Like I wrote: What sadly many Americans don't get - being that most are under educated on foreign events and get most of their news from sub par sources such as talk radio personalities - is that the EU is no going towards "Socialism" per say. In fact the French are voting 'NON' for the most part because the EU will end govt subsidies. The EU forces divestment of govt owned and supported business for the most part. What the EU does represent that does strike Americans as "Socialist" is examples of homogenization and standardization by (what I call) Eurocrats.
What the EU is striving for is a heavily regulated free market eurocracy and not really classical Marxist-Socialisim - not even the Swedish model.
The irony is that France would have been more market oriented under this EU constitution (even with the uber regulations) than she is now. I am sure that irony is lost on many here.
PS: There is the side of the 'NON' vote from those that don't want to be part of an EU with Turkey in it but that us a smaller segment than those French who don't want to lose their subsidized way of life as they would have under the EU constitution.
You are correct. The EU capitalism is based on the concept that a government can regulate and tax an ecconomy into prosperity.
It is based on onerous redistribution through taxation can offer 100% employment. There has always been buzz on a european "vision" of capitalism.
I think the function of the constitution was to allow for more eurocrat regulation formation without the obstruction of a on member "veto" as is now the case.
This is the part of the story that really is funny or not.
"In fact the French are voting 'NON' for the most part because the EU will end govt subsidies."
???
Article 28
Right of collective bargaining and action
Workers and employers, or their respective organisations, have, in accordance with Community law and national laws and practices, the right to negotiate and conclude collective agreements at the appropriate levels and, in cases of conflicts of interest, to take collective action to defend their interests, including strike action.
Article 29
Right of access to placement services
Everyone has the right of access to a free placement service.
Article 33
Family and professional life
1. The family shall enjoy legal, economic and social protection.
2. To reconcile family and professional life, everyone shall have the right to protection from dismissal for a reason connected with maternity and the right to paid maternity leave and to parental leave following the birth or adoption of a child.
Article 34
Social security and social assistance
1. The Union recognises and respects the entitlement to social security benefits and social services providing protection in cases such as maternity, illness, industrial accidents, dependency or old age, and in the case of loss of employment, in accordance with the rules laid down by Community law and national laws and practices.
2. Everyone residing and moving legally within the European Union is entitled to social security
benefits and social advantages in accordance with Community law and national laws and practices.
3. In order to combat social exclusion and poverty, the Union recognises and respects the right to
social and housing assistance so as to ensure a decent existence for all those who lack sufficient
resources, in accordance with the rules laid down by Community law and national laws and practices.
Article 35
Health care
Everyone has the right of access to preventive health care and the right to benefit from medical
treatment under the conditions established by national laws and practices. A high level of human
health protection shall be ensured in the definition and implementation of all Union policies and
activities.