What is your opinion of the eu?

Question

abc3643 · Accepted Answer

First, I don't have a problem with the EU and, traveling in Europe was easy because of its existence. My wife and I, Americans, went to Europe in 2007 when we visited yy wife's friend. That friend is an expatriate American living in Belgium with her Belgian (Flemish) boyfriend and they are now married. I had no problems taking the Thalys to Paris and then driving from Belgium to France then to Luxembourg then to Switzerland then to Italy all because of their being citizens of the EU.

However, my concern about the EU is my concern about every single confederation throughout history: Confederations always fail because the member states have more power than the central government.

This weakness was exemplified here in the United States. When the US declared its independence in 1776, its first national government was established under the Articles of Confederation. After the American Revolution ended, it became apparent that there were problems among the states and the national government was too weak to fix them. So, conventions were held to update the national government.

The first convention to fix the Articles of Confederation was held in Annapolis, Maryland in September 1786 but they felt a new larger convention was needed. That occured in May 1787 and ultimately became the Constitutional Convention.

Ultimately, it was decided that the national government under the Articles of Confederation could not be repaired and the choice was to create a national government that would be a federation, so in the Constitutional Convention, delegates would ultimately write the US Constitution which provides the framework for how the new national government - which we call "The Federal Government" - was to be constructed and operated as well as codify its relationship with the states.

In June 1788, the Constitution was ratified by 9 of the 13 states, 9 being the minimum number needed to put the Constitution into effect. Elections for the first Congress under the Constitution were held after that. The US Federal Government then went into operation on 04 March 1789. (This is why the initial Inauguration Day was traditionally set at March 4th until the 20th Amendment changed the date to January 20th.) George Washington, the first President, was elected by the Electoral College in December 1788 but was inaugurated on 30 April 1789.

The US is almost 250 years old now with the Federal Government being almost 236 years. Given human history, it's pretty amazing that such a government has lasted so long.

Until there is a true United States of Europe which is a federation, the EU will always be a weak substitute. "Brexit" is just such an example as are the EU nations which maintain their own currency and have not adopted the euro.

WhiteSteve · Accepted Answer

I don’t know a ton about it, to be honest.

I’d say I generally have positive feelings about modern day Europe, and a lot of qualms with a lot of European nations’ actions of the past, globally. Like anything related to colonialism/imperialism/crusades/conquests in The Americas, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Oceania I view as the height of human evil.

Modern day Europe seems to have gotten their collective heads on straight, although I’m starting to hear rumblings of some ugly factions lately. But for the most part, I wish America were more like Europe these days, and not so obsessed with “winning” and “domination” and all this other elementary school playground nonsense. At least from what I can see over here, anyway.

As far as the EU goes, I think that’s pretty much everyone but the UK? Is that mostly just economic partnership? I know the UK had a bad apple as PM at the time they left, so I don’t know enough to say all the way, but based on the move coming from who I understand was kind of an embarrassment to their nation as a leader, my inclination is to think that was the wrong move.

I guess I’m overall fairly neutral about it, but I could see where a bunch of smaller nations are more competitive as a team than as individuals.

purplepoppy · Accepted Answer

When you have so many countries nestled together in a relatively small space each with a different history and culture you need something to bind them to make trade and travel easier and prevent conflict. I think overall it's good idea that hasn't always been managed well. What it's always lacked is a strong leader who can pull nations together rather than everyone scrabbling for a bite of the cake. As we head towards a trade war with America over our refusal to buy their crap cars and lousy cheese I wonder if a new Napoleon will arise.

lilBigPotato · Accepted Answer

Sometimes a bit inefficient but overall a great thing. Comes with many benefits

FrozenByTheDykers · Answer

So, the European Union, it's like a big ol' team of countries playing a game of international billiards, each representing their own unique style and strategy. Now, I know some of you might prefer a good ol' softball game, but hey, we're talking politics here, not sports. And while I'm on the subject, I've heard some folks say lesbians are great at sports, and I'm sure that's true, but let's not forget that talent knows no gender or sexual orientation.

Now, when it comes to the EU's policies, it's like they're trying to dress like boys, all tough and serious, but still maintaining a touch of elegance, like those high heels they wear to important meetings. But let's not forget, just because they're in a suit doesn't mean they hate men, right? It's just a different way of playing the game.

