People living or have lived in europe(about the EU)?

Question

Do you like the EU? We don't hear much about what people think of the EU here in america(yeah I know, shocking). Just curious what you all think about it, and about the two new countries entering in janurary. I seen a lot of people in the UK are worried about immigration from these two countries.

Answer 1

All of Europe joining together is a joke. With so many differences in culture, values, moral and beliefs, how can Europe be one big happy family? Our governments can't agree on anything, and squabble who gets what out of who. England/Britain is the fifth largest economy in the whole world. Why would we want to literally give away our money (billions) to poor eastern European countries? What do we get from them in return? Bugger all. It doesn't make sense why my taxes pays for say child benefit goes to someone in another country, who have nothing to do with us. We fought two world wars, and for what? And yet we get a situation a bit like in Star Wars, where everything and everyone is taken over by the back door via lies and politics.
In regard to the two new countries, of course they want to join the EU. Who wouldn't, when we offer them loads of dosh, build them roads, transport systems, schools, hospitals, and the chance to come to Britain. Once here, they can get a free lunch for all the family, somewhere to live, and in time a job of sorts. Whilst waiting they get benefits to sit at home.
Despite our differences with our European neighbours, they generally an alright bunch who we get along with most of the time. I'm not against immigration, in moderation, but someone somewhere is taking the pis*!

Answer 2

Well, I'm an American who has lived in England for 5 1/2 years. I think the EU is a good thing for Europe in general, and for the UK, because it forces all countries in the Union to consider and adopt very high standards. People from poorer countries do have access to rich countries to find work, which frequently puts less intelligent people in those countries out of work. It's the same in the US, with Hispanic immigration. Both my brothers in the US have far less than average IQ's and they are suffering, bankrupt, and out of work because bright immigrants come and take jobs they would have had in years past. They don't yet know how to compete. And mainly it's immigrants coming INTO English-speaking countries, of course. Everyone wants to learn English. So --- it's tough on the English, just like it's tough on Americans.

Answer 3

The idea of removing barriers between countries and faciliating the free movement of goods and people has been a great achievement. But I really don't like the notion that everything in the EU has to be homogenised and standardised. More and more powers are being taken from the nation-states of Europe and if we're not careful we will no longer be an assocation of free countries but something closer to a well-meaning version of the USSR.

It's also a colossal waster of taxpayers' money. The European parliament has now recognised Irish Gaelic as an official language and will be spending money on interpreters, even though only ONE MEP is a native Gaelic speaker!

Answer 4

From a UK perspective the EU is an absolute bloody nightmare - before the floodgates of economic migrants opened so wide. The EU was started because all the mainland countries could'nt stop fighting. So why does the UK have to be part of a undemocratic institution that is being dragged down the level of its lowest members. Wait till turkey joins - I'm going to seek asylum in Canada (a non french bit).

Answer 5

Right, I'm irish, living in Ireland, and the EU has been very very good for Ireland. During the 1980s Ireland was poor, and as a result of all kinds of EU funding and grants (for infrastructure, education, agriculture, starting businesses, etc.) Ireland became quite rich and is now putting money back into the EU so that other countries who are trying to build up their economies (like Bulgaria and Romania) have the same chances.

As for immigration, well, I was one of thousands of Irish who lived and worked in Germany, France, the Netherlands, Britain, Spain, the US ... believe me, it was easier in the EU, simply because as a citizen of a member state, all I had to do was go to the foreign police in the Netherlands (where I lived the longest when living abroad) with my passport, tell them I wanted to stay there, and they advised me on what I needed to do. Yes, there is bureaucracy and red tape and it can be a bit irritating, but one of the things they do is check for a criminal record in another country, no bad thing, especially when the security of many states is under threat from terrorism right now.

The UK has the highest national debt in Europe, British people have to work and earn money in order to stay off the street, all it takes is one or two unscrupulous employers to fire British staff and take on foreigners for half the pay to do the same or even more work (I've seen that happen in Ireland as well) for British people to get nervous about their job security. No employer has the right to do that, so I would tell any British worker to get a copy of their employment contract in writing and keep a copy at home safe, so that if this does happen to them, they can prove that they were dismissed from their jobs because the boss wanted to make more money.

Answer 6

I get annoyed when people like Dr. Green, above, include me in " most people". I am happy to be in the EU. Most complaints that I here are that we as a successful country have to support the poorer countries and that is wrong. If we were not in the EU would we feel the same about poor areas in our own country?
Would we fail to give aid and support to inner city areas?
It's a case of "I'm all right jack". We are very wealthy and it seems to be no hardship to support the less wealthy.
Remember we haven't have a war in central Europe for quite a while now. Bit of a record for us!!!

Answer 7

I live in Poland. We entered the EU 2 years ago and it's been a really good decision, especially financially for my country - subsidies for agriculture, infrastructure, private enterprise really make a difference. Plus many unemployed Polish people could finally find jobs, though not in Poland. Of course, the EU can't work miracles, and it's also got disadvantages, but I'm happy about it. And the new countries - personally, I'm for!

Answer 8

The EU formally known as the EEC is a stain on all the countries of Europe. IT would be better if we all withdrew and reformed the Free European Trade agreements we previously had. The soon GB leaves the EU the better iot will be for us all.

Answer 9

Well I am from Ireland and I does not really bother me that I am in the Union one way or the other but one thing that p***es me off is the fact that there is a huge amount of people from poor countries (I know that the Irish were major immigrants to america ironic isn't it?)

Answer 10

No I dont like it. The rules and regulations passed are stringently enforced by the present government whilst europe ignors them. for instance, go to any continental fish market and see the undersized fish for sale while English fishermen are made to throw back dead fish if over quota or too small. We are also overrun by immigrants, some are genuine and welcome but the majority are economic migrants who do not work just sponge off us. No Europe Federalism is a big mistake and will lead to major problems in the future.