The French Vote: A good day for Europe

Believe it or not – the French NON to the European Constitution is goof for Europe. The campaign battles across Europe, including Britain, are hardly ones of anti-Europe nationalists versus pro European liberalists. No that is to easy an excuse for those who connect their political fate to the constitution.

It is easily forgotten these days, that the constitution is not Europe. Thus, those who claim ‘NO’ is the right vote are Pro Europe as well. Europe is part of our everyday life, it facilitates our economical transactions and has a deep influence on our mindsets and perception of reality. Nobody in Europe who is right in his mind wishes to bring the Achievements of the European Union down.

The struggles many feel – are about what the Union has not achieved – and about what the Union is obviously not capable to do. The Union, originally founded as an economical and diplomatic organisation to defend market liberalisation and ease bilateral talks has become a bureaucratic monster which is controls vast amounts of public moneys and at the same time becoming more and more uncontrollable. It is more than an economic club with common interests – it creates laws and decides about legislation which directly influence the way people live their lives. It has a social impact – without being controlled or even authorised by the people of Europe.

As long as it was an organisation which was controlled by the states – it was ok – because those were authorised by the transfer of sovereignty. However, it has changed. In a slow and often disguised process the Eurocracy has taken control over the national governments. No authorisation. No transfer of sovereignty.

Well, that’s the case for the constitution one might think. And one is right – a super national state like the EU is striving to be – and in some areas already is – needs a constitution. But there are issues:

The first one is a fundamental one. Do we want the EU to be a super national state? Do we want them to handle more than economical and maybe security issues? I would say no – and in this case a constitution is not required.

However, the transfer of competencies has already begun – it is highly unlikely that those will be handed back to the national governments. In this case a proper transfer of sovereignty is crucial – it must be ensured what the EU is allowed to do and what not. However, such an important manifesto needs time and commitment – not a few political pensioners who are bored to death and try to ensure their place in history by putting together this piece of crap that’s called a constitution.

No transfer of sovereignty is included – only the question yes or no – and that’s not enough. Participation is eminent and cultural and political diversity must be thoroughly considered. A European market cannot and shouldn’t be modelled solely after a Germanic-Franco model of social security and state influence.
Furthermore, there is a lot of redundancy between what the states do and what the union does – in some cases even a third level of regional governments joins the game.

My point is, that we need to think very carefully about what we want the Union to be – after all it’s a very young experiment and we should assess if we are happy with the outcomes so far. Only then, we can think about how to manifest those values and goals – and a constitution is just one solution.

Thus, the French NON is a good day for Europe – it gives us more time – time we need.

Liverpool, the French, and the Constitution

What a week! The weather is awesome, Arsenal beat ManU and those Lads from Liverpool showed the Italians how to play it right.

Even if you don't like them, you have to admit that they did well in good ol'blimey's sake - as well, and that's even more surprising, as the French probably will do by showing Europe how to play it right.

And I want to make it very clear - I'm not against a European agreement in order to facilitate internal market liberalism, free travel and in somehow even a common line of international politics. But giving up our rights as the sovereign - NON, NON, NON!




The Economist - Friday 28th of May 2005

Germany: Social Democrats wasted - Early National Elections announced

The German magazine 'Der Spiegel' reports that the social democrat led government has announced early national elections after they have been dumped in their most important stronghold North Rhine Westphalia.

The elections are about to take place in autumn 2005 - one year earlier than planned.

Germany's regional elections - rationality versus ideology

All eyes on Germany. The regional elections at the western state of North Rhine Westphalia will be as important for Germany's politic and economic fate as they are for Europe.

The campaign was tainted with nasty anti-capitalistic and anti-liberal language from Schroeder's middle left party who is in charge in North Rhine Westphalia and Berlin. If the SPD looses today's elections it is unsure if Schroeder can continue with his attempts to implement further desperately needed economic reforms. It is highly likely that the Berlin government has to adjust his politics to fit the ideologies of its left wing members who demand stronger state control on foreign investment - something Germanys wounded economy really doesn't need know.

This development is worrying, and can be seen as a result of the major parties failure to convince the public of the need for reforms. However, given that North Rhine Westphalia can choose between electing the left striving social democrats of weekend chancellor Gerhard Schroeder or the conservatives who are likely to win next year's national elections there isn't really a choice.

Unlike in Britain, where the Labour Government managed to sort out its leftist and union based heritage - Germany's social democrats have failed to do so. In times of economic struggles, rational planning and decision making is crucial - not sticking to wearn off ideologies. It's time for a change and the earlier it comes the better it is for an economy which is so important for Europe's overall performance.

The FA Cup: YES!

What a week - first the takeover of Martin Glazer - which will be good for ManU by the way, but brings da beef up in them :-) - and now the FA Cup win for the Gunners:

http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/

Yes! That bloody Kraut saved our arse! You can't beat them in penalties.

