EU constitution

[Dutch Baka]

Okay the 4th of july i can vote for YES OR NO.... if netherlands will join the EU constitution... right now it is a 60% no in the netherlands and the goverment worries a lot about it.

im still thinking about what should i do?

one way i want to say now, because i dont want a United states of EUrope... i think netherlands will lose a lot of things in the future, like gay marriage, legal soft-drugs, etc etc... this is why i would say NO

but, i think if it will be a NO , it will be verry bad for the economic, because were are being closed out.... this means no salary raises, higher prices, etc etc and this is what the dutch really do not want at all!!!!! so this is why i would say YES

im having a hard time to choose, maybe i shouldnt choose because i will leave my country anyway, but it still stays my country!!!

so please help me vote, what did you vote? what would you vote, what advice can you give me???


p.s. sorry if my spelling is wrong, and some facts arnt completle right.

[Miss_apollo7]

In Denmark, we will have a referendum the 27. September 2005.

I would vote yes, so decision-making could be planned federally among the member states and have directly elected Parliament. Then, we can become a strong Europe and become one strong and serious player in world politics.

[Mycernius]

Tony Blair keeps saying that we will have a referendum on this, whether or not France and The Netherlands vote no. But I have a feeling that there would be a strong no vote in the UK (no surprise) and Tony might not be there to make the choice. As for you Dutch Baka I would vote for what feels right for you. Do you feel that Europe is strong enough at the moment without a constitution? That we will move closer together without being forced by Brussels, or do we need it to make us move closer?

[Alma]

if i live that long to see this for my country...
uh... what to say, dutch, vote what you feel that is best for you and your familly, i guess. it is hard, i would vote now for yes, because my country is sooo troubled etc, but you know best for your country. hey, it is really big decition, good luck!

[Duo]

man, I wish i would have the oppurtinity to vote, damm, i envy you guys sometimes

But um, dutch baka I think you should vote YES most defenetely I mean dont think Europe is against gay marriage and soft drugs, in belgium already there is gay marriage and stuff, soooo, plus I dont think the constitution will change things like that, it's just something that increase federalism and efficiancy of the new European system.

Anyways, I don't get why in France also there seems to be an attitude towards going no, now the netherlands :S, and also the UK :s

this is gettin a bit depressing, we are supposed to keep on going forward, not backward

[bossel]

Maybe you should 1st read the constitution & then make your decision. If I see it right, not that much will change, anyway.

Constitution
Charter of Fundamental Rights (PDF, integral part of the constitution)

I suppose, it won't really matter, though. If only one country doesn't ratify the whole thing is void. If not France, the UK will vote "no". If not the UK, some other...

[thomas]

The term "plebiscite" derives from the Latin "plebs", that's why my government took no risks and decided not to hold a referendum, lolol. The Austrian parliament ratified the constitution last week. Personally, I understand the qualms eurosceptics hold against the constitution, but this is certainly a historic step for Europe that shouldn't be frustrated by internal bickering and national considerations.

As bossel pointed out, not a lot is going to change anyhow, but a symbolic display of unity would be of utmost importance.

[Dutch Baka]

thanks for all the reply's , yes im sure going to read , hear more about the constitution the next week, as i really want to vote. this friday there is a 2 hour program on tv about it,, and i will just sit down with a nice beer in my hand watching it!

i think the thing is in the netherlands ( maybe more country's) that the feel so betreated betrayted by the goverment here, with the euro first of all, and things like that, that they dont trust this so good, of course now maybe nothing change, but maybe in the future it will be.

before the euro came the all promised good things, but everything just becom worst, i do not know any dutch who is happy with the euro, i see some benifets in it, but as long as the salary's dont rise ( if the will rise, they will steal your money from other things)

i dont know good how this is in other country's what they feel about the euro?

so yeah, in my opinion, and what i have heard, the dutch just dont trust it, for what will happen in the future.

I WILL READ MORE AND SEE MORE, thanks to ya all!!!

