Just Say 'No'
This past weekend, France voted "No" to accepting the proposed EU constitution. I stand here applauding such a powerful statement to the powers that be. This constitution is a long-winded document stating the powers the EU governing body can control and operate over each country in the union. Having this constitution creates many cultural, societal, and communal effects to each individual country and all of Europe if this were to pass. The only argument that has any legs to stand on, albeit, legs that I do not feel are strong, is the economical effects. Yes, business can be mandated to be easier with legislation. Yes, money will cross borders easier. However, these economic benefits create many issues with the aforementioned areas of impact.
First, because of the common currency, Europe essentially has a GNP and a common currency that is traded and valued against other country's currency outside the union. This valuation increases the value of all of the country's currency in the union. This means that Spain's note is valued the same against the Dollar as Germany's note because it is the same, which is the Euro. This is where the problems begin. Germany has a larger GDP and a more thriving economy than that of Spain. This means that on an overall perspective, Germans are better off economically than Spaniards since before and since the formation of the EU. Essentially, German's have more money to burn than that of Spain. They are simply wealthier. This is due to strength of the economy and conversion of DMs to Euros (this is another conversation). Hence, when German's go to visit Spain, they are able to spend and buy more than that of a Spaniard because they have more Euros.
Second, this proliferation of cash spent by non-Spaniards leads to inflation and eventually leads to issues not only to the economics of Spain, but also issues to community, society, and cultural of Spain. As the prices of goods and services increases in Spain, the wages of the people of Spain stay the same. Hence, the quality of life decreases for Spaniards. As the local quality of life for the majority of the population decreases, the minority who actually own businesses will increase. This creates more of economical divide, which affects the cultural community Spain has created throughout its history. There is now a larger gap between the rich and poor. Think of all the issues that the US currently has with a diminishing middle class. These are the same issues that Spain will have to learn to live with more as the only become more magnified.
Third, Spain begins to lose there cultural identity. In the land of the siesta, there will be more influx of Germans, French, and others. They will begin buying more properties and imposing their identity in that of Spain's. Eventually, a simple thing like a siesta will go away because non-Spaniards will begin to impose their will and demand companies remain open so they can spend their Euro. The young mighty euro will begin to rule more and more.
Having a Europe that is governed by one unit of power is a terrible idea. Not only does each country lose its identity, but they now are governed by one body that has an agenda and a minority of members that do not have the same cultural values. Additionally, there will be politicians who will have special interests for themselves and will not make decisions for the well being of all of Spain. They will have to make decisions for the well-being of all Europe. My dear readers, this is nothing more than a modern day Hitler Agenda to have one governing power to control Europe. This is exactly what Hitler wanted. The only difference between today and then is that the forum for change is political and argued economically. Instead of a war with guns, we have a war of money. Should there ever be a united, you will be able to wave goodbye to the beautiful cultures and countries that currently exist. You can also say goodbye to simple freedoms that are enjoyed by democracy valued governments in each country. There will be a new dictator in town and the next step would be to have a one power governing the entire world.
This blogg intentionally left out key facts that the opinion was based. This is to purely express my distaste for this centralization of power in Europe. This is not to present a articulate argument to the Harvard Review. Agree or disagree, but keep your critiques to yourself.