Comparing U.S., EU Constitutions

Washington Times ^ | Tuesday, August 12, 2003 | By William Niskanen

[JohnHuang2]

Europeans soon will consider a proposed constitution for the European Union that is very different from the U.S. Constitution.

The United States is the oldest and largest surviving constitutional republic — a nation that has experienced a larger increase in area, population and income, absorbing people of more diverse racial, ethnic, and language backgrounds than any other contemporary nation. So Europeans are well advised to understand and consider those characteristics of the U.S. Constitution that provided the political and legal framework for the American success story.

[JohnHuang2]

Tuesday, August 12, 2003

Quote of the Day by MEG33

[goldstategop]

The EU's edict is for benevolent socialism.

[Cheapskate]

"the Union is committed to a Europe of sustainable devolpment based on balanced economic growthwith a socail market economy aiming at full employmentand socail progress."

So, does that mean if a business is deemed to unbalance the economic growth or doesent aim at full employment , the government can take it over, or just close it?
And these are the guys that want to run our country?
I for one want no part of it.

[Nateman]

Sounds very similar to the Soviet Constitution. Can we say "Brain Drain" ? (Until they build the wall , but that comes much later )

[bets]

Also sounds like they lack Checks and Balances. Haven't they learned from history that dictators LOVE to grow and thrive in a hothouse environment like that? Seems like it's being setup on purpose to fall into the hands of a dictator.

Daniel 7 and Rev 13 and 17 anyone?

[Cyclops08]

The EU document is so vague and undefined, it is just asking for abuse. Something tells me that precious few europeans will be VOTING on this document.

It was made by beaurocrats, and not by the people. Its the document any tyrany would love. God help the EU-wait: The EU removed any mention of God OUT of the document.

[bets]

I feel sorry for their people. In a way, some are getting what they deserve. But others are totally unsuspecting. Yes, memories are short over there. Maybe as Europeans they're all WAY too optimistic about having the perfect KING arise and lead them. At least Americans were able to admit the flaws in man so that they engineered checks and balances in their system of gov. Americans rejected the system of relying on one King.

Even God didn't like the idea (remember, He was happy w/the judges system, it was the goofy people who cried out for a king so they could be like their pagan neighbors).

[Prodigal Son]

The EU's edict is for benevolent socialism.

Which, of course, cannot exist (for long).

[Prodigal Son]

But others are totally unsuspecting.

One thing that continues to astound me here is the general complacency of the populace. If you were to go out on the street or in a pub and begin asking people about the EU Constitution, tallying up the results as you went along- you'd find a very underwhelming minority of people who actually know anything about it at all. Of those that do know something about it, it is only some vague idea that it's just a lot of paperwork being sorted out on the Continent somewhere.

The few people who do know about it are either very concerned but constitute such a narrow slice of the electorate as to not matter or they are ecstatic koolaid drinking socialists who think they are creating a paradise.

It is simply not given much time at all on the telly from what I can tell and the rest of the media don't harp on it much either. It's hard to tell whose fault this is, whether it be the gov't or media intentionally keeping the sheep quiet or the media simply not being able to sell papers if the headlines scream about the Constitution (which would indicate general apathy for the subject in the populace) but it is definitely a problem.

With this list of supposed "rights" the constitution would ensure, they are sealing their fate to tyranny and collapse. It might take a long time, but it will happen just as surely as the snow melts in spring.

[mrsmith]

Bill of Rights... Ha!

It is a Bill of Dependencies- just what peasants should present to their feudal lords.

[americanbychoice]

It seems like the Aristocracy will be back in power. No States rights, no sovereignity any more. They are attempting to rule from the top down again instead of the people controlling the decision makers.
I can see a lot of resentment (revolution?) coming on in the future?
The question is : Will they eat cake again?