Khodorkovsky Trial

A political execution - slow and in public. Conducted as a warning for the west:

http://www.supportmbk.com/

http://www.mbktrial.com/

Kylie and the World Shocking News

Having lunch at my employer's cafeteria provided me with the doubtful opportunity to enjoy ITV's Lunchtime News programme.

Todays catchy opener was presented at the 'world shocking' news of Kylie Minogue having breast cancer. Of course this is more important than the State Opening of the Parliament and therefore I ignored the BBC broadcast on the other side of the room and paid Kylie my full attention.

How bad this might be for herself and her family - I'm sure that she will get the best treatment that money can buy and that the Australian is way better off than the majority of British women who are reliant on the menace that calls istelf the NHS.

This organisation incorporates everything that didn't work in Thatcherism and refuses young women and men proper cancer prevention treatments.

Back to the news - ITV's journalists - those modern day heroes of the enlightened society - wisely connected Kylie's world shocking revelation with a special on breast cancer. After having informed the public how good the available treatments are and how dangerous the illness is they stated that at least one in 200 women will suffer from breast cancer before they are 40.

Instead of concluding their report with providing information on detection and preventive screening - they repeated the well known NHS spin on how ineffective and useless prevention measures are for young women because of the density of the breast.

I'm not a medicine but a short research walk using Google and websites like the National Cancer Institute (US) showed how dangerous this assertion is. Of course - the risk for younger women is lower and it might be harder to detect cancer - but this is to easy an excuse for neglecting a 100-150$ (Cancer Institute) breast screen. It only shows how incompetent the NHS really is - despite the tremendous efforts of the British Cancer research in the last years.

However, one lesson that Britain yet has to learn is that proper prevention is better than the best treatment - and for the economists: it's even cheaper!

George W. Bush: He must have done something right

After last year's presidential election the world - and the liberal America was shocked. Four more years. Why the hell did they elect him again - after all he has done?

Well, he must have done something right:

http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/05/10/news/georgia.php

Simple Economics

'When the economy is booming, we pound a six-pack of Bud with our buddies and watch the game. When the economy is lousy, we pound a six-pack of Coors with our buddies and watch the game. When the economy is flat, we pound a six-pack of Miller with our buddies and watch the game.'

Daniel Gross, Slate.com on economics and the beer industry

Update: Gordon’s finest hour

Well, looking at yesterday’s general election results won’t surprise the majority of us. Basically everything went as expected. The Liberal Democrats didn’t manage to realize their opportunities, the Conservatives gained a couple of seats despite letting Michael Howard lead the campaign, and Blair’s Labour party lost a few vote over the Iraq issue and won the election for a historical third time in a row.

So, who’s the winner? Blair who can return to Downing Street? One could think so, but the answer should be Gordon Brown. The leftist Scott who is probably the most popular politician in Britain will regard the outcome of the election as a private victory – just enough seats to remain in power but enough losses to blame Tony for the defeat and take over the country after 2, maybe even 1 one year.

Despite being considered an ideal candidate by most Britains I think this is a real danger for Britain’s economy. Brown is less liberal and progressive than Blair and certainly will increase state influence on the expense of economic growth and flexible markets.

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Update:

Wordsmith of the Adam Smith Blog thinks:

May his days be few; may another take his place of leadership.
- Psalm 109, verse 8

I disagree!

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Although everybody expects Brown to take over after a while – his agenda was not communicated in the general election at all. One could say Britain voted for a prime minister who didn’t even run for the job and whose plans are unknown. What a fuck!

Tony wins with 150 seats..., Tony wins with 80 seats..., Tony wins with only 40 seats...

The Independent had a really creative idea and prepared covers for different general relation results with the corresponding facial expressions of Tony Blair and Michaael Howard. If you have a few pence left buy a copy and use the rest for fish’n chips.

Vote Labour - have some pints

It's summertime in London - and despite doing some work related stuff in the city I managed to enjoy yesterday's splendid evening with a few colleagues and pints in the Bank of England at Fleet Street.

After exchanging our opinions on Chelsea's premier league win - the upcoming election was discussed with way to much booze in our brains.

Like the majority of Britain's population I don't think that Mr Blair is the best possible Prime Minister I could think of. On the other hand, I honestly think that - all contenders and their manifestos taken into consideration - Mr Blair and his Labour party is the only choice for England's future.

Labour has done well in economic terms. Even if there are remarkable weak spots like the NHS. However, the conservatives would pursue the same path - with less capable and experienced personal of course - not speaking of the costs a change in No.10 always bears.

So why change a winning team? The proposals Labour made for the NHS are steps in the right direction - and let's face it - transforming this bureaucratic monster is not a task one can handle in a couple of weeks - it will take its time and money.

Having this in mind there are only two things to do right next Thursday - giving Tony some Edgar time at No. 10 and enjoying the London spring with a few pints of cold lager.