Where is my country going ?

[Don Corleone]

Well, I don't want to turn this into "cultural & economic observations of China & it's people" so I'll just let that whole sub-thread die at this point, maybe start a new thread on the topic.

In the meantime, you questioned my use of the term 'life & death' as relating to capital punishment and that each member nation would retain it's own judicial system. What you're overlooking is that while you're correct, you will be merging your foreign policy, your national defense, and most importantly, your tax policy. All of these are vital aspects of a 'nations' survival, if you will. I am a firm believer in the axiom 'the power to tax is the power to destroy'. I think the EU is a good step for the majority of Europe, but I think you ought to be very careful about what is and is not spelled out in the contract before you sign in blood. Once made, there's no unmaking. Take the time to get the details right, make sure there's no loopholes that can be exploited by blantant opportunists, and your EU government doesn't wind up like an EU clone of the UN.

[Al Khalifah]

Well, lets not forget the referendum was done during an economical crisis. In such a time, people have the urge to say 'no' to something. Had the answers been reversed, maybe the result would be different. We will see what the people think when the economy is better again.

This is an unfair justification for the French people to vote no. The argument that: The French are voting no on the EU because their economy is in a bad state is fair enough, but could this not simply be a reflection of another possible point:
The French economy is in a bad state because of the EU.

Which is the cause and which is the effect?

[bmolsson]

The French economy is in a bad state because of the EU.

Only if Bush invented EU......

[doc_bean]

The EU doesn't have the authority to claim new domains of taxation (I even think this is expressly forbidden in the constitution, but it's been a while).

A significant part of the budget comes from the countries donating a percentage of their GNP, but this amount is not set (I think it is limited), and the amount has to be approved by the individual nations (the 'council of ministers').

Besides, if the constitution was approved, any country would have been able to leave the Union.



(I really should read that damn constitution again to make sure that what I'm saying is right, but let's assume it is until someone proves me wrong )