tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406430766424642773.comments2023-09-28T12:28:57.598+03:00GrahnlawRalf Grahn http://www.blogger.com/profile/02156293782163802007noreply@blogger.comBlogger2172125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406430766424642773.post-58135942639598784222013-03-08T10:05:33.778+03:002013-03-08T10:05:33.778+03:00Sadly this Blogger blog just does not accept parag...Sadly this Blogger blog just does not accept paragraphs. I wonder why. Ralf Grahn https://www.blogger.com/profile/02156293782163802007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406430766424642773.post-34675544974047906422012-04-01T06:28:00.138+03:002012-04-01T06:28:00.138+03:00Opalkatze,
Thank you for your comment. It looks ...Opalkatze, <br /><br />Thank you for your comment. It looks like sound advise, but I'll have to think about how much energy I have to make real changes.Ralf Grahn https://www.blogger.com/profile/02156293782163802007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406430766424642773.post-42811838697964419342012-03-31T14:25:58.901+03:002012-03-31T14:25:58.901+03:00Hi Ralf,
what Alex says. WordPress is easy to use...Hi Ralf,<br /><br />what Alex says. WordPress is easy to use and - far more important - it's easy to migrate your old blogs to it. WordPress.com is the hosted costless version which has enough themes, widgets and graphical possibilities. WordPress.org is the self-hosted version where you can do whatever you want. On both, service people are fast and friendly. Give it a try.<br /><br />Greez veraAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406430766424642773.post-19970487483386922952012-03-19T08:06:45.696+02:002012-03-19T08:06:45.696+02:00Thank you, Juristen, for the congratulations as we...Thank you, Juristen, for the congratulations as well as for your thoughtful writing on information society issues.Ralf Grahn https://www.blogger.com/profile/02156293782163802007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406430766424642773.post-79061784046209756192012-03-19T05:17:12.665+02:002012-03-19T05:17:12.665+02:00Some pro-ACTA spin (propaganda), but not an ounce ...Some pro-ACTA spin (propaganda), but not an ounce of new information, analysis from member states etc.<br /><br />Worthless in substance. <br /><br />The nicest thing I find to say is that the Council information (before and after) is symptomatic of how the DG Trade has viewed the interests and concerns of EU citizens from the beginning of the ACTA negotiation process.<br /><br />If the public is "misinformed" or even spreading "misinformation", according to De Gucht, this was a lost opportunity to start discussing with (not only to) citizens.Ralf Grahn https://www.blogger.com/profile/02156293782163802007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406430766424642773.post-76931034158769867402012-03-18T16:03:57.783+02:002012-03-18T16:03:57.783+02:00Hurrah! That is good news (for the moment)Hurrah! That is good news (for the moment)Commission of Ideashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12094091283732680969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406430766424642773.post-33784807130179579102012-03-17T21:19:02.503+02:002012-03-17T21:19:02.503+02:00Congratulations from a colleague in Sweden.Congratulations from a colleague in Sweden.Juristenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07244662464037098526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406430766424642773.post-31694925614846210042012-03-13T17:16:12.141+02:002012-03-13T17:16:12.141+02:00Margaret,
I am sorry to say that I haven't s...Margaret, <br /><br />I am sorry to say that I haven't seen any update and don't know if there is one. <br /><br />You are probably familiar with the IATE term bank http://iate.europa.eu/iatediff/switchLang.do?success=mainPage&lang=en and the EU style guide (for the institutions), but they are the best I can come up with at this moment. <br /><br />(I use some abbreviations and 'style' according to personal choices.)Ralf Grahn https://www.blogger.com/profile/02156293782163802007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406430766424642773.post-71715453615884130522012-03-13T14:08:37.641+02:002012-03-13T14:08:37.641+02:00I blog on legal translation and I wonder if you ha...I blog on legal translation and I wonder if you have a newer link for this Standard Note, which I would like to see - in March 2012 I get a message that the page cannot be found.<br />Thanks!Margarethttp://transblawg.eunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406430766424642773.post-51325324340523107432012-03-07T04:42:59.071+02:002012-03-07T04:42:59.071+02:00@KGS
Great changes seldom happen in an instant. ...@KGS <br /><br />Great changes seldom happen in an instant. We had Enlightenment philosophers and various forms of skewed representation for a long time before universal suffrage.<br /><br />But I prefer where we should go to mere damnation of where we are.Ralf Grahn https://www.blogger.com/profile/02156293782163802007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406430766424642773.post-16015919309004086192012-03-06T18:51:22.778+02:002012-03-06T18:51:22.778+02:00Ok, I get it, it's what you want, but what you...Ok, I get it, it's what you want, but what you want, and what this enterprise will actually begat, are two different things altogether.<br /><br />I can believe in "world peace" and the "tooth fairy" as well, but the reality of course speaks otherwise.KGShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09743739958015568193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406430766424642773.post-58135101279881562632012-03-06T15:00:08.281+02:002012-03-06T15:00:08.281+02:00@KGS
