DAK, I don't object to Europe converging on a single currency. But, I believe that this should be handled as a parliamentary decision within each country rather than as an external treaty agreement. For example, Ecuador recently began using the USD as its official currency without a treaty agreement with the U.S. Monetary policy is rather simple for Ecuador: the supply of dollars in that country is determined by the trade balance with the U.S. (or other dollarized countries such as HK or Argentina).
"The long-standing dream of European Unity" is simply not the dream of most Europeans. Most Europeans are justifiably proud of their cultural traditions, but the EEC is intent at remaking Europe in the image of Benelux. The goals of the EEC go far beyond merely "simplifying" relations between member countries. Their goal is to make all Europeans into denatured units of economic production, who purchase apples and condoms of uniform size, in a uniform currency. I wholeheartedly support Denmark's revolt against the EEC.
The writer Sir John Betjeman expressed my views nicely:
The Planster's Vision (1958)
Cut down that timber! Bells, too many and strong,
Pouring their music through the branches bare,
From moon-white church-towers down the windy air
Have pealed the centuries out with Evensong.
Remove those cottages, a huddled throng!
Too many babies have been born in there,
Too many coffins, bumping down the stair,
Carried the old their garden paths along.
I have a Vision of the Future, chum
The worker's flats in fields of soya beans
Tower up like silver pencils, score on score:
And Surging Millions hear the Challenge come
From microphones in communal canteens
"No Right! No Wrong, All Perfect, Evermore!"
|
