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Angela Merkel was once dubbed 'Frau Nein' for her refusal to be dragged into European policies that would over-extend Germany. Her strong leadership was compared by some to that of Margaret Thatcher, a new 'Iron Lady' for our fiscally turbulent times.
How things have changed. Merkel has become 'Frau Ja', at least when it comes to her plans for the EU to snatch what little self-determination its member states now retain.
At a joint press conference with David Cameron on 7 June, Merkel went far beyond her recent statements regarding Germany's willingness to cede sovereignty to a new, all-powerful iteration of the European Union. That's no longer enough. Now, according to Merkel, all EU member states must give up representative government, national interest and all semblance of liberty and freedom to the Brussels bureaucrats. In her own words:
"We need more Europe, a budget union, and we need a political union first and foremost. We must, step by step, cede responsibilities to Europe."
If you've been poisoned, does the emergency room doctor prescribe you more poison as the remedy? If you're morbidly obese, should you be rushed to an all-you-can-eat buffet and forced to gorge yourself to help you lose weight? Nor should the remedy for the ailments of the European Union, and they are many, be "more Europe"!
If this was the extent of Merkel's folly, it would be concerning enough, but the German leader had more to say about her phantasmagoric vision for the EU:
"We don't have a European public - domestically, every country has different priorities. A European public, a European audience needs to be created."
So, let me get this straight: It's a bad thing for a country to have its own priorities? For its politicians to do what is their raison d'être in any democracy, namely representing the wishes of their constituents in an elected parliament? Apparently democracy is well past its 'sell by' date and such things would just be selfish, at least according to Merkel and her EU cohorts.
One of my issues with the EU from the beginning was its attempt to homogenize the distinct culture, heritage and history that makes each European nation what it is. Merkel's new plans make it clear that common currency was just the first move in the endgame of also removing individuality from each EU member's economic and banking policies. Self-determination be damned. Never mind that the makeup of every European nation's economy is (heaven forbid!) completely different, or that a chancellor of the exchequer (or equivalent) of the elected party should have the right to declare a budget plan for his or her country alone.
Beyond the practical implications, there is also something profoundly patronising about Merkel's attitude. It's like parents who give their newly licensed teenager keys to a car that they have purchased, only to snatch them away when the youngster's driving is deemed irresponsible. The difference, of course, is that these parents have the right to do such a thing, as they are the decision makers in the house and have paid for the car.
In contrast, for all Germany's financial contributions to prop up the collapsing roof of the EU's house of cards, Merkel does not have the right to discipline the supposedly misbehaving leaders of elected governments across the Continent. She was elected to rule Germany and just Germany and, while it's the modus operandi of the EU to meddle in its member states' affairs far beyond its jurisdiction, she has gone too far this time. The "fiskalpakt" would just be the conduit to a complete political takeover - something that no true British patriot can entertain.
And what of David Cameron? The prime minister is making all the right noises to satisfy Euro-skeptics in the Conservative Party and beyond. In response to Merkel's comments, he said:
"If you think you can just establish a European Parliament and a flag and everyone will be loyal to it, that's nonsense."
Good on you, Dave. I just hope you mean what you say, and are not merely paying lip service to boost your flagging polling numbers.
Cameron also shot down Merkel's call for "party families" across national boundaries - borders that would be effectively erased if she had her druthers. In response to this proposal, Cameron said, "The idea we're going to have genuinely European-wide parties when countries have so many institutions, traditions and thoughts is unrealistic."
Again, top marks for defiant rhetoric. But what Cameron must avoid is the dithering that Winston Churchill once called "merely a frothing of words." Instead, we must see tangible, decisive action from our prime minister, who should heed Churchill's timeless appraisal of Britain's ideal role in the European community: "We are with Europe, but not of it. We are linked but not compromised. We are interested and associated but not absorbed..." The first step to guaranteeing British interests, no matter what Nick Clegg thinks about it, must be to call a referendum on Britain's EU membership.
Let the voice of the British people roar a collective "Nein" to the German chancellor, Jose Manuel Barroso and the other would-be masters of our fate, through the ballot boxes they will relegate to history if we let them.
Follow Philip White on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PhilipWhiteBook
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I'd be curious to what the author considers the EU's attempts to homogenize distinct cultures. I see it investing quite a lot in the Europe of regions. I see it investing quite a lot in - notably - the cinema industries in each county, supporting those local films that have a chance to reach other national markets. What is the author referring to specifically?