In all modesty I want a new European union ...@KGS <br /><br />In all modesty I want a new European union based on the citizens, through representative democracy with politically accountable government. <br /><br />It is for the Basic Law of this entity to offer the ground rules for democratic government and to guarantee the fundamental rights of citizens. <br /><br />It is then up to the political parties to compete, and for the citizens to vote on general direction of government.Ralf Grahn https://www.blogger.com/profile/02156293782163802007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406430766424642773.post-43786530330463736702012-03-06T12:02:00.302+02:002012-03-06T12:02:00.302+02:00No, that's not the meaning of statism. A stati...No, that's not the meaning of statism. A statist believes in the all powerful government, not the private individual, and collections of private individuals, to manage affairs within society. The statist wants, desires, demands the population to surrender their individual liberties to the government in echange for promises of welfare, a caretaker society. In such an environment, the individual ceases to exist, being reduced to a mere commodity. No matter the platitudes, they are in fact, anti-liberty, anti-freedom.<br /><br />As I said before, the governing philosophy of the EU constitution is in direct contrast to that of the US constitution (statist driven vs. the other based on Natural Law, individual soveriegnty respect for property rights etc, (read up on John Locke and Charles De Montisque). So how can you rationally expect that the results of the former will be better than the latter, especially in light of the fact that the latter is presently experiencing a post-constitutional democracy because of the statist?<br /><br />You operate from the premise that member EU states are ''functioning democracies'', so ok they're democracies, but do not confuse them with functioning, representational, constitutional republics. These governments (Finland included) are 'big government' orientated entities, and anything that comes from them will naturally flow in that direction....more big government, but this time in a huge federalist enterprise, and it all comes at the expense of the individual, and his her property rights, or in other words, their liberty.<br /><br />European social democracies do not operate upon the principle of the sanctity of the individual, far from it. We are not citizens, but subjects to the state, and to think otherwise is just fooling ourselves. It's tyranny, the same tyranny the Founders and Framers of the US constitution were desperately trying to guard against. And their republic has been effectively thwarted by the statists, mostly Democrats and statist establishment Republicans, to which, Mitt Romney, the Bushes, John McCain belong. These US statists work outside of the US constitution.<br /><br />So how can you honestly, rationally think that Europe, given its penchant for a massive entitlements and the welfare state, will deliver "representational democracy'' to the citizenry in the form of an even larger statist supra-entitey on steroids? You can't have liberty, freedom, protection of property rights and true representational republican form of democracy and the massive leviathan than that Thomas Hobbes wrote about. The two are in direct odds with each other. <br /><br />Mr.Grahnlaw, contrary to you, I look to history and the driving philosophy of the people in question to tell me whether or not something is viable or not, and seeing that the EU project is something that the founders and framers would have loathed, and would have never signed on to, tells me that the project will be a failure, from the perspective of individual liberty, and result in more tyranny. The Founders and Framers feared an all powerful federal government that would run roughshod over the states, and that is exactly what has occurred.<br /><br />The EU enterprise starts from that very premise from the git go, and you have nothing but praise for it.<br />You close with: "It is harder to understand how you can transform the centre-right leaders in Europe to socialists."<br /><br />Any ''conservative'' politician, in Europe, the US or elswhere that conceeds to the socialists' ideas of expansive big government, and massive public entitlement programs and the welfare state (hyvinvointi valtio), and defends them, are in fact socialists themselves, regardless of the labels and hats that they go by. Those are the honest facts of the matter.<br /><br />It's faux conservatism and overt statism.KGShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09743739958015568193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406430766424642773.post-25042244297772713012012-03-06T04:16:15.364+02:002012-03-06T04:16:15.364+02:00@KGS
If you mean that the "statists" a...@KGS <br /><br />If you mean that the "statists" are national leaders wedded to their nation states, with very few signals that they are prepared to speak and act for a fully democratic union, you're right. <br /><br />Only a few isolated and usually timid voices have been heard. <br /><br />It is harder to understand how you can transform the centre-right leaders in Europe to socialists.Ralf Grahn https://www.blogger.com/profile/02156293782163802007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406430766424642773.post-68411565342642851062012-03-06T04:07:03.956+02:002012-03-06T04:07:03.956+02:00@KGS
