The Euro
- Started
- Last post
- 63 Responses
- lowimpakt0
'Convenience over everything. How does it feel to be a consumer? '
ha ha. are you not a consumer or something. I dont even need to explain how stupid it is for you to say something like that especially on a computer. I think you'll find that im less concerned about the purpose of my currency as a form of national identity
If your to follow that Id have to retort with 'how does it feel to be a hyper-nationalist, protectionist scaremongerer. '
- ********0
It feels liberating to be a hyper-nationalist, protectionist scaremongerer.
We dont need another superpower.
- Nairn0
I'm Scottish, from the North of England. My family lives in Spain, and I live in London. I've just had an Argentinian friend come over from Holland to stay for the weekend, and we spent much of it around Oxford Circus, perusing European shops. My ex-Girlfriend was half African/French and hailed from Switzerland. I love Italian and Spanish food above all else.
See where i'm going with this?
- unknown0
you're so cosmopolitan Nairn - wow I'm impressed.
- Nairn0
Thanks Rasko - I worried that blurb might come across like that.
I might also add - I'm incredibly sad, slightly alcoholic, smoke too much weed, don't socialise nearly enough, and spend too much time on internet forums fighting moot points with people I've never met.
- lowimpakt0
should we continue with the same global model that we have had all along. I mean the structures that have existed have made such a comfortable an equitable world for..... (joke)Bullshit, if anything we should be trying anything to break-up current economic structures and being progressive. Any steps to change will take time but closing yourself of and being able to play a part in it is short-sighted.
Sweden is lucky to half half the unemployment of the EU body but the people who are responsible for that wanted to join the Euro and have threatened to leave if the vote was no.
Reg. Italy. The same thing is going on in Ireland and basically its because of false economies and insular fiscal policies that dont reflect the true nature of the economy in relation to its neighbours and the true global structures
- ********0
Nairn - You want to roll all that culture into one word "European"?
If you want to fuck over everyones identity go ahead and vote yes.
- Nairn0
No - I'm just trying to illustrate that nationalism might seem increasingly anachronistic the more people realise how similar they are.
Take Newstoday for example, I come here day after day not because I have no life and friends (!) but because you're generally like-minded people from ... it doesn't fucking matter where. Somehow, I don't think this trend's going to reverse - I can only see people from 'whereever' coming together even further than they have in the past 50 years alone..
- Nairn0
Maybe I'm entirely arrogant - but I think my personality's formed from more than 'simply where i live'.
- lowimpakt0
Do you really base your national identity on your currency??
I still feel very Irish in fact more than ever. During the debate over the Euro we revived a sense of respect for our nationality and many thought long and hard about what makes us Irish and it wasnt our currency. It has also had the impact of improving communication with our European neighbours.
- unknown0
heheh what did you wake up one day and think to yourself "Well be jaysus I feel really Irish today, more than ever in fact!, this is great - I'm going out to find some craiq"
;)
- ********0
I dont base national identity on currency. But I want power to remain here - with whoever I vote in. This country has already conceded too much to Europe, and this is too important to let go because it's "easy" crossing EU borders with a pocket full of euros...
Where does the trend stop? What if they did ban tea?! With all the other things it doesn't seem too over the top. The foot goes down now. So I say.
- Nairn0
"What if they did ban tea?!"
I'd kill them all, Goddamnit - starting with the French.
- ********0
what can i say
i believe everything you buy in the shops got about 10à 30 percent more expensive yet i'm not hungry
- ********0
"I'd kill them all, Goddamnit - starting with the French."
That's better. Now apply to the pound...
- unknown0
You shouldnt base you're identity on your currency, but some people do.
I dunno what to think really, which is why I posted the question. I mean it feels very european on here, speaking to duth, french etc. I like that cosmpolitan aspect of europeanism.
But devolving fiscal power to a central european bank, which sets tax rates, interset rates etc, seems stupid to me.
Also there isnt parity across europe.
the UK france and germany are much bigger economic powers than everyone else, so lets face it all decisions will be in their best interest. I think the Irish have been shafted by that very fact. How many Dubliners can by a house in Dublin?
anyway blah blah
- Nairn0
You're right! I didn't realise it'd be this easy...
- lowimpakt0
The issue of national identity is a funny one. people would always say 'oh our identity is under attack etc. etc.' but if you actually get them to detail what it is they see as national identity and what it is they want to protect or are proud of they dont know.
If you actually think about it your national identity is a completely random thing as you dont have a choice in where you are born. To be proud of something you usually have to achieve something. What is it that you achieve by being born in a particular countyy by some stroke of chance??
I dont know what the figure in Sweden is but Id like to know how much regional funds they recieved from the EU. Also the people who give the Swedish economy its strength have said they want the Euro and will leave. The processes of legislation within the EU seems overly centralised but the representatives of each country do have a say and policies are often proposed but not carried through.
A big issue for me has always been the global economy and the how the policies of the US and EU has perpetuated poverty in the 'developing' world (WTO, IMF policies etc.). If we can develop manageable currency systems the issues that perpetuate the problems in the developing world can be addressed with greater efficency and ease. Also if the power of economy is shifting id rather be involved so that we can at least take part in the decision making and not be staring in from the outside wondering whats going on.
The EU has many many problems but being part of it makes it easier to change and you can keep trck of the changes within it.
phew!
- ********0
Sweden doesn't want any part of that, at least that's the story I got from the people I spoke with when living in Scandinavia.
- biri0
I live in a small Greek island closer to the Middle East than to Europe.
Many Swedes, Italians, Germans, English also chosen this place as their home.
I do not feel any of my traditions and culture to be threatened by euro. Instead I simply feel at home in the E.U.