quote:

ORIGINAL: popeye1250

L.E., 6,000 diplomats in the E.U.?
There's only what,...194 or so countries in the whole world!
Just what is it that those "diplomats" do?

quote:

ORIGINAL: DCWoody

I reckon there are far better targets for waste jobs in the EU than these which would mostly exist even without the EU....

quote:

ORIGINAL: LadyEllen

Mijnheer Van Rompuy is the new EU President! Let the bells peal out across the land(s) in glory at this wondrous celebration of democracy! Except that he's the President of the Council Of Ministers - a chairman in other words, to the meetings of the ministers from each state that take place. Not a President in any meaningful sense (though watch this space of course).

Mr Blair was rejected, (apparently), though its unclear whether he was ever actually seriously considered.

The real power today, handed out undemocratically to a woman made an EU Commissioner equally undemocratically, was the appointment of Catherine Ashton, who now heads up the "foreign office" of the EU, in charge of 6000 diplomats worldwide.

Let the US, Russia, China and the so called emerging economies tremble with fear at the mention of Baroness Ashton!

More later; I'm off to apply for a cushy well paid job (with expenses) as an EU diplomat.

E

quote:

ORIGINAL: DCWoody

There are 27 nations in the EU, 195 widely recognised nations and a few more that aren't exactly UN members, but definitely exist....and numerous international organisations....the UN and NATO big boys, but there are a fair few.

Say 200 other nations & bodies for the EU to represent to, 27*200=5400.
So in fairness there are more legitimate jobs there than you'd at first think. Especially considering how suspiciously round the 6000 quoted in the news is, I reckon there are far better targets for waste jobs in the EU than these which would mostly exist even without the EU....

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ORIGINAL: LadyEllen

I believe in the EU. But I entirely reject the way it looks now, and has looked for many years, and the way it acts now, and has acted for many years. The problem is, to make it work properly, even adequately, would necessitate it becoming a superstate like the US and that simply wouldnt work given the defined cultural divisions that exist across the continent and which make it impossible at best for nations to surrender sovereignty as would be required. But then a superstate is what we are heading towards anyway, and because of that problem, without any democratic input, oversight or control whatever.

E

quote:

ORIGINAL: Politesub53
Once again, blame those of you who voted for Labours very clear policy. If left as originally intended, as a common market place for free trade, it still wouldnt have worked. The richer nations would always hold the bargaining chips. The whole thing is a costly lame duck and should be dispensed with. Blair was warned time and again by his own advisors on signing up to parts of this. You know the rest.

quote:

ORIGINAL: LadyEllen

PS - I really dont understand your point? The UK has little or no influence in the EU whereby to exert control on its mechanisms, oversight or future, so what the Chuckle Brothers thought, think, intended or intend is pretty much irrelevant to the situation

E

quote:

ORIGINAL: Moonhead

Which is why the fact that the wanker had the brass neck to stand for the Presidency is so hilarious.
It's nearly as funny as people who don't mind having our foreign policy dictated by whichever cretin the Americans elected last whining about loss of sovereignity to Brussels. It isn't the EU's fault that nobody in this country gives a flying fuck who their MEP is, or even what they're supposed to be doing, is it?

quote:

ORIGINAL: LadyEllen

I see. So we ought to choose whom to vote for more carefully then is what youre saying, taking account of both their policies in relation to improving the state of the nation and its citizens as well as those in relation to the EU?

Sadly, I would expect a street poll to show that most people wouldnt know what a manifesto is, let alone how to get one or how to comprehend one. So, we are back to the Murdoch dominated media to tell us whom to vote for.

Or we could vote UKIP or even BNP as the only means by which to send a clear message on the subject and perhaps propagate a withdrawal of the UK if the foreigners dont play fair? Foreigners I use as a polite version for what the Murdoch press refers to them as - eg "Krauts", "Frogs" et al, in its crusade to enhance the view of Europe for the masses.

Again, we cant expect to make friends and influence people in this way. Equally we cant expect to be able to withdraw from the EU without it causing disastrous economic consequences, and if we dont engage then we will be swept along on the Franco-German current without any say in the matter.

What do you suggest?

E

quote:

ORIGINAL: Politesub53

quote:

ORIGINAL: LadyEllen

I see. So we ought to choose whom to vote for more carefully then is what youre saying, taking account of both their policies in relation to improving the state of the nation and its citizens as well as those in relation to the EU?

Sadly, I would expect a street poll to show that most people wouldnt know what a manifesto is, let alone how to get one or how to comprehend one. So, we are back to the Murdoch dominated media to tell us whom to vote for.

Or we could vote UKIP or even BNP as the only means by which to send a clear message on the subject and perhaps propagate a withdrawal of the UK if the foreigners dont play fair? Foreigners I use as a polite version for what the Murdoch press refers to them as - eg "Krauts", "Frogs" et al, in its crusade to enhance the view of Europe for the masses.

Again, we cant expect to make friends and influence people in this way. Equally we cant expect to be able to withdraw from the EU without it causing disastrous economic consequences, and if we dont engage then we will be swept along on the Franco-German current without any say in the matter.

What do you suggest?

E

What I suggest is you read the manifestos next time. Dont vote for Labour if you dont like the policies they offer. So far you have blamed Murdoch, the Tories and the electorate. There was no secret about Labours intentions prior to the last election. The only ( and simplest ) answer was next time, dont vote for them. As for the EU, if you dont think Germany and France already have the upper hand, i dont know what to tell you.