Special Report
Brezhnev in Dublin
Voting until they get it right in the European Union.
(Page 2 of 2)
Well, kind of. Last December Irish Foreign Minister Micheál Martin stated that “we will not be asking people to vote on the same proposition.” But what Dublin received was the promise of future action, not present amendments. Irish Socialist MEP Joe Higgins acknowledged: the guarantee process is “an elaborate charade. The so-called guarantees are simply designed to throw dust in the eyes of ordinary people in Ireland to give them the impression that something fundamental has been changed in the Lisbon Treaty,” thereby making people think they will be voting on a different document when “It is exactly the same text, word by word, not even a comma has been changed.”
Similarly, explains Open Europe’s Lorraine Mullally: “Despite lengthy negotiations and lots of superficial statements about ‘respecting’ the Irish ‘no’ vote, not a single comma has changed — if there were any changes at all to the Treaty, then all the other member states would have to re-ratify it. None of the statements made [at the EU summit] are binding in EU law. But even if they were, they do nothing to address Irish concerns.”
Treaty advocates argue otherwise, of course. Given its difficulty in selling the treaty, the Irish government is attempting to turn the treaty referendum into a vote on membership in the EU. Jim O’Hara, CEO of Intel Ireland, added: “People don’t understand the economic catastrophe that could unfold if we don’t get a ‘Yes’ vote.” But few critics of Lisbon want to leave the EU. Since the EU appears to be working as is, they simply see no reason to expand the EU’s authority.
The betting is that Lisbon will carry the second time around. (If it doesn’t, threatened one German Socialist MEP, Ireland will face “isolation” and “second class” status.) Still, nothing is guaranteed. British MEP Daniel Hannan writes of an Irish friend who told him: “we didn’t fight off the might of the British Empire just so as to be bossed about by the Belgians.”
Moreover, the Czech and Polish presidents have to yet to sign off on the agreement and if the Tories win next year’s election in Britain, they might use a future treaty as an opportunity to demand their own concessions, à la the Irish. And if the Conservatives come to power — which is as certain as anything in politics — before the Lisbon process is completed, they are likely to reverse the Labour government’s ratification.
Only the Europeans can decide on the EU’s future. Timothy Garton Ash wrote in the Guardian of “the essential grandeur of this project we call the European Union, where nations born in so much blood work together freely in a commonwealth of democracies.” He is right, but his argument actually works against the Lisbon Treaty, or at least the current ratification process, which excludes the people forced to live under the resulting government. Declares Roger Cole: “This referendum is not an Irish battle. It is a European battle fought on Irish soil, a battle between the peoples of Europe that support democracy and the elite of Europe that want an empire.”
About the Author
Doug Bandow is a senior fellow at the Cato Institute. A former Special Assistant to President Ronald Reagan, he is the author and editor of several books, including The Politics of Plunder: Misgovernment in Washington (Transaction).
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Joseph Harriss | 8.18.09 @ 6:43AM
Great article that touches all the bases and shows up the Euro Elite Oligarchy at its old power-seeking tricks again. The contempt for the Irish and indeed all EU publics is staggering. Fortunately for Brussels, no one seems to care, as long as the subsidies to agriculture and the rest keep coming. As we used to say at Notre Dame: Go Irish!
Joseph Harriss, Paris
frost| 8.18.09 @ 7:00AM
Excellent analysis (or, so it appears, from afar), and a sticky problem for the type of people who don't like being pushed around, backed into a corner.
Hope they're able to maintain their courage.
Manuel of Wilmslow, U.K.| 8.18.09 @ 7:30AM
It is all so simple really. In 2008 the Irish gave the incorrect answer to the Lisbon question by voting "No".
To show how gracious and carring the EU is, Brussels has more or less demanded a re-run to allow the Irish the golden opportunity to give the correct answer, which is (and must be) "Yes".
The EU has repeatedly demonstrated its utter contempt for its electors, working full time on the basis "we know best of what you need". Any & all negative voting is disregarded and as in the Irish re-run, we are given an opportunity to show our 'democratic' approval so long as we voters give the right & desired answer.
It will be wonderful to behold the headless running amock of the EU should the Irish stick to their guns, shove a collective two fingers 'V' in the air, and VOTE "NO".
Oh please do, it will create an amazing spectacle, worthy of an Ealing comedy film script.
Melvin| 8.18.09 @ 8:00AM
Oh you silly stupid Irishmen. How could you be so naive to think that voting no on Lisbon would be the end of Brussels meddling in your sovereignty.
If the EU has it's way, it will make Ireland the Balkans of the West by punishing Ireland for it's defiance and drive it into the economic trash-heap.
Ireland survived the last famine by surviving on potatoes, but alas this time the EU won't even let Irishmen keep that.
Jack Olson| 8.18.09 @ 8:09AM
All or nearly all of the countries which have ratified the EU Constitution did so through their national assemblies of delegates instead of popular vote. Those who call this undemocratic are entirely correct, but have we Americans forgotten that our own Constitution was ratified in the same manner?
