The UK is to have a referendum on the treaty and I am wondering about the other EU countries. I am interested in everybody’s perspective - there are some questions for Americans and others down the bottom, but feel free to answer any questions that you want to.


ok


1) What country are you from?

The United States of America

2) Are you having a referendum on the proposed EU constitution? If you don't do you think you should?

No. And Yes

3) Have you read the constitution?

Not yet, but I plan to, when I have time.

4) I have read parts (because I don't trust the BBC or any other news outlet to portray it in an unbiased fashion). I plan on reading it fully. Would you find it useful for me to make post summaries and what I think the implications are of the various articles?

*yawn* I'd rather you just told me, really

5) If there were a referendum tomorrow how would you vote (assume just a yes or no question – yes to accept, and no to reject)?

No.

6) Do you plan on voting in the European elections in the summer?

Yes

For those that are having a referendum:

I guess that doesn't apply to me

I'll answer anyway

7) Do you think that your government will set a simple, unbiased question just about the EU constitution?

*assumes Germanity* Yes

*assumes Britishness* No way in Hell

For the Americans & others:

The EU is getting to a scale where it can compete with the US economically. The EU is enlarging from 15 to 25 countries this year. At this point it will be bigger than the US in terms of population and the economic gap will diminish even more, possibly, over time to a situation where it will be bigger than the US.

a) What is your impression of the EU at the moment?

It's a collection of sovereign states, sharing policies outlined in previously agreed treaties.

b) Do you know much about it?

About what?

Yeah, I'd say I'm relatively informed

c) Does the above (the intro to question 8, i.e. EU getting just as big if not bigger than the US) bother you?

Yes.

d) Why? / Why not?

The United States is one sovereign state* (I know that sounds contradictory, but according to the definition of "state" I am using here, it is true). The EU is made up of various sovereign states. I'm not sure if it is necessarily in the interest of all countries involved to lose sovereignty.

e) Do you think it is good to have a counter-balance to the US?

That depends on what you mean by counterbalance.

Perhaps, I suppose, but only if it were to better existing relations between the two, both compromising on domestic and foreign policy, making them mutually benificial. Do I think that will happen? Honestly, no. Still I would rather work together than work to undermine one another.

Besides, it would make for even more quarrels with you

OK, that's about it. Thanks to those of you that take the time to respond - I am really very interested in all your opinions .

Don't I know it


*A body politic, especially one constituting a nation


Aviendha
Excalibur's Mississippian
Druid's cute, dutiful, if pert, niece