[Lacan]

France will (I hope) vote no, not for internal bickering and national considerations, but for for a renegociation of the constitutional treaty. If you read the constitution you will see why...

[Duo]

Are you also one of those people afraid that Turkey will join?

Can you explain to me why? Your points and objections.....

[Lacan]

Are you also one of those people afraid that Turkey will join?

Can you explain to me why? Your points and objections.....

I welcome Turkey in the EU, Turkey is a part of europe, but this has nothing to do with the constitution...

my points:

-total independence of the european bank, no control of the fluctuation of the €uro
-NATO as the principal defense of europe, it's difficult to have a diplomatic weight if you do not control your army isn't it. And remenber the Irak conflict...
-european deputies has no right to present law projects, a majority of social deputies are useless if no social laws are presented to vote
-any help of a government to a private society or entreprise are prohibited, good thing the AIRBUS A320 is already finished...
-and finally we won't be able to change anything in this constittution if it is ratified... scary
Those are the major problems French have with this constitution, just change this five points and France will ratified this treaty.

oh and please excuse my poor english skills

[bossel]

-total independence of the european bank, no control of the fluctuation of the €uro

What would be the problem with that? The German Bundesbank was always rather independent, no problems in Germany.

-NATO as the principal defense of europe, it's difficult to have a diplomatic weight if you do not control your army isn't it. And remenber the Irak conflict...

Can't see your point here, either. Coordination on a European level should increase, but defence will still be a largely national task, there won't be too many changes here. (see article I 41)

-european deputies has no right to present law projects

Where does this stand in the constitution? For what I know, the exact rules of how the parliament will work in the future have to be layed down in new laws which are not part of the constitution. Could you point me to the article where it states what you wrote?

Addendum: I just found this in the protocols section (part4, prot.2, art.4):
"The European Parliament shall forward its draft European legislative acts and its amended drafts to national Parliaments."
Therefore it seems as if the EP will have some legislative rights.

-any help of a government to a private society or entreprise are prohibited

Could you point to the article where this is stated? Not that I would be opposed to this, since the usefulness of economic aid to single companies is dubious at best. Subsidies in general are not prohibited, anyway. You should read protocol 29 (part IV) for this. Quote:
"RECALLING that the provisions of Section 3 of Chapter III of Title III of Part III of the Constitution, on economic, social and territorial cohesion as a whole provide the legal basis for consolidating and further developing the Union's action in this field, including the creation of a fund;"

-and finally we won't be able to change anything in this constittution if it is ratified... scary

Where does it say so? Anyway, AFAIK any member state has the right to quit the EU later on. Therefore if a country is unhappy with the constitution it can say good bye.

[Dutch Baka]

i dont know if i welcome turkey to the EU yet, if i see what happend a couple of months ago with the woman that were protastating and that the police were really hard to them, i think no, i think turkey still need to change some thing before they can join in... other way i think it is really good that the come , it will unit the west with the m_east more if you ask me

about the constitution, isnt it just way to early to do it? why now? why not in 5 years
first the EURO, which havnt done much good yet, and then the Constitution,,,, how to trust that, when they didnt won our trust with the Euro???

[Mycernius]

I heard on the news that some politician from Luxembourg has said that France and the Netherlands should keep having referendums until they get the yes vote. Democracy at work.

[Dutch Baka]

I heard on the news that some politician from Luxembourg has said that France and the Netherlands shopuld keep having referendums until they get the yes vote. Democracy at work.

yeah some dutch guy said this, that if the dutchies so NO, there should be a new referendum ( mmm i want to vote on this guy so he could become premier, but im reconsidering this)

[RockLee]

I don't want more Turkish or Moroccean peepz in Belgium, not because I'm a rascist, but because there has to be a limit.Right now there are WHOLE NEIGHBOURHOODS filled with immigrants where I live.And those people just won't adjust to our way of life.There have been a lot of problems with them and they make demands that are not reasonable.They want Arabic as the 4th official language in Belgium ??? like WTF??? There is a treshold, and they are crossing it very very bad ! If they would integrate in our society,and would act like normal people they would be better accepted in my opinion.I think they are doing it to themselves.

