[Owl558]

"It's basically a market of 450 million people instead (in my case) 50 million. Money and Peace, what's not to like?"

Dude, the thread is about the proposed constitution, not the current set-up that you enjoy. Have you read the proposed constitution that you may/may not be living under soon? Therein lies the answer to your question about what rights you may or may not have lost.

My experience in several parts of Europe is that nobody has even read the thing. How can you say anything good or bad about it if you haven't read it?

If you have, GREAT! Again, more power to you if a huge, socialist state is something you want to create!

[hedgetrimmer]

The only way for a country to be free is to protect a citizens unalienable rights. The constutiton of the USSR and subsequent constitutions of the countries released from the soviet union in 1991 contain enumerated rights-- rights granted by the government which can be taken by the government. American citizens were once taught this in school, and some of us remember how important this distinction is to preserving freedom.

Your comments on reading the documents leading up to the EU constitution and the EU constitution were spot on. Anyone who reads these documents with any criticality will see the intended consequences. I think most Europeans have not read up, or feel that the creation of a gigantic trading bloc is more important than the fundamental rights of man.

[hedgetrimmer]

Here are some "freedoms" enumerated in the Charter of European Rights

Everyone has the right to the protection of personal data concerning him or her.

BUT

Such data must be processed fairly for specified purposes and on the basis of the consent of the person concerned or some other legitimate basis laid down by law.

Everyone is equal before the law.

BUT

The principle of equality shall not prevent the maintenance or adoption of measures providing for specific advantages in favour of the under-represented sex.