EU

[spiraldoor]

Just to clear things up, Lisbon will not federalise the EU. If it would, we would know about it.

The European Union (EU) is not a de jure federation but some academic observers conclude that it is one, after 50 years of institutional evolution caused by the European Court of Justice.[3] The European Union possesses attributes of a federal state. However, its central government is far weaker than that of most federations and the individual members are sovereign states under international law, so it is usually characterized as an unprecedented form of supra-national union. The EU has responsibility for important areas such as trade, monetary union, agriculture, fisheries. Nonetheless, EU member states retain the right to act independently in matters of foreign policy and defense, and also enjoy a near monopoly over other major policy areas such as criminal justice and taxation. The proposed Treaty of Lisbon would codify the Member States' right to leave the Union, but would at the same time also provide the European Union with more power in many areas.

[Hunchman801]

Most Europeans countries have centuries of history behind them (France, Denmark and Poland being the oldest), which makes it totally impossible to merge them together. Settlers had hardly been there for three centuries when the USA was created, which made it much easier to federate it as most states had no real identity back then.

[spiraldoor]

Most Europeans countries have centuries of history behind them (France, Denmark and Poland being the oldest), which makes it totally impossible to merge them together. Settlers had hardly been there for three centuries when the USA was created, which made it much easier to federate it as most states had no real identity back then.

Centuries of history didn't stop Hitler from merging Austria and Germany.

[Tobbe]

Germans and Austrians spoke the same language, many were of the same nationality, and there was strong support within the population of Austria to be annexed into Nazi Germany.

[Hunchman801]

Centuries of history didn't stop Hitler from merging Austria and Germany.

Did it last?

[spiraldoor]

Centuries of history didn't stop Hitler from merging Austria and Germany.

Did it last?

It would have if the Americans hadn't fucked everything up. They won't do that this time

[Xenon]

Federating countries is probably the worst possible thing to do.

[PluMGMK]

Most Europeans countries have centuries of history behind them (France, Denmark and Poland being the oldest), which makes it totally impossible to merge them together. Settlers had hardly been there for three centuries when the USA was created, which made it much easier to federate it as most states had no real identity back then.

+1

[El Dango]

If you ask me, United States of Europe sounds pretty bad.

[spiraldoor]

The results are out today. Lisbon has been passed by a two-to-one majority.

[PluMGMK]

Why do you say that? It's alost as if you believe the Treaty is evil.

[spiraldoor]

Why do you say that? It's alost as if you believe the Treaty is evil.

Isn't it?

[PluMGMK]

Why do you say that? It's alost as if you believe the Treaty is evil.

Isn't it?

Whatever, Poland and the Czech Rep. still haven't ratified it. So there's still a chance.

[Haruka]

I still think that on Escudos ( $ ) era, Portugal lived better economically.
1€ was around 200$. And with 2000$ (10€ approximately) you could buy a lot of stuff, now 10€ is just for a complete lunch.

But honestly I even don't know what's all about Lisbon Treaty.
All what I know is that Lisbon Treaty will reforce the EU's democracy and make a better capacity of defend the citizens' interests on their daily lives. (And a treaty signed in my country's capital by other state members)
I also heard recently that the majority of Ireland people voted "Yes".

[spiraldoor]

Why do you say that? It's alost as if you believe the Treaty is evil.

Isn't it?

Whatever, Poland and the Czech Rep. still haven't ratified it. So there's still a chance.

It's already been ratified by the Czech parliament, it only needs to be signed into law by that Czech president or prime minister or whatever he is.

And what's this about Poland?

[PluMGMK]

And what's this about Poland?

I have absolutely no idea! All I know is that I heard it on the news.

[spiraldoor]

And what's this about Poland?

I have absolutely no idea! All I know is that I heard it on the news.

Television or radio?

[PluMGMK]

And what's this about Poland?

I have absolutely no idea! All I know is that I heard it on the news.

Television or radio?

Radio.

[spiraldoor]

What station?

[PluMGMK]

RTÉ 1.