Eurozone Groan

[jason_c]

"us" would mean the English I suppose, Fleetwood Mac.
It seems that the English never really understood the "ever closer union" ideal embodied in the European Union, preferring to believe it was only a trading agreement. For this reason, England has been the most supportive of enlargement of the EU and the entry of Turkey and all and sundry so that political union would be impossible. The result is that England is somewhat on the perifery of the political partnership and is also outside the common currency as the eurozone is progressively building a single Europe-wide market in which people, goods, services, and capital move among Member States as freely as within one country.
England was never really ready for full participation and should probably leave and concentrate of their Commonwealth.

We believe it to be a trading Union but support Turkish involvement in order for it not to become a political Union? This is rather contradictory. It suggests we knew all along it was intended to be a political Union.

[Fleetwood Mac]

"us" would mean the English I suppose, Fleetwood Mac.
It seems that the English never really understood the "ever closer union" ideal embodied in the European Union, preferring to believe it was only a trading agreement. For this reason, England has been the most supportive of enlargement of the EU and the entry of Turkey and all and sundry so that political union would be impossible. The result is that England is somewhat on the perifery of the political partnership and is also outside the common currency as the eurozone is progressively building a single Europe-wide market in which people, goods, services, and capital move among Member States as freely as within one country.
England was never really ready for full participation and should probably leave and concentrate of their Commonwealth.

I think there is a case to say we are European geographically, and there are historic ties, but politically I feel we are not European. We don't think like Europeans: the philosophical divide is evident.

I am all for good relations while maintaining control over our economic and political destiny.

Yes, I think it's best for all parties that we leave - we're pretty much a thorn in the side, anyway.

And, I think they should rename the EU and tell it how it is: "The German led European Customs Union With France Second in Command."

[Heinrich]

"us" would mean the English I suppose, Fleetwood Mac.
It seems that the English never really understood the "ever closer union" ideal embodied in the European Union, preferring to believe it was only a trading agreement. For this reason, England has been the most supportive of enlargement of the EU and the entry of Turkey and all and sundry so that political union would be impossible. The result is that England is somewhat on the perifery of the political partnership and is also outside the common currency as the eurozone is progressively building a single Europe-wide market in which people, goods, services, and capital move among Member States as freely as within one country.
England was never really ready for full participation and should probably leave and concentrate of their Commonwealth.

[Fleetwood Mac]

From an economic standpoint, the ability to set your interest rates based on what the economy needs at a given point in time, is crucial.

From a political perspective, I want us out of the European Union. Couldn't care less about trading blocks and the like. The most important thing in life is to succeed or fail off your own back. Nothing against the French or Germans; the reality is that right or wrong we don't think like them.

[mariab]

Youth unemployment in Germany is around 22%. Every third business is closing down due to bankruptcy (visible also in the tons of vacated shops on every street), there's a general freeze for the hiring of Assistant Professors in almost every field since 2 years, last year Opel almost went down and required a bailout from the German federal government, Germans practically can't afford going on vacation overseas anymore.

I'll be experiencing the situation in Greece first hand, as I'm flying there next week to take care of some bureaucracy and so that my mom and I can take care of securing our assets. The way the Greek government is (not) handling the crisis must be one of the most ridiculous, moronic situations occuring in Europe in the 21st century. Seems they're about to drop the current Prime Minister and concoct an emergency administration, but I'm not following the details, it's too moronic and embarrassing.

Clearly the Eurozone requires to be re-defined, possibly in a federalist(-ish) kind of structure, and some fashion of governmental control against the outrageous activity of the big banks must be introduced. The former reform is unavoidable, and it's bound to happen in the next decade. The latter is a huge problem, who knows if the politicians will ever have the vision and the guts to confront any of this.
I don't recall if it was André Malraux or Charles De Gaulle who said “Le XXème siècle sera pacifiste ou ne sera pas“ {“The 20th century will have to be pacifistic or will never survive“}, but to paraphrase him, “The 21th century must deal with the globalized economy or we'll never survive“.

[Limehouse]

Does anyone have any views on this subject?

Well firstly, I think it's very fortunate that the Uk did not join the single currency.

Secondly, I feel deeply sorry for the people in those countries most affected by the crisis - especially the young people as I believe youth unemployment is around 40% in some countries, for example - Italy.

Finally, I personally believe that it is capitalism in general that has created this crisis, rather than the single currency itself. It is a knock-on effect.

I don't know how it's all going to end but I fear it's going to get quite a lot more painful before a solution is found.

[Robert]

Does anyone have any views on this subject?