4 ms·

In my mind, the biggest mistake the EU has made is not being more vocal about its achievements. Perhaps this was because it was felt it would stoke some anti-EU

by tcldr 6y ago

In my mind, the biggest mistake the EU has made is not being more vocal about its achievements. Perhaps this was because it was felt it would stoke some anti-EU nationalists and threaten the project, but now that that cat is well and truly out of the bag it's now actually a great opportunity to finally take more vocal leadership around the EUs values, goals and achievements. Ironically, today, the integrity of the institution only seems to be enhanced by the less than savoury reputations and agendas of many of its detractors.

dgellow 6y ago
> the biggest mistake the EU has made is not being more vocal about its achievements Yes, the EU has a lot of work to do to improve their communication. EU communication within country members is almost non-existent. People in France have often zero idea what is being done in Brussels, don't know that their neighborhood new bike lanes and kindergarten have been financed by European funds. You regularly see people complaining in national media about EU lack of support for their own country, even when they just received a major financial support. Look for example at Italy, Poland, Hungary, where the anti-EU sentiment has become quite important while they received some of the highest crisis funds that have even been created.
- dudul 6y ago
  Where is the money coming from to fund the European funds? It is just the sum of members contributions. Funny that you mention France as an example since France is one of the countries that pay more to the EU than it receives.
  - tcldr 6y ago
    If you look at the inflow/outflow of funds explicitly I can see why you'd arrive at that conclusion. But one of the biggest benefits of being in the EU is being part of the world's largest trading bloc. Particularly for France who have a leading role.
    - dudul 6y ago
      Now we're getting off topic. The reality is the bike lanes in the parent are built with French money. I dont think France has a leading role in the EU, whats the last French initiative that was carried all the way to implementation? Reforming foreign workers rules didn't work, taxing tech giants didn't work. As for the largest trading bloc, it also comes with so many regulations that a lot of SMB can't even take advantage of it due to costs. Anyway, my main comment was just on these "financed by the EU" signs that you see everywhere but people don't even understand what it means, its just their own money.
      - dgellow 6y ago
        I don't understand the distinction you're trying to create. Yes EU investments are redirecting part of their budget to France, budget to which France is a contributor. That doesn't imply in any way that any EU funding is a funding by French people money.
        dudul 6y ago
        If I give you 100 bucks and you give me back 70 and tell me to use it to buy a new chair, who's paying for the chair? I'm not talking about all funding obviously! I'm talking about funding in countries who are net contributors. Of course Poland Hungary and all are getting a great deal.
  - dgellow 6y ago
    > Where is the money coming from to fund the European funds? Based on https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/eu-budget/long-term-eu-budget/2014-2020/revenue/own-resources/national-contributions_en https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/eu-budget/long-term-eu-bu..., 70% of the EU budget comes from national contributions. The other 30% come from VAT and duties and levies: https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/eu-budget/long-term-eu-budget/2014-2020/revenue/own-resources_en#own_res https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/eu-budget/long-term-eu-bu...
pmontra 6y ago
The EU doesn't have a single voice or face. The leaders of each country claim success in anything they had a role into, they don't attribute it to Europe. However it's very convenient to attribute the cause of any given problem to Europe or to some other specific European country. They must behave like that because they must win their local elections. Who cares about the European elections, anything can happen there. By the way, instant poll: who's the president of the EU Parliament (the Parliamentiis directly elected, the Commission is not) and / or which country s/he's from? Don't google it.

by tcldr 6y ago

dgellow 6y ago

> the biggest mistake the EU has made is not being more vocal about its achievements Yes, the EU has a lot of work to do to improve their communication. EU communication within country members is almost non-existent. People in France have often zero idea what is being done in Brussels, don't know that their neighborhood new bike lanes and kindergarten have been financed by European funds. You regularly see people complaining in national media about EU lack of support for their own country, even when they just received a major financial support. Look for example at Italy, Poland, Hungary, where the anti-EU sentiment has become quite important while they received some of the highest crisis funds that have even been created.

dudul 6y ago
Where is the money coming from to fund the European funds? It is just the sum of members contributions. Funny that you mention France as an example since France is one of the countries that pay more to the EU than it receives.
- tcldr 6y ago
  If you look at the inflow/outflow of funds explicitly I can see why you'd arrive at that conclusion. But one of the biggest benefits of being in the EU is being part of the world's largest trading bloc. Particularly for France who have a leading role.
  - dudul 6y ago
    Now we're getting off topic. The reality is the bike lanes in the parent are built with French money. I dont think France has a leading role in the EU, whats the last French initiative that was carried all the way to implementation? Reforming foreign workers rules didn't work, taxing tech giants didn't work. As for the largest trading bloc, it also comes with so many regulations that a lot of SMB can't even take advantage of it due to costs. Anyway, my main comment was just on these "financed by the EU" signs that you see everywhere but people don't even understand what it means, its just their own money.
    - dgellow 6y ago
      I don't understand the distinction you're trying to create. Yes EU investments are redirecting part of their budget to France, budget to which France is a contributor. That doesn't imply in any way that any EU funding is a funding by French people money.
      - dudul 6y ago
        If I give you 100 bucks and you give me back 70 and tell me to use it to buy a new chair, who's paying for the chair? I'm not talking about all funding obviously! I'm talking about funding in countries who are net contributors. Of course Poland Hungary and all are getting a great deal.
- dgellow 6y ago
  > Where is the money coming from to fund the European funds? Based on https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/eu-budget/long-term-eu-budget/2014-2020/revenue/own-resources/national-contributions_en https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/eu-budget/long-term-eu-bu..., 70% of the EU budget comes from national contributions. The other 30% come from VAT and duties and levies: https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/eu-budget/long-term-eu-budget/2014-2020/revenue/own-resources_en#own_res https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/eu-budget/long-term-eu-bu...

pmontra 6y ago

The EU doesn't have a single voice or face. The leaders of each country claim success in anything they had a role into, they don't attribute it to Europe. However it's very convenient to attribute the cause of any given problem to Europe or to some other specific European country. They must behave like that because they must win their local elections. Who cares about the European elections, anything can happen there. By the way, instant poll: who's the president of the EU Parliament (the Parliamentiis directly elected, the Commission is not) and / or which country s/he's from? Don't google it.