The United States of Europe!?!?!?!

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: Booster
The main trouble with 'states' is that these aren't states in a general sense, but rather totally independent countries with their own languages, culture etc. And borders. I think it's only a matter of time before the EU ceases to exist. Heck, I still can't believe they now have one and the same money everywhere! How did they give up their currencies that had existed for thousands of years? Hard to believe and it's even harder to believe this 'EU' will exist for a long time.

None of Europes currencies have existed for thousands of years.

 

[CPA]

Originally posted by: AU Tiger
Doesn't Texas have the right to leave the United States in their constititution? I don't know much about Texas, but I thought they were the one state with that ability.

Edit: After further research, I believe Texas lost their right to secede when they joined the Confederacy and were conquered in the War of Northern Aggression. Of course there is no law preventing a state from seceding. I believe a state could secede if the rest of the country was willing to let it go.

I believe Texas has a contract with the Federal Government. Part of the contract states that the Federal Government must provide "security" to the State of Texas, if they breach that then Texas can secede.

 

[CPA]

Originally posted by: ROTC1983
I believe that Europe is finally accomplishing what it has attempted so long ago. Finally uniting under one government is a good choice for mutual protection and economical advancement. I believe that the British are mad because the Euro is worth less than the pound is, lowering the worth of all the assets in Britain if there is an uniform exchange rate throughout Europe...

economical advancement? Hasn't the EU already contradicted that by banning companies in one EU country from manufacturing, distributing or marketing a product that is done the same by a company in another EU country (ie wine)?

 

[Electric Amish]

I think it should be USA-East.

amish

 

[dpm]

economical advancement? Hasn't the EU already contradicted that by banning companies in one EU country from manufacturing, distributing or marketing a product that is done the same by a company in another EU country (ie wine)?

Woah? If you are thinking of Protected Designation of Origin regulations, then I think you've confused the terms somewhat - EU legislation says, for example, that a company cannot call a product it sells a "Newcastle Brown Ale" if it doesn't come from Newcastle, or call a cheese "Feta" if it doesn't come from Greece, or call a wine "Champagne" unless it comes from the champagne region of france. It doesn't matter what country you try to sell in, or what country the company is from, and it doesn't apply to all famous names... if they are used in too widespread a manner already, then it doesn't apply (ie Cheddar cheese doesn't have to come from the small town of Cheddar in somerset...)

or of course, you could be thinking of something else i haven't heard of...

 

[Czar]

That last name, in the words of one senior British official, "has not a cat in hell's chance of success".

kinda like this quote about that name, kinda agree with it also

 

[Maharaja]

Allowing a member state to leave a country seems like the EU is only asking for trouble later on, but I think that clause is necessary to get any agreement on this constitution. It's d'Estang answer back to all those Europeans who said he was just trying to create a federal union. Although if 30 years from now a state decides to leave, somehow I doubt there will be a civil war. I could be wrong but I just don't see it. Unlike the US, the EU set up a clearly legal system for a state to leave. What could the central EU gov't possibly say to justify a military action?

I don't see a federal state being a bad deal for the Europeans. The only argument against it I see is national pride. You don't wanna give up France or Italy because it's been around for so long, etc. But as the EU, Europeans might actually matter in the world. It would give them a lot more clout in international affairs. I mean Portugal or even Germany alone can't exercise a lot of pull. But a unified Europe would have a huge population, an economy to rival the US's and, if it chose, the possibility of being a military power again. I guess it would be like having a liberal United States on the world scene.

 

[CPA]

Originally posted by: dpm

economical advancement? Hasn't the EU already contradicted that by banning companies in one EU country from manufacturing, distributing or marketing a product that is done the same by a company in another EU country (ie wine)?

Woah? If you are thinking of Protected Designation of Origin regulations, then I think you've confused the terms somewhat - EU legislation says, for example, that a company cannot call a product it sells a "Newcastle Brown Ale" if it doesn't come from Newcastle, or call a cheese "Feta" if it doesn't come from Greece, or call a wine "Champagne" unless it comes from the champagne region of france. It doesn't matter what country you try to sell in, or what country the company is from, and it doesn't apply to all famous names... if they are used in too widespread a manner already, then it doesn't apply (ie Cheddar cheese doesn't have to come from the small town of Cheddar in somerset...)

or of course, you could be thinking of something else i haven't heard of...

ahhh, thank you for the clarification.

So does that mean the word (Feta, champagne) is generally trademarked or is it just a subjective call? Where is the line drawn? Not being an ass, just wondering what the rules are.

 

[MomAndSkoorbaby]

That's just werid, I am reading about that in my Robert Ludlum book!

 

[dpm]

Ah, i have to say i don't know much about the law or trademarks.. I guess its not like a trademark because trademarks can only be for one company; any company can make feta cheese, as long as it comes from Greece and meets the standards. I wonder who makes the standards, though? Do they leave them to the Greek Feta Association (or whatever). Knowing the EU it'll probably be a reactive policy - as in someone has to complain about someone else, and then some Eurocrat makes the call.

Anyway, anything that keeps Newcastle Brown pure is ok with me...

 

[AntaresVI]

How would the name work? Because in antebellum America, when speaking about the United States as a whole, it was correct to say "The United States are a country." instead of "The United States is a country."
Just an interesting little aside...

 

[XZeroII]

How would this create economic advancement? The Euro was a horrible idea from an economic standpoint because if one country goes into a recession, that guarentee's that the others will follow. If one country is struggling economically, it will bring down all the other european countries because the currency rate cannot be used to battle recession as easily. You have less control over the supply of money, thus you have less economic control.

The EU if it could actually become a country made up of states would actually be a socialist gov't for those of you who would have though otherwise. So the People's Republic of Europe would not be used (unless the leaders are incredibly stupid).