Completely Uninformed Political Ranting

So, I don't know jack squat about the E.U. or U.S. Politics. But, it's my flippin blog, so I'll say what I want.

I read a recent NY Times article about Ireland's recent rejection of the Lisbon Treaty. Now I have no idea what the Lisbon Treaty was attempting to address, or how it affected any of the European Nations. However, my increasing opinion that either the United States needs to split into at least four large regional "countries" or swing way more political power back into State and Local governments seems to color my reactions to the limited exposure to E.U. politics.

As a side note, this article (yes, by golly gee whiz! never noticed it before!) is probably one of the most slanted or unapologetically biased articles I've read by the Times. Sccccarrry.

This is my worry. (recall my rants about the future of medicine and Google, woOooOOoOo)

Ok so here we go. The United States government, large, alienating, not really a democracy, etc etc. (as another interesting side note check out this video of Noam Chomsky.) Has nevertheless provided a very nurturing environment for corporations to grow large large and become the boo nasty hiss TNCs (trans-national corporations). Also, a very successful environment for an elite ruling class to rule under almost impervious ruse of democracy, election, support of the ruled. When, in fact, the ruled often don't support the ruling. Let's see what was I reading recently. Ah, yes, Slaughterhouse Five by Vonnegut. The 100 American prisoners of war arrive at a camp in....can't remember where there are also British and Russian POWs. The Brits are appalled at the lack of refinery and general animalistic behavior American POWs. Then Vonnegut does a delightful explanation of the American phenomenon of the poor to despise themselves and blame themselves for their lot, when in fact, responsibility most solely lies upon the ruling class, the rich, the elite. But somehow, in America, we've turned that around with our National Myth of pulling oneself up by one's bootstraps and so, for arguably the first time in History, the ruling class in America, is not responsible for those it rules. Interesting. So accepting this, we then look at the development of the E.U.

Centralize centralize centralize. How the hell are we still moving in this direction!? Why are we continuing incessantly in this direction, toward centrality? We are so OVERLY centralized that nothing makes sense and nothing works. De-centralize, de-centralize. I take it all back. Centralization simply needs to occur in different areas, not the ones it's currently existent or being worked upon. Centralization needs to happen 1) geographically, people need to live where they work. this suburb structure is ridiculous. food needs to be grown where it's eaten, who isn't sick of semi's clogging up highways? POWER on the other hand, needs to be decentralized. because by decentralizing food, housing, electricy, goods, peoples, those in power are CENTRALIZING, let's use another term, consolidating, their power. by centralizing the other side, where food is grown, where we live, blah blah blah, we then decentralize the power. and make it more pertinent. ok rant.

So, while the Times article paints the Irish voters as a) dumb as bricks and not aware of all the miraculous benefits ratifying the Lisbon Treaty was eagerly awaiting to bestow upon them or b) spoiled brats who received European handouts to modernize the country (this is not necessarily a positive moral connotation) and is now refusing it to new E.U. countries

Certainly, Ireland had voters who voted against the Treaty who fit both of the above categories. But, I'm guessing, there's also Irish voters who know what the E.U. is, what the Treaty was doing, and just plain thought it was a bad idea, regardless of any xenophobia. So first off, kudos to Ireland having a law that requires these type measures be put to referendum instead of resting in the hands of the executive and legislative bodies like many other E.U. countries. However, the Californian water development and issues (or the American political system in general when it comes to "elections" rather) makes it plainly obvious that even public referendums are largely controlled by those with the budgets to campaign. it's at least a step in the right direction and perhaps Ireland doesn't have the same weaknesses as the American public does.

The second thing is that Ireland (from what I understand) voted no in the referendum because of fears that power would be shifted from Ireland to the E.U. (more power) now this may be misunderstood, or it may be not the "true" case of the Treaty, however, i resonate with those fears, real or imagined. I see the E.U. growing more and more similar to the environment we have here in the States. And since many of the boo nasty hiss TNCs are no longer so "American" in origin but "European" rather (even though TNC as term moves beyond nationality) insofar as "the West" is the 'first' world and everybody else is playing catch up.

So, wtf? No, give more power back to our State and local governments here in the U.S. and no! keep power in the individual countries of the E.U. I mean, I feel as though, if anything, the E.U. should be looking at the disastrous mess over here and saying, uhm, no we are not moving in that direction. But I suppose form the viewpoint of the ruling elite, America is a damn good model. Un-encumbered opportunity to make limitless wealth without any liability for resulting consequences. the American dream. and currently, a dream come true for a small portion of the world.


Perhaps my beloved anonymous could spare an opinion or two on the matter.