[Destro]

Correct - that is what I meant by "What the EU does represent that does strike Americans as "Socialist" is examples of homogenization and standardization by (what you correctly called them) Eurocrats."

Also, sadly some Americans who follow EU issues closely but through hackneed news sources like talk radio are influenced by End Time fundamentalist theories that the EU will be the land of the Anti-Christ so it also distorts their view of the real situation/issues faced by the EU.

[raybbr]

While I agree that creation of the EU will end a lot of what the French hold dear (socialist unions, closed markets, govt. subsidies) I also can understand that the French people (55% anyway) don't want to become a "European" as opposed to a Frenchman. Were I living there it would be difficult to vote yes. It would be like voting to become a North American instead of a U.S. citizen.

I really don't understand how the other countries that have ratified it have done so. Don't these people realize they are giving up their identity?

At the same time european socialism cries out for this union, doesn't it? What better way to create a Marxist like continent then to put them all under one jurisdiction. Imagine the U.N. running the continent of Europe. Won't that be the result of the EU?

[A Balrog of Morgoth]

Also, sadly some Americans who follow EU issues closely but through hackneed news sources like talk radio are influenced by End Time fundamentalist theories that the EU will be the land of the Anti-Christ

What an arrogant ass.