Also I can't go anywhere (unless remaining at home) without hearing at least 1 conversation in Turkish.It's driving me mad I wish there would be more Japanese...at least I would benefit from it :P

[Duo]

i dont know if i welcome turkey to the EU yet, if i see what happend a couple of months ago with the woman that were protastating and that the police were really hard to them, i think no, i think turkey still need to change some thing before they can join in... other way i think it is really good that the come , it will unit the west with the m_east more if you ask me

about the constitution, isnt it just way to early to do it? why now? why not in 5 years
first the EURO, which havnt done much good yet, and then the Constitution,,,, how to trust that, when they didnt won our trust with the Euro???

I'm sorry but i'm gonna have to ask you, have you ever been to Turkey before ?

A loft of people that are anti-turkish i think have no idea what this country is about. It has been labeled as this backward muslim country that can like destroy european values and that will invade europe and what not........... and whose people are all dark looking with huge mustaches and women with veils.

Well let me tell you that's totally the wrong picture. Western Turkey, especially, is one of the most "europeanized" parts of the Balkan I seen. The people at first, looks wise, look like your avearage european, and also beahavior wise they are very very similar to the rest of balkan countries, ie GReece, Slovenia, the latter EU members, etccc........

Then as religion is concerned, Turkey has a very very strong secular sentiment, especially in the bureacracy and the army. I agree that there are some issues, economy a bit for example and the issue of the Kurds and what not, but instead of shunning Turks away, Europe should put its arm around it and favor positive change and improvment, and lastly, we can not leave out a country that has been such an important player in European history and demographic change. In Turkey, especially Instanbul, there has been a gene orgy, south eastern balkanic genes are all over the place there with huge Bosnian and Albanian minorities, and let's not forget GReek; turkey and greece have had a 50% gene transfer with each other through the ages.

[alexriversan]

now, i read your post, and had an idea:

same sex couple can buy licence to live together for one year, like dog licence.

including the PURPOSE. means, credit card institute can access the data field "PURPOSE". and, this does not include "grow up children". or, additional camera in the dining room, for safety purpose*. do not know if you would like to have that.

now, experience shows, such relationship often ends after three years.

so, banish the marriage discussion, and introduce a licence. means, people pay for that. not the other way round, gettin tax relief.

wouldn't it occur as a big PITY, to abandon all the smokin/boozin liberty, holland has obtained?

it occured, only 6/7 percent of NL people use to smoke hash, even if allowed. most people stay away from it.

*medicians would argue, to monitor correct nourishing. they can "be" quite cynical.

hope you excuse my disapproval by that contribution.

[Mycernius]

I don't think the UK has any problem with Turkey becoming a full member of the EU. Tony Blair is for them, but from what I can gather the French government don't want them to become full members. I cannot see why they can't. everyone one mentions human rights abuses to the Kurds, but the UK has done this and is in the EU, and so have other EU members with their minority groups.

[Dutch Baka]

now, i read your post, and had an idea:

same sex couple can buy licence to live together for one year, like dog licence.

including the PURPOSE. means, credit card institute can access the data field "PURPOSE". and, this does not include "grow up children". or, additional camera in the dining room, for safety purpose*. do not know if you would like to have that.

now, experience shows, such relationship often ends after three years.

so, banish the marriage discussion, and introduce a licence. means, people pay for that. not the other way round, gettin tax relief.

wouldn't it occur as a big PITY, to abandon all the smokin/boozin liberty, holland has obtained?

it occured, only 6/7 percent of NL people use to smoke hash, even if allowed. most people stay away from it.

*medicians would argue, to monitor correct nourishing. they can "be" quite cynical.

hope you excuse my disapproval by that contribution.

is this about the EU, or about the gay marriage?????

