We want a United States of Europe says top EU official - Polidicks

This doesn't seem possible in this century [quote]While Britain may have been written off, concern is mounting because hostility has reached unprecedented levels across continental Europe and anti-EU parties are leading the polls in France, the Netherlands and Greece.[/quote]

I knew this was what the EU was going for, but I also can't imagine it'll actually happen.

To be honest, I'd rather not vote with the entirety of EU on most issues - economic stuff, etc. sure, but many of the values vary a lot. At the same time I feel like Denmark (with its 5 million citizens) would have too little voting power, but I'd rather not have a system like in the US where single states have so much voting power. It's simply that I feel that European countries vary more in values than economic policies - for example on gay marriage where the eastern countries tend to be more conservative.

[QUOTE=JoeSkylynx;43468051]It's not a problem, I am stating that the notion that people willingly and happily bring themselves together under one banner in the name of a United Europe, United Eurasia, or United North America, is laughable. It's economics. You can't survive with your own currency, when every country around you is using a different currency.[/QUOTE] What? No! You do realize that out of the 28 members of the EU, 10 still use their old currency? And I don't see the Czech Republic "not surviving". Nor Poland or Sweden. And especially, let's not forget the UK.

[quote]A campaign for the European Union to become a "United States of Europe" will be the "best weapon against the Eurosceptics", one of Brussels' most senior officials has said. Viviane Reding, vice president of the European Commission and the longest serving Brussels commissioner, has called for "a true political union" to be put on the agenda for EU elections this spring.[/quote] Lol bullshit Here's what she actually said [quote]We need a true political union. To me this means that we need to build a United States of Europe with the Commission as government and two chambers – the European Parliament and a "Senate" of Member States. But there are of course other opinions out there for the future of Europe. You might have other ideas as well. And that is how it should be. We need to have a broad debate before we start to make the big changes required.[/quote] And then many paragraphs later: [quote]This will be our best weapon against the Eurosceptics: to explain to our citizens that their vote really matters. That the big decisions on policies in the European Union are made by the parties of the centre. And that therefore it would be a waste of their vote to use it as a protest vote, by choosing Eurosceptics on the right or on the left.[/quote] [url=http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-14-1_en.htm]Her full speech[/url]

[QUOTE=smurfy;43471945]Lol bullshit Here's what she actually said And then many paragraphs later: [url=http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-14-1_en.htm]Her full speech[/url][/QUOTE]The Torygraph, manipulating a story about the EU? Surely not!

I'd much prefer a confederation as opposed to a federation to be honest. [QUOTE=GoDong-DK;43471804]To be honest, I'd rather not vote with the entirety of EU on most issues - economic stuff, etc. sure, but many of the values vary a lot. At the same time I feel like Denmark (with its 5 million citizens) would have too little voting power, but I'd rather not have a system like in the US where single states have so much voting power. It's simply that I feel that European countries vary more in values than economic policies - for example on gay marriage where the eastern countries tend to be more conservative.[/QUOTE] To be honest, I think that largely depends on where you sit. We sit for instance on the eastern edge of the EU and generally are considered pro-gay just due to the fact that no one here really cares about the issue. Poland, right next to us tends to be pro-traditional values and then France and Italy to the west are considered bastions of traditional values as well. I'd say, that it's mostly a thing of economics and foreign policy, more than internal ones really.

It only works with America because that's how America's always been. There are just too many different cultures in Europe, they'd clash terribly.

[QUOTE=Awesomecaek;43467071] As long as they wouldn't force change of language or of our cultural identity (which government has no reason to do), I would happily embrace German officials over Czech ones. If somebody is good at governing countries and driving economy, it's Germans.[/QUOTE] Eh. I wouldn't. They seem okay on economical points but they start licking every window within a three block radius of the capitol building whenever WW2 gets mentioned. Or violent media. There's a reason many video games that depict Nazi vehicles don't use swastikas where they should be using them, and it's all because Germany's lawmakers get real pissy about the topic and ban anything that bears that logo. And then there's violent games in general...Left 4 Dead springs to mind. It's absurd how asinine they get when it comes to censoring topics like that.

I just want the United States of Earth. :(

[QUOTE=Pepsi-cola;43472128]I just want the United States of Earth. :([/QUOTE] We need an extraterrestrial threat for that one.

I might support this if they promise not to call it the united states (of europe).

I really want this.

Unfortunately humankind is still greedy, easily corrupted and self-centered to ever do anything like this properly. We literally are the 'Race of Men' from Lord of the Rings. Until everyone's not so shit, it really makes no difference what you do to give the illusion of 'unity' or 'peace'. If it isn't there, it simply isn't there and there's little point pretending. Right now we need real philosophy more than ever. Too bad kids are mostly too busy aspiring to be 'One Direction' or 'Justin Bieber' to ever become interested in reality.

