The fall of the EU constitution
Cal Thomas:
The seeds of European discontent over this constitution were sown long before modern times. European nations have a history of individualism and national identity that a single currency and a single document are not about to gloss over.
Wars, occupations and invasions, as well as internal oppression in some nations - notably Germany - have brought distrust and wariness to calls for "unity." Many Europeans properly wonder on what foundation such unity will be constructed. Economics and political pragmatism are not enough. It must involve a spiritual oneness. The closest the French get to anything spiritual these days is in their wine bottles.
The Dutch, like the French, are faced with a problem of their own making. They have admitted 1.7 million immigrants, many of them from countries that share none of their political or religious history. In a nation of 16 million people, the Dutch have among the highest concentration of Muslims in the EU. Their likely rejection of the constitution will come from fear they are already losing their sense of history and national identity.
'No' expected as Dutch vote on EU charter
Political and economic fallout of a Dutch No vote
Dutch sceptics set to send unpopular constitution up in smoke
posted by Adam Lawson @ 1:21 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
Yes, it's clear these 'No' votes are not just about the document, which very few people have read.
Few people in the EU (where I live) want to quit from it. What people don't like is this constitution itself, that wants to install a burocratic system of government. With the possible exception of the European Parlament, European institutions are very unpopular, and most people dislike their decissions.
From country to country you can see different criticism to the decissiones of the European institutions. What is common is the dislike of the institutions.
And the sense of unity exists, especially among young people in cosmopolitan cities.
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