Why would I want to join the EU? Sombody explain please

[HoreTore]

As for privacy, Norway is in the 'systemic failure to uphold safeguards' category

I know. And I sincerely doubt that bringing in more control freaks is the solution to that problem.

As far as I can see, joining the EU means reinforcing everything I hate in this country, and taking away the things I do like, like the few monopolies and state controlled areas we have left.

As for the state monopoly on alcohol; I actually love it. The stores have an extremely good selection of whisky, and if they don't have it, they'll order it and have it in a few days... If the monopoly is lifted, I fear a future where I'm forced to drink cheap vodka because it's impossible to find anything else without traveling across the country... And they have a good selection of local beer, a thing you can't find in any other store/bar here(the big companies force them out). The price I can live with, I only drink islay scotch so it's going to be expensive anyway

[Zim]

Do you really think ending a state monopoly on alcohol would have that serious of an effect? I live in America, and in a small economically depressed town, and I've never been forced drink Vodka from a plastic jug due to the lack of anything better.

It would be nice if someone could force concert venues to have decent beer, though...

I know. And I sincerely doubt that bringing in more control freaks is the solution to that problem.

As far as I can see, joining the EU means reinforcing everything I hate in this country, and taking away the things I do like, like the few monopolies and state controlled areas we have left.

As for the state monopoly on alcohol; I actually love it. The stores have an extremely good selection of whisky, and if they don't have it, they'll order it and have it in a few days... If the monopoly is lifted, I fear a future where I'm forced to drink cheap vodka because it's impossible to find anything else without traveling across the country... And they have a good selection of local beer, a thing you can't find in any other store/bar here(the big companies force them out). The price I can live with, I only drink islay scotch so it's going to be expensive anyway

[Kagemusha]

Like Adrian II said. Just keep out and obey, you Norse.We are happy to get your money without you having anything to say on anything.

[Pannonian]

Because the addition of Norway will mean Scandinavia has a less suggestive shape on the Euro?

[KrooK]

If you are joining EU, you are loosing something but gaining something too.

You are loosing
1) part of your independence - there are debates about size of this part (its other thing so lets leave it) but something you are loosing.
2) you have to respect European Court of Justice
3) you have to allow other EU citizens on equal terms into works and similar

You are earning
1) You can drive from Lisbon to Helsinki without passport (Schengen)
2) EU gives many cash on agriculture (polish farmers earnt much on joining)
3) If you don't want allow on something ,you can use veto.
4) Polish president is generally OK - we have someone funny all the time :P
5) EU gives cash practically on everything :) More stupid is it - more cash they give :)


However Norway is already into EOG so most of mentioned points from both groups is already into use for you.

[Fragony]

Veto is finito with the constitution, that why the Polish pm made such a ruckus. Now we have a overarching government that is above our own, and what that can lead to when the dutch high-court could actually be evaded by the european court, goes directly against our legal system creepy as hell that they could do that. The setup Norway uses is fine I wish our government respected our vote.

[HoreTore]

If you are joining EU, you are loosing something but gaining something too.

You are loosing
1) part of your independence - there are debates about size of this part (its other thing so lets leave it) but something you are loosing.
2) you have to respect European Court of Justice
3) you have to allow other EU citizens on equal terms into works and similar

1. I'm not a fan of centralization when the regions are doing just fine.
2. We already are, and I have no real problem with that. Except the financial issues(ie. damn market liberals).
3. No, that's not how it is. Equal terms is a false statement. The truth is that we must allow (for example) polish workers to work here on polish terms. The trouble is, polish wages and work conditions are appalling compared to ours, and honestly, working here on a polish wage is like slavery. The way it is now, polish workers are entitled to norwegian wages when they work here, which I like.

You are earning
1) You can drive from Lisbon to Helsinki without passport (Schengen)
2) EU gives many cash on agriculture (polish farmers earnt much on joining)
3) If you don't want allow on something ,you can use veto.
4) Polish president is generally OK - we have someone funny all the time :P
5) EU gives cash practically on everything :) More stupid is it - more cash they give :)

1. Schengen is a seperate issue, you don't have to be part of neither the EU nor anything else for that to apply, all you need is to be a member of the Schengen.
2. They won't give that cash to us.
3. Politicians are way too weak to use the veto on anything that matters.
4. Bah.
5. I'm not really a big fan of wasting money like drunken sailors...

@ Frags: What you just said is what we're saying about the deal we currently have with the EU... We voted twice against membership, then the politicians ignored that and joined the EEA...

Because the addition of Norway will mean Scandinavia has a less suggestive shape on the Euro?

Take a closer look at Scandinavia, and see what southern norway, southern sweden and denmark look like together...

[gibsonsg91921]

Without the EU, Da Vinci Code would have had the worst ending as Robert Langdon and Sophie Neveu are unable to cross the Franco-Swiss border without a passport to get the keystone from the bank in Zurich.