It's making my country poor, it allowed its industries to be outsourced, and it is now robbing people from their sovereignty.
It's not providing any kind of protection against the outside world, but it is destroying all of its members previous protection (such as tolls).
I don't think it's the cause of all the problems in Europe, but it certainly prevents its members from solving them.
We're definitely going off-topic here but I just have to ask:
I heard that there is a strong anti-EU sentiment in many member states precisely because people feel the same way you do about EU. But obviously, EU worked out quite well for the majority of citizens of those countries.
Why am I saying that? Well, it seems to me that if the majority was genuinely dissatisfied with their country being a part of the union, they'd petition for a referendum, the government would be obliged to hold the referendum if enough people petitioned for it (certainly if the majority wanted it), then once the referendum is held, the people would vote against staying in the union and presto - they're no longer a member.
So why didn't something like this happen in any of the member countries? There are countries trying desperately to get into the union, but I don't know of any country that desparately wants to get out.
Not yet at least. The dissatisfaction is growing, but it's not yet the opinion of the majority. Unless there are drastic changes, it will be.
The last treaty (TCE and its ersatz), was rejected by all the referendums. None of the countries who ratified them used referendum.
But it's a bit naïve to say that petitioning the government for a referendum would oblige the government to hold it.
But obviously, EU worked out quite well for the majority of citizens of those countries.
As a matter of fact, it's still working out well for the newcomers. But for founding members, especially France, my country, it hasn't been the case for the past twenty years.
Is there any part of the EU you'd want to keep? I ask because whilst I could do without some parts of the EU (the European Commission, for instance), other parts like the single market and the ability to travel freely between countries seems like rather good ideas.
Yes. Obviously, it's not completely bad or good. It is my opinion that it's mostly bad, but in theory, it could be changed to something that'd work better.
What I think will actually happen, though, is that it will collapse.
