tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406430766424642773.post8565820665341574518..comments2023-09-28T12:28:57.598+03:00Comments on Grahnlaw: Eurobarometer: Separating the wheat from the chaffRalf Grahn http://www.blogger.com/profile/02156293782163802007noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406430766424642773.post-44887670609823660812010-09-01T16:21:50.153+03:002010-09-01T16:21:50.153+03:00Eurocentric,
I referred to the 75 per cent for b...Eurocentric, <br /><br />I referred to the 75 per cent for better economic policy coordination, so the numbers are overwhelming. <br /><br />However, you have a point, because people just don't know what has been proposed by the Commission, agreed in outline by the Van Rompuy task force, partly decided concerning financial supervision etc. Nor have these been explained in a manner comprehensible for normal citizens. <br /><br />Concrete proposals tend to get shot down fairly easily if they are more than cosmetic. <br /><br />I'll have to interpret questions, context and replies as best I can, when I move forward; as openly as possible to facilitate different reasoning.<br /><br />In principle, I have one basic political assumption for my experiment: the general European interest (as I see it).Ralf Grahn https://www.blogger.com/profile/02156293782163802007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406430766424642773.post-8487306756550107032010-09-01T15:59:55.854+03:002010-09-01T15:59:55.854+03:00I would still be very careful in saying that there...I would still be very careful in saying that there's overwhelming support for a European solution; I think that there's an openness for European measures, but that people will only accept good ones (what's "good" will undoubtedly differ from person to person).<br /><br />However, using the trust percentages of the EU institutions to argue that they shouldn't act at all is a very strange argument. You could easily counter that based solely on the trust levels national government shouldn't try introducing new measures - and, indeed, that the EU is a more legitimate decision-maker. But ignoring the context like that just leads to a surreal and ultimately pointless argument.<br /><br />Who would seriously suggest inaction by - or even the abolition of - the national governments based on their comparitively bad polling performance?Eurocentrichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09439536905456080079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406430766424642773.post-18386611389175335412010-09-01T15:09:57.212+03:002010-09-01T15:09:57.212+03:00Edgar,
I have no wish to limit your expression o...Edgar, <br /><br />I have no wish to limit your expression on this blog, but as a blogger I thought that you might feel more space and get more credit for your 'out of the box thinking' on La lettre volée, so the choice is up to you.<br /><br />Either way, I am looking forwards to your contributions to the debate on Europe.Ralf Grahn https://www.blogger.com/profile/02156293782163802007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406430766424642773.post-70245439458256250752010-09-01T14:56:42.884+03:002010-09-01T14:56:42.884+03:00I'll do as usual, the cavalier way. And I won&...I'll do as usual, the cavalier way. And I won't occupy the apparently limited room of your weblog.<br /><br />Regards.edgarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406430766424642773.post-17558796195888365802010-09-01T14:14:20.160+03:002010-09-01T14:14:20.160+03:00Edgar,
I have tried to use reasoning in this ser...Edgar, <br /><br />I have tried to use reasoning in this series of blog posts on the Eurobarometer poll (as well as other subjects dealt with on this blog). <br /><br />Because you tell me you are more interested in reasoning (than something else), I just repeat the request I made you (concerning you blog, where you have room): <br /><br />Please, make an effort.Ralf Grahn https://www.blogger.com/profile/02156293782163802007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406430766424642773.post-6239730348109478952010-09-01T13:36:42.485+03:002010-09-01T13:36:42.485+03:00I must admit I do really think out of the box (I t...I must admit I do really think out of the box (I tend to find funny now the nth guy coming with "you know what, I've got this brand new idea, we should have more europe instead of less". ahah !).<br /><br />Your comment does not express anything other than surprise (and in fact I am younger than you are).<br /><br />I am more interested by reasoning.<br /><br />Regards anyway,edgarhttp://www.lalettrevolee.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406430766424642773.post-56954882884728323102010-09-01T13:16:52.208+03:002010-09-01T13:16:52.208+03:00Edgar,
Not content with missing the entry into f...Edgar, <br /><br />Not content with missing the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty nine months ago, you reveal that you hanker back to the May 2005 French referendum, the 1992 Maastricht Treaty and still backwards beyond the 1957 Treaties of Rome, leaving the EU and the euro currency. <br /><br />You would still temper your secessionist urges by remaining in the Council of Europe, together with Russia and what it sees as its 'near abroad'. <br /><br /><br /><br />When I read your blog post, I thought that your ideas were just eructations of a grumpy old man, but you have me astounded.<br /><br /><br />Attaboy, are you a radical!Ralf Grahn https://www.blogger.com/profile/02156293782163802007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406430766424642773.post-87054666550471668602010-09-01T12:30:53.698+03:002010-09-01T12:30:53.698+03:00"The world has to move on" is an argumen..."The world has to move on" is an argument of the hegelian kind. You probably are aware of the true meaning of history and know what is best for the world.<br />I am quite fond of Karl Popper political writings and am much more humble.<br />What I know is that in France the Lisbon treaty has been passed illegitimately and some say illegally.<br />What should be done for France instead of praying the Commission to come with a good idea is this :<br />- opting out of the euro and adopt a 30% lower value against a basket of most common currencies (USD, JPY, CNY and euro, of course).<br />- adopting publicly a policy of adjusting parity exchange at pruchasing power parity. taxing products from country that deliberately underevaluate their currencies.<br /><br />Many other things must be done but for those just two economic priorities we would have to opt out the european union. So be it. We would stay members of the European council, which is fine.<br /><br />Regards.edgarhttp://www.lalettrevolee.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406430766424642773.post-59037380794629961402010-09-01T12:13:04.048+03:002010-09-01T12:13:04.048+03:00Edgar,
Whether you like it or not, the Lisbon Tr...Edgar, <br /><br />Whether you like it or not, the Lisbon Treaty is in force since 1 December 2009; legally, having been agreed by 27 member state governments and ratified by elected parliaments in all the members according to their constitutional rules and procedures (after the positive referendum in Ireland). <br /><br />You are, of course, free to continue grumbling, but the world has moved on. <br /><br />If you wanted to move into current affairs, you could, of course, look at the overwhelming support for solutions at EU level and the relatively strong position of the European Union in people's minds when it comes to finding someone to tackle the economic and employment challenges Europeans clearly experience. <br /><br />Effective solutions are much more than a question of the Commission. As you must know, they require decisive measures by the EU member states, represented in the European Council and the Council of the European Union. <br /><br />If you reject EU level solutions safeguarding the common currency, economic stability, better supervision of financial institutions and reforms to modernise European economies and create new and better jobs, I would be most interested to see your detailed and convincing alternative proposals. <br /><br />Please, make an effort.Ralf Grahn https://www.blogger.com/profile/02156293782163802007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406430766424642773.post-19865937488473595812010-09-01T10:54:33.703+03:002010-09-01T10:54:33.703+03:00It is precisely because of its (absence of) track ...It is precisely because of its (absence of) track record that the european commission should not try to increase its powers supposedly to fight crisis.<br /><br />Sinking support shown by the last eurobarometer is just a proof that people all across europe are not convinced by past actions of the european institutions and do not want more of this.<br /><br />You could deem my opinions as cavalier. The very fact that the European commission is claiming reinforced powers although the Lisbon treaty went on illegitimately - and some distinguished lawyers in France argued illegally - is much more cavalier.<br />In fact you do not argue against crime. You just fight it.<br /><br />Regards.<br />Edgar, ParisEdgarhttp://www.lalettrevolee.netnoreply@blogger.com