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| Europe |
| Constitution foes fear for France's soul |
| 2005-05-26 |
| Such are the depths of Francois Vincent's disdain for the new European constitution that he recently uttered words that have not passed the lips of many Frenchmen. "I would rather be an American than a European," said Vincent, 63, who owns a vegetable stall in one of Paris' open-air markets. "At least Americans love their country." Ya got that right, Vincent. Like many Frenchmen who plan to vote "no" in this Sunday's referendum, he is worried that the new European constitution will rob France of some vital piece of its national soul. Must have been misplaced while Saddam was in power. Are they still looking for it? Didier Vernet, 53, a stallholder in the same market on Boulevard Raspail, thinks that's nuts. "Do you think the French will be stupid enough to vote `no'?" he said with a disdain to match Vincent's. "That would really be going backwards." Depends on the destination. The French referendum Sunday and another one three days later in the Netherlands have unexpectedly turned into a crisis for the architects of the European Union. Voters in both countries appear ready to ignore the pleadings of their elected leaders and reject the turgid 448-article draft that is supposed to serve as a constitution for the EU's 25 member states. "Turgid." A "draft." "Supposed to serve as a constitution". Such honesty made my surprise meter jump another two notches. Thus far, 10 member states have approved the constitution, but only one, Spain, did so by referendum. The others ratified it in their national legislatures. Question: What do Democrats, EUrocrats, and tyrants have in common? Answer: They don't want a vote. The draft constitution streamlines decision-making for the EU and gives it a stronger defense and foreign policy. The draft must be accepted by every member state before it becomes law. Draft Constitution == "Sign this blank check on your account, and we'll fill in all the other blanks later." Chirac has told voters that rejecting the constitution would weaken the French way of life and play into British (and American) designs for a weak European Union. German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder warned that a "no" vote in France would mean "Europe's voice would weaken, it would have trouble making itself heard," while Romano Prodi, former head of the European Commission, said a French rejection would be tantamount to "the fall of Europe." Opponents of the constitution say these fears are overblown. "People are not voting against Europe. They are voting against a constitution . . . that has 448 articles and is completely incomprehensible to them," said Jean-Pierre Chevenement, a former Socialist defense minister and leader of a breakaway faction that opposes the constitution. A socialist talking sense. What are shares in companies selling toboggans, skis, and snowshoes in Hell doing? Vernet, the stallholder who supports the constitution, is confident that Chirac, who is to address the nation Thursday evening--one last time before the vote--would be able to make the sale. "The one who speaks last always wins," he said. But Vincent, who would rather be an American than a European, said he would never change his mind. "They say [the constitution] is for democracy, but I think it will be a dictatorship," he said. "We'll all be put in boxes; we'll lose our country." It may be too far gone, Vincent, but I admire a man who loves his country enough to try to do what he thinks is the right thing to do for it. |
| Posted by:Ptah |
| #4 Give Francois Vincent a visa, now!!! |
| Posted by: Scott 2005-05-26 19:45 |
| #3 Interestingly, the bond market in recent weeks has priced in a significant premium for some Euro countries (particularly Italy) indicating they think they may leave the Eurozone. |
| Posted by: phil_b 2005-05-26 19:25 |
| #2 Phrance has a soul? Who knew? I didn't even know they knew what a soul is. |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2005-05-26 19:17 |
| #1 "Europe's voice would weaken, it would have trouble making itself heard,..." If only. |
| Posted by: Dave D. 2005-05-26 19:13 |