EU - GOOD IDEA GONE BAD
The EU started out as the European Economic Community or EEC, with the aim of using bilateral trade among it's members to create a peaceful environment that would stop war in Europe.
The founding countries were France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.
Britain joined the EEC along with Ireland and Denmark in 1973.
In 1975 the UK had a referendum to gauge support for the country staying in the EEC. The result was not binding as in the 2016 referendum - 67% were in favour of the then EEC.
I was in my late teens in 1975. I voted in favour of remaining. The idea of a 'trading bloc' that brought about prosperity, and peace, could only be a good idea. Or so I thought.
Like a lot of people at that time, I voted not knowing the true nature of the beast. Unlike today we did not have the internet, social media, you-tube etc to uncover the truth behind the lies we were being fed by mainstream media, and the politicians at that time.
Thank god things have changed. If I had known the truth, I would never have voted in favour of staying.
So why, did I, vote to stay?
My father. My uncles, all experienced the horror of war first hand. My mother lived in London throughout the blitz.
The husband of a friend of the family was one of
"At first we wondered where they were (the prisoners) then we heard this rustling sound. Like dry leaves. Then people came out of the huts and began to slowly walk toward us. The sound we heard was their bones as they walked. They looked like walking skeletons."
'The European Union is set up with the aim of ending the frequent and bloody wars between neighbours, which culminated in the Second World War. As of 1950, the European Coal and Steel Community begins to unite European countries economically and politically in order to secure lasting peace.'
This extract from Europa EU the official website of the European Union was the idea we were sold in 1975. So what's gone wrong?
Well in the opinion of the upper echelons of the EU - nothing. Everything is going according to plan.
What was the plan? Expansion, and the federalisation of Europe.
Greece, Spain and Portugal joined the union in 1981.
When the Berlin wall fell in 1990 the former communist dictatorship of East Germany reunited with West Germany, and joined the EU.
In 2004 the former communist countries of Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, and Slovenia became members of the EU.
Bulgaria and Romania joined the EU in 2007.
What do all these countries have in common? Apart from being poor when they joined - each and every one of them - had been ruled by the iron fist of dictatorship. They welcomed with open arms the ideology of democracy that the EU seemingly offered.
With the increasingly dictatorial nature of the EU, is it any wonder that many of the member states are now facing a political challenge from nationalistic parties? And not only from countries with previous dictatorships, but from founding countries such as France and the Netherlands.
Whilst on the surface the EU is democratic. Is it really?
Not surprisingly many of the countries that had previously been controlled by dictatorships, don't take kindly to exchanging one dictatorship for another. Likewise countries that have traditionally enjoyed democratic freedoms, are increasingly resisting the autocratic style of the EU.
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| Paris 2019 |
The EU's blindfolded race into a European super state, and the leaders lack of understanding that their mass immigration policy from outside the EU, is fermenting anger and fear among populations who are not ready for such a social experiment, has created a political vacuum that the far-right is filling.
Then of course, there is the burning issue of the EU's finances.
The EU is not just broken. It is broke. The EU has a €24.7 BILLION black hole in it's finances. Due to payments promised to the poorer nations of the bloc. No wonder the books have never been audited.
The EU is, in other words - strapped for cash. Once the UK leaves the EU - what then? Angela Merkel has already said, nein to Germany filling the financial gap.
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Sourced from factsmaps |
The Future of EU finances
INTRODUCTION - In three years' time, a new Financial Framework will shape the budget of the Union. A debate on the future financing is impossible without taking into account the balance sheet of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2014-2020. The fragile state of the EU's finances today reflects its current political shortfalls. The Union's finances are characterised by several structural failings and weaknesses, such as the €25bn of unpaid bills in 2 014 or the multiplication of external funds, as well as underfunding due to the lack of resources.
The S & D go on to say that they have been trying for years to address this situation will little success. Here's the full article (worth reading) - Social & Democrats
Not only have the leaders of the EU failed to listen to the concerns voiced about immigration, they have come up with the idiocy of a single currency, and a uniform interest rate. I have listened to Yanis Varoufakis's address to the Oxford Union - 'The Euro has never been so problematic' - several times. Each time it makes more and more sense to me. And so worth taking the time to hear what he has to say.
