[mad=dog]

Ï am a cynic I will agree to that in a second. I may also be turning down something bad for something worse. That is perhaps my largest predicament. However I must insist that when you compare the size of the current EU administration you also take into account it's limited scope in the current form. It really only administrates a limited section of politics.
Decision-making is hard to make out properly. Which decisions are made by elected people? Which by people (at least) appointed by elected national governments? Which by permanent staff? The entire body has grown out of a 50'es model Coal-Steel union. The "Parliament" was founded in 1958. I guess the name was chosen percause it sounds good - anything resembling elections wasn't held until 1979.
I am not against the EU constitution because I think it is too far reaching. Actually I think it is not far reaching enough. However in order to approve the extended power to the EU I must also feel that they are competent to administrate this power. I simply don't.

They should concentrate a LOT of energy into making the administration as slim as possible. After all it is our new liberal model Europe. I am shaking my head at this mastodon in pity. Is outsourcing a foreign word to them? Or do they have to translate that into - what is it now - 20 languages before they can decide. THEN they should concentrate a LOT of energy into making every decision as democratic as possible and make this apparent to the population. Right now people are going "what is this directive?" in bewilderness. They need to go "I helped decide that!" in pride.
Now AFTER that they can go out and ask to expand the power base of the union. Not now. Not yet. At least if I have it my way.

I salute your decision to vote yes. There are many improovements on the bottom line. I am sure if we sat down at a café over a cup of coffee we would agree on a lot of issues. I do not wish to advice Dutchmen on the Dutch referendum. It is a national affair. However I will allow myself to point out that voting yes to "improve the Dutch position at the bargaining table, when they decide which parts to salvage" is equally cynical.

EDIT: Somehow I managed to call it the Iron-Steel union... After I finished laughing I decided to correct it to Coal-Steel [img]smile.gif[/img] .

[ 05-30-2005, 05:37 AM: Message edited by: mad=dog ]