguably even exploitable) process.

[pcrh]

Perhaps. However, EU legislation only covers a limited number of areas, mostly to do with trade and standards. With a few additional areas such as migration within the EU itself.

That is, it has limited impact on purely national matters, or military or foreign affairs.