Basically he makes the assertion that the Euro is not beneficial to Europeans, and has amplified the financial tsunami hitting Europe. This has led to the current political disintegration. He predicts Germany, rather than bail out Italian banks, will leave the Euro, and revert to the Deutsche Mark. He says this at the beginning of his address, and goes on to say that Italians are already moving their Euros into German banks in preparation of this. If it does happen the Italians who could afford to transfer their wealth to German banks, will reap huge financial gains. I don't think for a moment that the Italians are the only ones quietly transferring money over to Germany. The ordinary folk of the EU, who don't have the spare cash to send to Germany, will see their currency stagger downward, and their standard of living follow suit.
The profligacy of two parliaments, private jet planes for the top echelons, over inflated salaries, and reckless spending on unnecessary projects. The increasing authoritarianism. The determination to expand membership into countries that have very little to offer the bloc, other than one more yellow star on the flag. The refusal to come to grips with the financial instability of the bloc. Economic stagnation. Unaccountability - I.E - unelected heads such as Tusk and Junker. The inability to manage the vast numbers of immigrants coming from the 3rd world. Not being able to combat the rise of Islamic extremism and the far-right.
Add to the above list - Protectionism.
By embracing an inward looking program of protectionism, and the single market's barrier of tariffs to the rest of the world, shows the EU has lost sight of it's original idea of free trade, this has led inevitably to the stagnation in growth it is now facing.
I found a very interesting article on the ODI website - an organisation promoting global progress and prosperity by focusing on improving the lives of the world's poorest people.
'The European Union is increasingly choosing a more protectionist stance over trade policy which will hamper the global economy and the economies of a range of developing countries, warns a new Overseas Development Institute report published today. Containing essays from 20 of the world’s leading experts it reveals a lack of vision and coherence in its approach to developing countries.
The first reform of the EU’s Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) in 30 years will see richer developing countries, such as India and Vietnam, lose trade concessionsof up to €257 million. The EU claims that this will be to the benefit of the poorest developing countries, but our research reveals that, in fact, richer nations such as Switzerland and the USA will reap the rewards, while EU consumers lose out, and the poorest countries hardly gain anything. At the same time, developing countries as– including Kenya, Ghana, Botswana, Namibia and Swaziland - could lose €50 million each year, if these countries do not sign up to the EU’s Economic Partnership Agreements.'
ODI’s Dirk Willem te Velde, Head of the International Economic Development Group said:
Full article - ODI“Designing a trade strategy in times of economic and financial crisis always carries a risk, and there will inevitably be winners and losers. The clear protectionist trend in the EU’s new strategy will not only damage the developing world, but also European economies and consumers”
Healthy economies - means healthy growth. The EU far from growing it's economies is stagnating to an alarming degree.
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| gif by Tenor.com |
But don't just take my word for it - here's what some of the world's leading economists have to say about the viability of the EU.
John Week's article goes back to 2016 - it makes for sober reading - here's just a small sample of what he has to say - full article - socialeurope.eu
'Output stagnation, accompanied by its witch’s familiar persistent debt overhang, makes it clear that the dysfunctional EU fiscal rules cannot be “muddled through”. They require radical revision, nothing less than the abandonment and/or repeal of decrees and treaties than require governments to pursue pro-cyclical fiscal policy.'
Doug Ramsey - Chief investment officer of The Leuthold Group - sees the EU going into recession this year -
Italy is already in recession - with Germany and France on the brink.
Once the UK's, substantial payments into the bloc cease, the EU, in it's current form because of high European debt levels, will be impossible by the other member states to maintain.
I for one, think this is a good idea rather than a bad one.
If you are easily offended, and take life way too seriously, then Naughty Novellas are definitely not for you, so please don't buy them. If, you are not one of those people, and love to laugh, then the naughty, but nice humour, between the pages of my Naughty Novellas will tickle your inner naughtiness. So - buy the books and let the fun begin!!
Naughty Novellas, best read with an uncorked bottle of wine and an open box of chocs. Of coarse, if you're not into such decadence – then why are you reading my books? Only – joking – alternative suggestion. Comfy sofa, cup of cocoa – on second thoughts, scrap the cocoa you are way too serious and not yet ready for a Naughty Novella.
Try the paranormal section on the other page. Some real creepy stuff there – could keep you awake at night. Maybe the cup of cocoa idea was a good one after all.
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