"It’s just too bureaucratic, too big. The EU and the people are too far apart,” a grey-haired woman said as she scuttled along the cobbled pedestrian streets, lined with traditional Dutch gabled houses. “It gets bigger, bigger, bigger.”"I figure that this sums the sentiment of the Dutch towards the EU pretty well. The one thing that is true about The Netherlands is that they have a really strong libertarian streak, just look at the extensive legalization of drugs, prostitution and Lord knows what else. This libertarian streak also applies to their view on the size of government. Like the grey-haired lady, there is a large section of the Dutch people who don't like the creeping leviathan of the EU. The mere thought of a supernational entity like the EU controlling all facets of Dutch society is something that the people can't fathom thus explaining why a majority of its people are willing to vote "no" against the EU constitution on June 1, 2005. So this summer, it looks like the battle over the EU constitution will be something to watch. I hope the people of Holland demonstrate their true feelings of this hunking super-state.
I just want you to mull over the thoughts of one Dutch politician on the possible "no" vote. The politician noted this great line:
“
"If Britain rejects the constitution, Britain has a problem. But, if the Netherlands rejects the constitution, then the constitution has a problem.”"I'm starting to love the plain-spoken nature of the Dutch. The national gov't might have an "Old Europe" mentality but there's a large silent majority of "New European" ideas rising to the challenge. Come June 1st, we'll see.
No comments:
Post a Comment