Just wait, within a month the idea of a common language will be floated as a solution to the Euro crisis: "Ah, well, if everybody could speak the same language then they could move to where the jobs are!"
Suddenly that Spitting Image sketch with John Major fighting an independence war from the EU doesn't seem so far-fetched...or funny!
This woman is slowly but surely becoming more and more demented. The problem is none of the other European leaders have the courage to tell her she is talking through her arschloch! You couldn't write this stuff...except it reminds me of 'One flew over the Cuckoo's Nest!'
The only reason Germany is the financial powerhouse it is now is due to the billions of dollars pumped into it by the US following yet another world war orchestrated by them. They will NOT achieve domination through political means.
Interesting that Germany received $1.448 billion but France received $2.296 billion and the UK $3.297 billion under the Marshall Plan. How do you explain the UK's failure to become "the financial powerhouse"?
Germany were never obliged to pay a cent back.
Nobody will be in doubt that all rules and regulations will emanate from Germany as without that Germany will not OK any deal because it's their money at risk.
In effect the PIIGS will have taxation without representation creating a huge unrepresented German hinterland working to meet German rules and regulations. Isn't this exactly what made the US break away from the UK?
Obviously Germany will have little difficulty agreeing to the new structure because it will be exactly what they would want anyway.
Only Germans think like Germans and have German values. Italians, Greeks and others have their own distinct cultures and values.
Will they be prepared to bow down to the new Germanic EU imposed structure which offers them little in return for a complete loss of sovereignty and accountability?
At least Angela Merkel is (at long last) being both logical and open, something Mr Cameron either hasn't the capability or integrity so to be.
And, at long last we have a clear articulated vision of the Europe the arrogant elite who have obfuscated over this since the EU inception 40 years ago, have always wanted. A clear choice, put it to a referendum.
What a colossal shame it is that we are faced with such a choice only when desperation sets in.
http://www.raymondibrahim.com/11798/graphic-video-tunisian-muslims-slaughter-convert
I think she is wrong, but she is reasoned, articulate and consistent. She deserves to be treated with respect. You won't change her mind with snidey bluster.
"One of the tragic truths of the crisis on the continent is that, on the whole, the economic fundamentals of the eurozone – outstanding debt, budget deficits, trade balances, growth, inflation, etc. – are better than the UK’s. The real problem in the zone is that the money is in the wrong places..."
http://www.unexpectedutility.com/blog/politics/uk-politicians-must-yield-on-referendum-vote/
What was the reason for moving along the European path in the first place? 1. No more wars. From the Ural mountains to the Atlantic coast, from the Arctic circle to Gibraltar the wars have left their wounds and scars. (This writer's family included). No more wars - and for someone in Kansas I say it again NO MORE WARS - WE MUST FIND TOGETHERNESS, NOT DIVISION. Europe wants to build up their countries and resents spending money on the forces of destruction, e.g. bombs, soldiers etc. because that is unproductive expenditure.
2. Germany and the other countries were not big enough economic units. They felt squashed by the industrial might of the US and Japan, and going through the Reserve Currency USD is a little ridiculous when you are in Hamburg and want to buy butter from Kopenhagen.
Although I am in Australia, I really wish the Americans would butt out of European issues. Haven't you got enough issues of your own? And besides, the Europeans are well aware that this Great Depression Mark II has descended on them from the US. Advice not welcome.
Mostly, the only real question they ask themselves is 'what's in it for me', and look at me, I'm being successful, regardless of the consequences!' Tony Blaire was a great exponent of this ethos; he really didn't really want to be PM of the UK he wanted to be the President of Europe! I'm so relieved that didn't happen, but there is nothing to say it won't in the future.
The real worry is for growth. The majority of the EU is lacking in this and with out growth, recession, double dip, triple dip etc will go on, the Euro will implode and each country will struggle and revert to its own resources to get by. That's why the UK needs to look else where to achieve this growth, once other country's cotton on to this fact, if the UK doesn't do this, we will be killed in the rush.
How about the US butt out of Australian affairs while they're at it?
You can cope with China's ever-increasing influence on your own.
Seen plenty of Chinese merchandise here, but not much in terms of 'ever-increasing influence'. There was plenty of hoo hah about the US/Australian free trade agreement about 8 yrs ago, no benefits to be seen with microscope.
So, the Chinese influence is growing. In the 50s and 60s it was US influence, in the 70s and 80s Japanese ............... we're still here. I can't actually see growing Chinese influence in local government, State, Federal government. Could you enlighten me there?