We are far from a democratic union in Europe...@KGS<br /><br />We are far from a democratic union in Europe, but there are several building blocks on the site.<br /><br />Democracy as an idea is the organising principle of government in the member states of the Council of Europe and the European Union. <br /><br />The states of the EU have to be functioning democracies when they become members, and in principle they can be sanctioned if they deviate. <br /><br />According to the Lisbon Treaty, the functioning of the EU is based on representative democracy and the citizens are directly represented in the European Parliament. <br /><br />We are citizens of the EU, although we still lack full political rights with regard to the union. <br /><br />We have embryonic political parties at European level. <br /><br />There is an emerging European public sphere, including Euroblogs (Bloggingportal.eu). <br /><br />Introducing full democracy at the European level in the 21st century should be a much smaller step mentally and practically than creating a democratic and federal USA in the 18th century.<br /><br />Contrary to you, I do not only criticise the EU as it is, but often enough present my views about how the new union in Europe should look. <br /><br />(That said, I also write about the EU, its politics, policies and legislation, in the same way people living under an autocratic ruler live and act in the real world.)Ralf Grahn https://www.blogger.com/profile/02156293782163802007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406430766424642773.post-53703399300669363552012-03-05T21:28:43.985+02:002012-03-05T21:28:43.985+02:00One more note, seeing that the US is presently a p...One more note, seeing that the US is presently a post-constitutional democracy, after all teh safeguards, what makes you think that this batch of socialisst masterminds will be more successful than those who adhered to the philosophical views of John Locke, Charles De Montisque?<br /><br />You really think thei batch of lack luster statists will ensure your and my liberty? Really?KGShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09743739958015568193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406430766424642773.post-13392329403330575392012-03-05T21:23:32.421+02:002012-03-05T21:23:32.421+02:00You simply can't point to anything in the EU c...You simply can't point to anything in the EU constitution as a starting point for building a real proportional, representational and accountable and limited government.<br /><br />It's statist entitey through and through, and wishing it to be otherwise, will never make it so. <br /><br />Founded on principles that are in complete rejection of liberty, freedom and individual sovereignty, the EU itself, the statist masterminds who run it stand in the way of what you seek.<br /><br />It's interesting to me that you stand behind your criticisms as that alone being enough.KGShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09743739958015568193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406430766424642773.post-32320856629060587922012-03-05T16:35:23.570+02:002012-03-05T16:35:23.570+02:00@KGS
I have expressed my views about the need fo...@KGS <br /><br />I have expressed my views about the need for democratic and accountable government, sufficient powers etc. often enough, so I won't go into lengthy arguments here. <br /><br />In short, sovereignty of the people is the first principle a new European federation should be based on.Ralf Grahn https://www.blogger.com/profile/02156293782163802007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406430766424642773.post-42257584768334161722012-03-05T15:06:43.725+02:002012-03-05T15:06:43.725+02:00Grahnlaw: "If all the pieces fall into place,...Grahnlaw: "If all the pieces fall into place, they include democratic and accountable government in a real federation."<br /><br />You'll have to explain how 'real representational democracy and accountability' can be achieved within an institution designed to be run by technocrat 'geniuses'.<br /><br />The foundational philosophical thinking behind the crafting of EU constitution would be (and is) in direct opposition to thinking of the framers and founders of the US constitution.<br /><br />The EU in its entirety is exactly what the founders and framers (and John Locke) feared when they set about creating a limited form of representational government.<br /><br />The EU, which you speak approvingly of, is Thomas Hobbes' leviathan. It can never become 'democratic and accountable', it's a statist enterprise through and through.<br /><br />The rejection of Natural Law and natural rights should be enough to disprove your thinking.KGShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09743739958015568193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406430766424642773.post-33105948509758250372012-03-04T05:35:16.466+02:002012-03-04T05:35:16.466+02:00@CJWilly
