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by GekkePrutser 1674 days ago
This is true but our votes are so diluted. And there are almost no good choices anymore. Almost all major political parties have an open ear to lobbyists who are much better at influencing them than the public is.

I still vote but I don't really see the point anymore either. The game seems rigged.
1 comments
blibble 1674 days ago
it is rigged

by design: the EU acts as a ratchet: powers that formerly belonged to national parliaments are transferred to it, and can't be transferred back

those powers are then exercised by the executives of Europe's governments rather their parliaments

the same is true of EU legislation: once the "parliament" has rubber-stamped legislation: it can't revoke it

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_abox 1674 days ago
Yes and those executives (the European Commission) we don't actually vote for. And those are the ones with the most power.

I've always thought that was weird. I'd want to vote for them directly.

I don't mind the power transfer per se. Within Europe a lot of things make sense to do Europe-wide. In fact a lot of things are not done Europe-wide which I think would make a lot of sense to do so. Like transportation: A lot of countries have extra taxes like 'vignettes' for foreigners while others haven't. So if I go there I have to pay but they don't pay when they come to my country. Of course countries that see a lot of transit traffic should be paid but this should just be paid straight from the EU IMO. It's creating unnecessary barriers. There should also be an EU driving license instead of having to get it locally where you live at the time and losing categories which don't exist there. And why do we still have separate train systems and road rules? Mutualising traffic signs to minimise mistakes is something that could really save lives.

And social welfare, right now it's a total pain if you have worked in several EU countries. Pensions etc are fragmented like crazy and there's a lot of paperwork.

But instead they focus too much on merging the national markets to appease big business IMO. Instead of tackling the real issues for citizens.

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