Technically our form of government in the US should work perfectly, but it doesn't in practice, much like virtually all other forms of government. The largest problem comes from our very own people: none of them vote. If we had more people voting, they would be better represented. Hey, yeah, that candidate that you hate so much and talk about all the time - you know why he got in office? [i]Because you didn't vote.[/i] [editline]9th January 2014[/editline] Seriously: the largest election turnouts the US sees is during the presidential election and only [i]30%[/i] of possible voters turn up. I would honestly say district stuff is more important and even less people vote for that nonsense.

I'm pretty sure this is just a statement from one very confused individual and not something others are supporting. Edit Oh she was actually misquoted. Move on, nothing to see here.

THE ILLUMINATIS WORK BEGINS

Wouldn't that mean that the more conservative members of the EU will get shafted since Western Europe has a much larger population and is generally more liberal? Doesn't seem it'd be fair for the Eastern/North Eastern countries that aren't very liberal at all.

Yay, less individual freedom for each nation and a stronger central power susceptible to corruption and corporate lobbyism. What's wrong with just having easier trade and travel, why do they have to keep pushing for a federal superpower?

[QUOTE=Megafan;43466612]But the head of the European Council is Belgian, and the head of the European Commission is Spanish. And even of those only the President of the Council is all that similar to a 'President of Europe'.[/QUOTE] the president is portuguese actually. Anyways i have no problem with a federal europe, how would elections work, if any? Maybe it's not the best time in our history to do that, but maybe in the future i have hopes every country in the world will have open borders.

One army and one voice to represent Europe, that's what Europe needs to become a superpower. It's a great idea. The government shall only overlook what the countries are doing, and intervene if they do something bad for their economy or population, that's it. The countries shall keep their autonomy, but will only have to benefit economically and socially from the Federation. I want to see this happen.

The faster we unite globally, the sooner we can start focusing on getting out into space. A united Europe would be a great step in the right direction.

[QUOTE=JoeSkylynx;43467983][URL="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/10434906/Nissan-We-may-quit-Britain-if-it-leaves-EU.html"]Nissan to leave UK if it leaves EU[/URL].[/QUOTE] Nissan's decision to change their business plan and move country has nothing to do with any EU legislation or mandate. It's a business decision based upon their own future predictions. They wouldn't want to make too many risks. If you're gonna have a massive hateboner against the EU, atl east have it against the actual EU and not completely separate things. [editline]9th January 2014[/editline] [QUOTE=Teddybeer;43473376]Shit like this makes me sick.[/QUOTE] How, exactly?

The only real barrier in my mind is the language barrier. Even though most people know English, not everyone does, which would be the main problem for having a president that everyone votes for - everyone would need to understand what they are saying without requiring the use of a translator

[QUOTE=Binladen34;43466448]The larger you grow your government, the harder it is to please all parties. The United States itself somehow manages to barely survive this, not sure it'd work so well with Europe.[/QUOTE] It'll take a bloody civil war between the North and South.

Didn't that like massively backfire already like 5 times throughout history

[QUOTE=proch;43473773]Didn't that like massively backfire already like 5 times throughout history[/QUOTE] Um, no.

United States of Europe sounds bad, just keep it at "European Union". I mean, it kind of sounds like the same thing anyway, just without the word states. And keeping the different cultures would be rad too.

[QUOTE=Xmeagol;43473074]Maybe it's not the best time in our history to do that, but maybe in the future i have hopes every country in the world will have open borders.[/QUOTE] There's quite a large difference between open borders and a centralized government where countries have far less of a say in decisions that directly affect them. [QUOTE=ionuttzu;43473280]One army and one voice to represent Europe, that's what Europe needs to become a superpower. It's a great idea. The government shall only overlook what the countries are doing, [B]and intervene if they do something bad for their economy or population[/B], that's it. The countries shall keep their autonomy, but will only have to benefit economically and socially from the Federation. I want to see this happen.[/QUOTE] And who decides what's bad for their economy or population? What makes the proposed European government more qualified of being the judge of this?

Hopefully denmark will get the fuck out in my lifetime. [editline]9th January 2014[/editline] [QUOTE=ionuttzu;43473280]One army and one voice to represent Europe, that's what Europe needs to become a superpower. It's a great idea.[/QUOTE] I never saw the appeal of unity, I wouldnt want everything to blend together into one big grey slurry. And sure as fuck do not want a denmark that is styled by any other country's fashion, What we have is interesting and unique, sure there are problems but we have the good old nordic advantage of agreeing that whatever happens we shouldnt let our differences come in the way of keeping the boat floating. Also can we stop the whole superpower thing? Its like youre trying to maximize the amount of lives ruined every time your 'peace through power' thing blows up in your face.