I agree with you with regard to the low...@CJWilly <br /><br />I agree with you with regard to the lower borrowing rates for the USA and Japan. <br /><br />Their currency has a sovereign and lender of last resort. <br /><br />Since we do not have a democratic eurozone or EU, with sufficient powers, our leaders have not done "everything". <br /><br />They have not yet introduce eurobonds as an intermediate step. <br /><br />But I have not seen any concerted and credible effort from politicians on the left to change the fundamentals, so I discussed the options in the context we are in. <br /><br />I have seen politicians on the left doing opposition politics, but I have not really seen credible alternatives from them.Ralf Grahn https://www.blogger.com/profile/02156293782163802007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406430766424642773.post-84710118382177830772012-03-04T01:52:01.205+02:002012-03-04T01:52:01.205+02:00Were you referring to this post in your previous c...Were you referring to this post in your previous comment reply?<br /><br />The entire assumption of EU leaders is that the euro system is untouchable no matter how much it kills jobs and growth.<br /><br />You claim there is simply "no money to spare" yet eurozone debt and deficits (average around 85% and 6% of GDP respectively) are significantly less than those in the U.S. and Japan (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204624204577182424205452462.html).<br /><br />Yet, these countries can still borrow at extremely low rates, because they have central banks worthy of the name. Because we do not, at German behest, our bond spreads need to be reduced (if it is at all possible) by job & growth-killing spending cuts/tax hikes instead of smart monetary policy.<br /><br />Also note, eurozone debt-to-GDP was actually declining with the recovery last year until the ECB let bond spreads in the eurozone reach unsustainable levels last summer: http://euroletters.wordpress.com/2012/02/09/eurostat-eurozone-debt-actually-decreasing/<br /><br />So no, I reject EU leaders' assertion unemployment and poverty today are due to some unchangeable law of nature that uniquely afflicts the European continent. It is the product of the economic laws we established with the eurozone and we had better recognize it.<br /><br />To then hear EU leaders prattle on about doing "everything possible" for jobs & growth while refusing to even mention the biggest self-inflicted obstacle to it... It's enough to make one want to vomit.CJWillyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12308915381352486644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406430766424642773.post-7605865360631453112012-03-03T20:30:32.153+02:002012-03-03T20:30:32.153+02:00@CJWilly
Thank you.
You brought up many interest...@CJWilly<br /><br />Thank you.<br /><br />You brought up many interesting viewpoints. <br /><br />I'll try to keep them in mind when I write new posts, of which the latest one may challenge some of your assumptions.Ralf Grahn https://www.blogger.com/profile/02156293782163802007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406430766424642773.post-75706224696997331612012-03-03T20:27:25.080+02:002012-03-03T20:27:25.080+02:00@theyenguy
If all the pieces fall into place, the...@theyenguy<br /><br />If all the pieces fall into place, they include democratic and accountable government in a real federation.Ralf Grahn https://www.blogger.com/profile/02156293782163802007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406430766424642773.post-8005502844024647502012-03-03T20:25:20.626+02:002012-03-03T20:25:20.626+02:00@Eric B
For the non-euro countries the fiscal pa...@Eric B <br /><br />For the non-euro countries the fiscal pact (TSCG) does not bring any specific obligations. For them the treaty is a question of political alignment.<br /><br />For the euro area, much of the TSCG is a rehash of rules already in existence. <br /><br />The TSCG embodies ideas the German government coalition has driven forward as a "stability union".<br /><br />While I doubt the real world usefulness of the TSCG, I would not go as far as calling it a big bluff. <br /><br />However, Europe needs fundamental reforms beyond the fiscal compact: democracy, accountability, eurobonds, a lender of last resort...Ralf Grahn https://www.blogger.com/profile/02156293782163802007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406430766424642773.post-32885465486397348602012-03-03T19:01:48.619+02:002012-03-03T19:01:48.619+02:00At the appropriate time, the Sovereign Lord God, P...At the appropriate time, the Sovereign Lord God, Psalm 2:4-5, will open the curtains, and on to Europe’s stage will step the most credible leader. He will be the Sovereign, Revelation 13:5-10, and will be accompanied by a monetary pope, the Seignior, Revelation 13:11-18, who will have monetary cardinals, who will provide diktat for the money and credit need of Euroland, as well as provide structural reforms for economic sustainability. Budget commissioners will be appointed to provide technocratic government enforcing fiscal austerity. These Eurocrats will work for the security, stability, and sustainability needs of the European continent . The Economist relates that Mario Monti, the Italian prime minister, says that as well as a “fiscal compact” the EU needs an “economic compact”. Fate will bring these to pass, as it works in ever increasing regionalization. <br /><br />All the pieces for a Federal Europe are falling in place, a monetary union has formed, and once leaders meet in summits and announce framework agreements, that is a fiscal compact and an economic compact, then a One Euro Government will rule supreme in the Eurozonetheyenguyhttp://tinyurl.com/7gl5j7nnoreply@blogger.com