The EU

[Janderson]

I am an ignorant teenager and everytime my friends start talking about politics they always hit this; 'the EU is vital to us and our way of life, leaving it would destroy us,' or something along those lines. I do not (dis)agree because I know nothing. So what exactly are the benefits and problems of being in the EU and is it really that vital to your country?

I live in the UK so any light shed on this part of Europe would be greatly appreciated.

[darknation]

the EU basically exists so trade companies can set up effective monopolies that are enforced by "EU law".

buy this or remain ignorant.

[DooMAD]

As with all things regarding international politcs, there are advantages and disadvantages. Personally, I'm of the opinion that a group of countries working together in harmony is better than individual nations playing by their own rules and generally fucking things up. The only problem being that the EU in it's current state is anything but harmonious.

In theory it's a good idea, but in the real world there are plenty of obstacles to overcome. There are plenty of people throughout countries in the EU that would like to see it fail, but I certainly don't count myself among them.

[fodders]

When countries start paying for oil in Euros things will start to change.

[deathbringer]

The EU wants to ban any car older than 15 years from the road, and prevent classic cars leaving thier own area, or being used outside certian areas, to "protect the envrionment" (sure, 70's gas-guzzlers caused more damage than todays cars, but how many 70's cars are still in everyday use?)

They also want to ban childrens play areas, in case children get hurt, ban conkers, tree-climbing and other activities, in case children get hurt, ban school sports, in case a kid loses a race and its parents get upset and sue the school.

Then they will ban people from roaming around in scrap-tyards to find spares for thier classic cars, which they wont be allowed to drive anyway..in fact they will ban driving eventually and force people to have automatic driving cars that are controlled by sensors in the road

Finally, they will ban the police from locking up convicted murderers and pedophiles, because being in prison breaches thier human rights, also they will ban border controls, so that anyone can travel anywhere in the EU, which will lead to unsustaniable mass immigration into the richer countries, but anybody who complains will be called a racist anyway, and then locked up.

Also, movies like "The life of brian" will be banned because they incite 'religious hatred', and porn will be banned because nudity offends muslims..in fact all women will be made to wear burkhas, like in afghanistan under the taliban, because if they dont it will offend muslims..and if you offend a muslim you are a racist. Its the only way to promite diversity and freedom!

Finally, they will install two-way flat screen TV's in every room of your house, which will never switch off and will broadcast EU propaganda at all times, but also send images of your house to the police...it will stop pedophiles snatching your children!!! theyre out there and theyre gonna GET YOU!!

-Think all that is 'little englander' bullshit? the seeds are being sown now, just look around you!

[Fredrik]

'k.

[Janderson]

deathbringer said:

Some scary shit; banning Life of Brian and other things of similar nature.

I hope you were joking!

Is anything good coming out of this Union? At all?

[deathbringer]

Kilroy wont be on telly EVERY day, thats about it...

[Sharessa]

The EU is vital to my country because it's causing us to go to war, which in turn is destabilizing our society which will lead to revolutions and reform. :)

[Zaldron]

Danarchy said:

The EU is vital to my country because it's causing us to go to war, which in turn is destabilizing our society which will lead to revolutions and reform. :)

If we're stuck with strong and weak players in this world, the more strong players, the better.

[deathbringer]

Heh, the EU is not paticularly a 'strong power', its so busy cracking down on people singing christmas carols (on the pretence that it will offend the godly muslims again), they are totally ignoring stuff like blatant human rights abuses and corrupt governments in the ex-USSR Balkan countries..and they expect to 'Stand up to the US'?

(Note, no i do not suppport the idea that britian should have a closer relationship with the US..its too close as it is anyway)

[whatgoat]

Quite apart from all the idiotic laws, I don't think there are (as yet) any good economic reasons to be in europe. All members have to pay a percentage toward the EU budget (Britain's net contrubution last year for example was around £5 billion), and the 'poorer' countries such as portugal, greece, belgium and spain recieve a larger percentage rebate, making some small net profit. The more countries continue to join, the greater the drain on the stronger economies of germany, france, italy and the uk. It's not quite clear what we're currently getting for our £5bn apart from screwed over by the eu commission.



PS: Spain repays us by taking the fish from british waters, having completely exhausted their own, and selling them back to us because the EU says we're not allowed to fish in our own waters thanks to their 'total allowable catch', which limits the number of fish which can be caught (by anyone) for some bullshit conservation reasons. I fail to see how pulling the fish out of the water, then having to throw half of them back dead because you've got 'too many' helps conserve stocks.

And that's why we don't have much of a fishing industry any more.

[myk]

DooMGoaT said:
PS: Spain repays us by taking the fish from british waters, having completely exhausted their own, and selling them back to us because the EU says we're not allowed to fish in our own waters thanks to their 'total allowable catch', which limits the number of fish which can be caught (by anyone) for some bullshit conservation reasons. I fail to see how pulling the fish out of the water, then having to throw half of them back dead because you've got 'too many' helps conserve stocks.

Don't worry about that, you still get plenty fish from around the Malvinas, that you stole over 150 years ago.

[Zaldron]

And seaweed, those sushis sure don't roll themselves.

[fodders]

myk said:

Don't worry about that, you still get plenty fish from around the Malvinas, that you stole over 150 years ago.

Don't you mean The Falkland Islands? :P

[Zaldron]

Don't you mean Iles Malouines?

Sorry, french were the first.

[Scuba Steve]

fodders said:

When countries start paying for oil in Euros things will start to change.

Not if we can help it!

[Janderson]

This sounds bleak.