[Dutch Baka]

I'm sorry but i'm gonna have to ask you, have you ever been to Turkey before ?

A loft of people that are anti-turkish i think have no idea what this country is about. It has been labeled as this backward muslim country that can like destroy european values and that will invade europe and what not........... and whose people are all dark looking with huge mustaches and women with veils.

Well let me tell you that's totally the wrong picture. Western Turkey, especially, is one of the most "europeanized" parts of the Balkan I seen. The people at first, looks wise, look like your avearage european, and also beahavior wise they are very very similar to the rest of balkan countries, ie GReece, Slovenia, the latter EU members, etccc........

Then as religion is concerned, Turkey has a very very strong secular sentiment, especially in the bureacracy and the army. I agree that there are some issues, economy a bit for example and the issue of the Kurds and what not, but instead of shunning Turks away, Europe should put its arm around it and favor positive change and improvment, and lastly, we can not leave out a country that has been such an important player in European history and demographic change. In Turkey, especially Instanbul, there has been a gene orgy, south eastern balkanic genes are all over the place there with huge Bosnian and Albanian minorities, and let's not forget GReek; turkey and greece have had a 50% gene transfer with each other through the ages.

No i havnt been there, but i have turkisch friends for all my life. I AM NOT ANTI-TURKISCH, if you mean that, just i dont know if turkey is ready for it yes or no. thats it, for the rest i know turkey is a modern country, with such friendly people, and im not afraid they will invate europe at ALL....

so for one more time, i dont look negative to turkey, just i dont think they are ready yet!!!!

[Duo]

No i havnt been there, but i have turkisch friends for all my life. I AM NOT ANTI-TURKISCH, if you mean that, just i dont know if turkey is ready for it yes or no. thats it, for the rest i know turkey is a modern country, with such friendly people, and im not afraid they will invate europe at ALL....

so for one more time, i dont look negative to turkey, just i dont think they are ready yet!!!!

Well, for that neither is romania or bulgaria but oddly enough they are entering

Lacan I don't understand what you're so happy about, what new democratic Europe ?

Democracy works only efficiently with representative and delegated powers, and countries of europe have to start to delegate powers to the EU system and try to understand that if we are going to have a united europe we need to take bold steps else we are gonna either ruin all the progress till now or progress with small tiny steps and by then europe's power and influnce will be minimal. It really is a race against time I think, but whatever, you think im wrong and i think you're wrong, so I guess we can't change our minds, but I def know that people who are anti EU are wrong, and ppl who dont try to compromise things and let some things slide that they dont like are also wrong. Look at the American state-makin progress, Jefferson agreed to the constitution but also wanted a bill of rights, he didnt sabotage it, but waited 11 or so years until the bill was added, he compromised, i dont think ppl can just say NO like that. Plus in France a big issue of the EU constitution was that people didnt like the gov and voted no and were scared by interan ******* politicians who used this as a means to gain influence and what not to gain further popularity by scaring the people with idiotic things like Turkey will be in etc etc etc. internal politics ruined the real debate.......

[Dutch Baka]

Well, for that neither is romania or bulgaria but oddly enough they are entering

Lol we start talking about turkey, not about other country's sorry next time i will think about all the other things more then what we talk about. LOL

what do you think about it DUO, about france said NO, and what does it mean for the consitution now?

[jhough37]

As a history student it is very interesting to see the debates about this and reflect on the same type of debates that took place in establishing the constitution of the United States of America. I wonder if we can look back in a few decades and really compare.

[Mycernius]

As a history student it is very interesting to see the debates about this and reflect on the same type of debates that took place in establishing the constitution of the United States of America. I wonder if we can look back in a few decades and really compare.

You could look to the US, but it is different in Europe to the US. The US was really 13 colonies from one country. They had the same language and the same cultural background. Within the EU you have 15 countries with different backgrounds and languages. The problems with the EU constitution would be cultural differences. What is acceptable in Germany may not be acceptable in Greece, not that the Germans had much choice in whether they want the constitution or not.