Lullabys, Legends and Lies| 8.18.09 @ 8:12AM
I bet you?,.. The Irish would join the American Union over the EU in a second,.. as the 51st State!!,.. they’ve never been impressed by their European neighbors,.. Ever!!,.. but the Irish love America,.. and always have!!,.. hell!!,.. there’s more Irish in America?,.. than there are in the Old country,.. and it would make about as much sense as Hawaii being part of our Union on the other side,.. so maybe they could do a write in vote for the U.S. instead,.. I’d take Ireland as the 51st State anyday,.. just to piss off Europe!!,.. maybe the Irish will get drunk on Election day too,.. just like we did last year.
Pingback| 8.18.09 @ 9:23AM
Lisbon 2 - Brezhnev in Dublin. - Politics.ie links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Charles Martel| 8.18.09 @ 9:35AM
Lullabys, the Irish didn't fight off the might of the British Empire just so as to be bossed about by Nancy Pelosi.
+++
John Armstrong| 8.18.09 @ 10:38AM
I read the article Brezhnev in Dublin with great interest. I think the key to success for the EU in its attempt to freeze out democracy while building a new soviet style dictatorship, is whether other nations outside the EU grant it official recognition.
Will The President of The United States recognise Europe's newly created 'High Representative'? Or Perhaps more importantly the new European President? Posts that will be created with the final ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, and Neither of which will carry any democratic mandate whatever.
The administration in the US is well aware of the democratic deficit in the EU. All it would take is a well directed frown of disapproval, and all the nations of Europe would be granted a referendum on their future. Though whether that would suit the purposes of the US is another question.
As for the danger to democracy in the US; get to recognise the thin end of the wedge when you see it.
Pingback| 8.18.09 @ 11:20AM
Brezhnev in Dublin : Refuse Resist links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
janet| 8.18.09 @ 11:30AM
This is just ANOTHER example of how un-democratic Europe really is. When the Constitution of the US starts with "We the People..." and the Constitution of Europe starts with "His Majesty the King of the Belgians..." it really says something. Having just recently spent time in Europe and having family still living there, I can tell you firsthand that Europe is not a democracy, but then the US is fast becoming like Europe.....
Lullabys, Legends and Lies| 8.18.09 @ 11:45AM
Charles: “The Irish didn’t fight off the might of the British Empire just so as to be bossed about by Nancy Pelosi”
Good point Chuck!!,.. I didn’t think about it like that?,.. in that light the European Union sounds a lot more inviting!!,.. so maybe we can get our “Flyover States” to join the Irish Union then?,.. that is?,.. if they’re excepting applications.
david| 8.18.09 @ 12:04PM
Do you not find it odd that many of the quotes in your article are from those on the extreme anti-American left wing. Roger Cole, Joe Higgins, etc. Why are you presenting them as serious thinkers?
Tony in Central PA| 8.18.09 @ 12:21PM
Using a democratic process to eliminate a people's representation ? Was this the devil's idea ?
Don't expect this US Administration to do anything in the name of liberty. I expect our dear leader will eventually find himself living comfortably in exile in the south of France.
Barry| 8.18.09 @ 12:28PM
Let's be honest the elite are showing a complete lack of understanding about enforcing this power grab on to us. Haven't they read any history books, there will undoubtedly be an outbreak of terrorism to free europe from the evil axis in strasbourg known only as the commission of the corruption ridden democratically deficient fascist eu.
Charles Martel| 8.18.09 @ 6:32PM
Lullabys, now you're talkin'! First we secede, then we join them. Win-win.
+++
Pingback| 8.18.09 @ 6:33PM
Lisbon 2 - Brezhnev in Dublin. - Page 2 - Politics.ie links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Jack Neidlinger| 8.18.09 @ 6:35PM
To quote Leonard Cohen
"I've seen the future and, man, it is murder"
Pingback| 8.18.09 @ 10:15PM
Doug Bandow » Blog Archive » Brezhnev in Europe: Vote for the EU, or Else! links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Nika | 8.19.09 @ 3:33AM
Brezhnev doctrine is steel live...
jordan 6 rings | 8.19.09 @ 6:07AM
I recently to visit your blog, reading, I very much enjoy, and above the content is great.
Manuel of Wilmslow, U.K.| 8.19.09 @ 12:08PM
janet| 8.18.09 @ 11:30AM
" When the Constitution of the US starts with "We the People..." and the Constitution of Europe starts with "His Majesty the King of the Belgians..." it really says something."
YOUR POINT IS...? Just what does it say? Both your quotes are just a few worthless sentiments, the meat and reallity will be found elsewhere, if it is there at all.
Pingback| 8.21.09 @ 2:21PM
Steynian 375 « Free Canuckistan! links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
JD | 8.22.09 @ 8:09AM
Great article, and depressingly true. JD.
NO TO LISBON MEANS NO TO LISBON!
http://www.facebook.com/group......amp;ref=mf
Pingback| 8.23.09 @ 5:31AM
Condensed Knowledge – August 23, 2009 – Lists - Raoul Pop links to this page. Here’s an excerpt: