Should the US join the EEC ?

[Captain Oates 911]

Thoughts :

India/China/ Malaysia etc etc are predicted to dwarf the US economy in x years from now...

the third largest economy - Germany is in the EEC

the fourth largest UK is in the EEC

the fifth largest France - is in the EEC

The population of the EEC is already 50% greater than the USA

A larger trading block is needed for the US

Advantages:

No tariffs

Increased trade

Easy exchange of labour which could go where it is needed, the cheap jobs in the US would go to say Bulgarians which would remove the incentive for Mexicans to cross the border as there would be no cheap jobs at all for them.

A common currency - the US dollar is projected to plummet from an already low level. Adoption of the euro which has independent stability mechanisms would give the US a strong stable currency

An ease to internal ethnic tension - the concentrations of large ethnic groups - say Pakistani in the UK or Mexican in the US are destabilizing - with freedom of movement, many Pakistanis would move to the US and many Mexicans to the UK - this would reduce large ethnic pockets and promote absorption into the wider community

A removal of political tensions - under EEC human rights legislation, the US would give up Guantanamo bay etc and the exemption of US soldiers from the International criminal court thus bringing them into line with other armies - this would remove sources of political contention.

Cheaper European holidays for US citizens with the adoption of the Euro

Of course the US would have to cede much sovereignty to Brussels, but all the countries of europe were able to do this - despite initial reservations - and found it beneficial -

A 60% reduction in the size of the USCIS/NVC with the money saved going to switching opium poppy production in Afghanistan to organic herbs for bath oils...

Can anyone see any down side ?

Edited May 22, 2007 by saywhat

[Krikit 1,164]

Can anyone see any down side ?

We're not in Europe? (EEC = European Economic Community)

[homesick_american 1]

Not only no, but hell no.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I can't see anyone selling that to the US electorate, nor any reason why they would want to.

The US economy isn't weak enough that there is any reason to capitulate to Europe.

Part of the reason the UK has stayed out of the single currency is that it would bring some short-medium term economic consequences, as it did across Europe when it was first introduced. Still delaying the inevitable (for Britain) would only seem to make that worse when they do go in on it.

[Captain Oates 911]

Not only no, but hell no.

You mean you can't see any downside ?

You surprise me

The US wants Turkey in - and Turkey is in asia - so geography doesn't count - only the proximity of your missile sites to Moscow

[homesick_american 1]

I can't see anyone selling that to the US electorate, nor any reason why they would want to.

The US economy isn't weak enough that there is any reason to capitulate to Europe.

Part of the reason the UK has stayed out of the single currency is that it would bring some short-medium term economic consequences, as it did across Europe when it was first introduced. Still delaying the inevitable (for Britain) would only seem to make that worse when they do go in on it.

I can't see the UK adopting the euro in the next 20 years. I'll eat my hat if that happens.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I can't see anyone selling that to the US electorate, nor any reason why they would want to.

The US economy isn't weak enough that there is any reason to capitulate to Europe.

Part of the reason the UK has stayed out of the single currency is that it would bring some short-medium term economic consequences, as it did across Europe when it was first introduced. Still delaying the inevitable (for Britain) would only seem to make that worse when they do go in on it.

I can't see the UK adopting the euro in the next 20 years. I'll eat my hat if that happens.

They'll have to eventually - hard to see how they will maintain a competitive economy with the GBP being as strong as it is.

Not only is everything more expensive in the UK - but (under Brown as Chancellor) we're paying higher taxes than ever before. With him as PM, things will undoubtedly get worse.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Also, the idea already has been explored--and the US is the dominant of the NAFTA block.

(from one whose path to citizenship started through NAFTA)

[homesick_american 1]

They'll have to eventually - hard to see how they will maintain a competitive economy with the GBP being as strong as it is.

Not only is everything more expensive in the UK - but (under Brown as Chancellor) we're paying higher taxes than ever before. With him as PM, things will undoubtedly get worse.

I know; I'm so glad we're leaving.

[Krikit 1,164]

I can't see the UK adopting the euro in the next 20 years. I'll eat my hat if that happens.

Or the U.S. Heck, they couldn't even manage to convince their citizens to accept the metric system. There'd be riots if they tried to change the monetary system. LOL

[Captain Oates 911]

They'll have to eventually - hard to see how they will maintain a competitive economy with the GBP being as strong as it is.

The pound isn't strong -it's the US dollar that is weak through mis-management

look at all the other currencies agains the dollar historically

Dollar is the new lira - I have just bought 3 truck loads for 10 shillings and a pickled egg...

alan

[homesick_american 1]

This is for the people here who may not be familiar with saywhat's antics in the United Kingdom forum:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...st&p=929019

Good thinking ! I started this topic as a serious one but conducted in a hopefully humorous fashion and I am happy with how it went overall. It is going to take a lot of tact and I might suppress my beliefs in the cause of harmony, but I sure won't change them- so honour will be satisfied...

I have just started a new one in 'other topics general' to discuss whether the USA should join the EEC - that one isn't totally serious and I just wanted to light a bonfire ! It is 'other topics' after all so it's not being a time waster - being ruled from Brussels should get em at it - I will try and stand back a bit and let a few others slog it out- of course it might not ruffle any feathers and nobody will contribute ? let's see

alan

Now your eyes are open. Debate away.

Edited May 22, 2007 by homesick_american

[Captain Oates 911]

Also, the idea already has been explored--and the US is the dominant of the NAFTA block.

(from one whose path to citizenship started through NAFTA)

I have to reveal more of my ignorance - what does nafta mean...

'No Agriculture For These Americans'

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

They'll have to eventually - hard to see how they will maintain a competitive economy with the GBP being as strong as it is.

The pound isn't strong -it's the US dollar that is weak through mis-management

look at all the other currencies agains the dollar historically

Dollar is the new lira - I have just bought 3 truck loads for 10 shillings and a pickled egg...

alan

Believe me - as it stands the UK economy is being run into the ground. Looks good on paper - but thats about it.

The US economy is still pretty strong despite the national deficit. In some respects the low value of the dollar is actually a benefit - specifically to manufacturing. Though quite what state the US manufacturing industry is in these days is another matter.

[Captain Oates 911]

This is for the people here who may not be familiar with saywhat's antics in the United Kingdom forum:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...st&p=929019

Good thinking ! I started this topic as a serious one but conducted in a hopefully humorous fashion and I am happy with how it went overall. It is going to take a lot of tact and I might suppress my beliefs in the cause of harmony, but I sure won't change them- so honour will be satisfied...

I have just started a new one in 'other topics general' to discuss whether the USA should join the EEC - that one isn't totally serious and I just wanted to light a bonfire ! It is 'other topics' after all so it's not being a time waster - being ruled from Brussels should get em at it - I will try and stand back a bit and let a few others slog it out- of course it might not ruffle any feathers and nobody will contribute ? let's see

alan

Now your eyes are open. Debate away.

Shouldn't you have sent that one to teacher - with a box of chocolates ?

We had girls like you at school

spoilsport

but it won't because it's fun !