[Koremat6666]

These sort of decisions should not be made by large centralized agencies like EU. I would rather see these decisions being left to the individual countries and even better to local bodies.

May be London wants to take a different approach than Finland. That should be fine. Let each countries figure out what works for them.

[chrisco255]

Yeah as an American I don't get the EU. Sovereignty is worth more than convenience in trade.

[pjc50]

As an American you don't see the benefit of a federal government of states for interstate commerce?

[chrisco255]

The federal government is the sovereign nation of the United States. We don't answer to a higher bureaucracy than that and we have direct influence over leadership in the Federal government.

The states themselves also retain substantial powers. They can block a Constitutional amendment or call a Constitutional convention, they can appeal to courts with 250 years of common law precedent backing them up, etc. There is much more clarity in the American system.

The EU doesn't work the same way.

[pinkfoot]

And being a small country in gigantic bloc in a world of superpower real-politik is worth more than soverignty

[chrisco255]

I mean, many nations disagree with you. South Korea and Japan haven't joined forces against China. Norway and Switzerland remain out of the EU. And plenty of other counter-examples exist. The country of Singapore is not much bigger than a city. At least you have control over your own destiny as a sovereign nation and you have more agility with your economy.

[Apocryphon]

The states under the Articles of Confederation felt that way, until they pursued federalization under the Constitution. Germany, Italy, even Britain used to be made of smaller parts that sought union. Countries occasionally choose to federate into a more powerful government. How is the EU any different, other than the process is more long-drawn?

[Koremat6666]

I am not an American. Also, EU is anything but convenience in trade.

-It had been a peaceful night in Europe where all the women are strong, the men are good looking, and the children are above average. Martin woke up on his EU regulated bed and looked through his EU regulated window. This night, Martin had slept like a baby thanks to the 109 EU regulations concerning pillows, the 5 EU regulations concerning pillow cases, and the 50 EU laws regulating duvets and sheets. Martin went to brush his teeth with his toothbrush regulated by 31 EU laws.

After that, our EU-regulated man went to his EU regulated kitchen to grab a Class 1 EU regulated apple. For the benefit of society, the EU had defined what a “class 1” fruit actually is: to class a "Red Variety" apple as "class 1" then 50% of its surface must be red. To class a "Mixed red coloring variety" of apple as a "class 1" apple 33% of its surface must be red, and so it goes for the 3 quality classes and 287 individually named apple varieties. Martin ate fruits and vegetables because the government told him it is the right thing to do. He switched the TV on and listened to the “eat five fruits and vegetables” government ad with attention. Martin’s apple was not very tasty, but at least it was controlled by a European central authority. “Isn’t that great,” thought Martin, “the EU takes care of our food. We now can eat only nice and safe products!” Martin is paying 40% more for his food because of the EU’s highly protectionist agricultural policies, but it is the price one has to pay for civilization.

---

[pjc50]

Copypasta is not an argument.