From an outsider's standpoint, it looks like a few politicians in Belgium are getting the benefit of rule over a huge landmass, and other than allowing that huge landmass to be ruled by them, are offering nothing except negotiating trade for the EU.

Where is the military force that should have been built to protect this huge landmass. I see muslims flooding into the EU, with Belgium calling out where they should be "housed". I don't see Belgium taking it's fair share of the onslaught.

I have nothing against Belgium per se, it just seems that they are profiting in a number of ways, and the only thing they give back to the EU is making decisions for the EU.

it was treated like a binding, real-deal referendum by both sides. and what amount of damage would it inflict upon the parliament if they now went "yeah, there was a majority in favor of leaving, but it was non-binding, advisory, and we, the parliament, decided to go against the 'advise' given by the public in this referendum"?

Probably none since they could have just said "we've heard your support, so we ere gonna come up with a specific plan and propose it to the people"

This post was edited by Thor123422 on Nov 16 2018 12:09pm

If this was the only benefit for the EU, which it isn't, you could still argue it's way worth it.

If the EU hadn't existed Russia, the USA and China whould have all gleefully abused us in trade negotiations. The trade bloc of the EU on the other hand, has the sort of soft power that can rival the US or China.

I mean just look at the two articles in the OP of this topic. Both are titled... "Juncker says... "

...about brexit... about Catalan...


What do the UK and Spain for that matter get back from Juncker? Does Juncker protect their borders? Does he improve their infrastructure?
We know he works the trade negotiations, but what else, except deal out red tape?



/e



First off, the US doesn't abuse the EU in trade. Second off, if we DID want to, what would Juncker be able to do to stop us?

This post was edited by Ghot on Nov 16 2018 12:14pm

Would you consider the relationship the US has with canada as "isolationist"? I assume you're talking about Farage? He's been advocating for free trade but without the added beauracracy of the EU.

Also, you realize by being in the EU you do give up some sovereignty right? And it is, by definition, an added layer of bureaucracy, right? Like you understand why people are actually saying these things?

Example - the individual states of the US give up sovereignty and have MORE bureaucracy by having a state government and a federal government. thats just a fact. We have just decided that it is worth it to give up these things because we have so much in common, etc that the benefits of being together far outweigh the cost of sovereignty and added bureaucracy.
However, the EU is VERY different than the US in this regard, and so I am asking you one last time, what makes you think it is worth it to give up the aforementioned things for a unified EU?

I'm actually losing hope i'm going to get an actual answer. Thor if you're here please take this guys place.

https://what-europe-does-for-me.eu/

Yes, this website is an EU project so you should take it as what it is, promoting a pro-EU agenda. On the other hand, plenty of benefits are shown here.

'just the trade' hu ? Then things can degenerate pretty quickly, especially during a very major recession.
This take years, history books could help you because i wont go further, seems it doesn't worth it.

This post was edited by Saucisson6000 on Nov 16 2018 12:19pm

To me, from the outside... it looks like a whole bunch of. ... not much.

Has the EU provided a unified rail system? Adequate defense of itself? Unified healthcare, retirement, pricing standards?

Yes, it helps with trade, relying mostly on the good graces of their trading partners, and it seem to help with internet issues. I don't see much else. Except ofc, I don't see Belgium being over run with muslims. I don't see Belgium having any issues, financially. I pretty much see Belgium floating in the cream that floats on top of all that goes on in the EU.

take it easy ok ? :