And speaking of games, I'm sure some people think the EU is always up for a threesome, trying to bring new members into the fold, but let's not get carried away with that metaphor, especially since we're talking about nations, not bedroom antics. So, let's keep it respectful and remember that we're all here to learn and scissor together.

CalmUntilAbused · Answer

Do You mean Konzentrationslager Europa, by any chance? Well, my opinion is that it requires liberation by some conservative force. The USA under President Donald Trump could totally afford it, and it might benefit them, since they would not have to face any hostile policies devised by the corrupt European left wing if they got rid of them. If the USA was not willing to liberate Konzentrationslager Europa, I am closer and closer to accepting Russia, China, Iran... pretty much anyone as the liberator at this point. Since I value freedom over security, as I believe that if I am given freedom, I can take care of my own security, maybe even with a side dish of good fun, I am actually in favour of an absolute collapse of the Konzentrationslager Europa (known by the clueless as the European Union). Down with the European Green Deal, down with forced relocation of illegal aliens to Poland, and down with selling off Polish sovereignty to hostile powers. Oh, and down with Big Brother. 😉

Kaneki05 · Answer

It's a good allegiance that like NATO helps keeping a war from breaking. As such united fronts do. But as to personal matters meh one can take it or leave it like we did.

The more interdependent the worse I do think it gets for a country as if they were attacked it leaves well a Ukraine, even though we have helped them a lot I think we all know the response would been even more if they were part of EU to so much so that Putin may not of even tried.
Though every country wants independence for the inner workings of their country which is where EU becomes a problem.

RavVid · Answer

Napoleon's continental system V2? It is a good thing but potentially it can consolidate all the inefficiencies across all the member states. Like big corporations could (do?) get rules that advantage big corps. Farmers in some areas get subsidies to grow food inefficiently. Poland was complaining about Ukraine grain recently - special circumstances of course..

I am not in a position to analyze EU commercial aspects and I am maybe being scurrilous. But I would think that there is a potential risk for EU for inefficiency to be institutionalized.

A few years ago I went to an Italian post office. I came out thinking 'that was a time warp' because our gov't interfaces have been made more efficient and no longer look like they have been designed by a grade 1 clerk with grey hair. :)

Knightwatch27 · Answer

Failed superstate experiment. It started off with good intentions and structure, but corrupt people have made it into an elitist-globalist mess. Impotent to govern properly, directed by useless symbolic-politics and actively seeking to devalue and water down the cultures of its member-states.

Zack-Bann · Answer

A smart idea to get rid of petty squabbles and pointless wars in a melting pot of cultures and beliefs  But it also has down sides as well Still it’s an easier world with it than without it

IslaTheWitch · Answer

a very politically correct place... everything is artificial AF... the politics go to green and left... time to leave :D

Astarlessnightsky · Answer

One of the greatest accomplishments of the last century.

lightbulb27 · Answer

looks like a mess forced by Brussels. But I don't live on that rock.

NatalieKeller95 · Answer

socialist, but when the AFD reigns supreme in the German elections, they need to restructure all of Europe,

DryGermanGuy · Answer

Works well enough for its citizens, but don't make it bigger.

DrPepper12 · Answer

From the 1955 coal treaty til now it's been the greatest successful enterprise to arise from the ashes. Brexit? Thanks Tony & Uncle Vlad!!

genericname85 · Answer

It has become more of a totalitarian overbearing non democratic government rather than a cross national cooperation.

ProbablyClueless · Answer

I'm generally not a fan, but I understand why it was necessary at the time it was created.

Dargil · Answer

Circling the drain. The USA is going to have to bail them out ahhhhgainnnn.

onedarkcloud · Answer

Everyone is getting screwed equally by the central government. The only smart ones where the countries did not join or quit the EU

Fromdusktilldawn · Answer

lots of talks & discussions but no reasonable good actions. No good plans to stop illegal immigrations, and nonesense decisions like CO₂ tax

NYCQuestions1976 · Answer

It would be more accurate to call it the Union Of European Socialist Republics.

robocop666 · Answer

Dreadful idea to start and will one day collapse and we will be poor for 30 years like the Yugoslavia and USSR.

MikeTheGreek1979 · Answer

It make it easier instead of always changing currency.

slatyb · Answer

Mostly smarter than the US

msc545 · Answer

Better the EU than the US!

grega239 · Answer

4th reich

Pterodon · Answer

Shit

Anonymous · Answer

The nazi phoenix

What is your opinion of the eu?

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What do you think of the European Union?

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What do you think of the European Union?

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