DANGER - the Anti-Constitution

The conclusion from an interesting post on EurSOC is quoted here:

The Lisbon treaty, however, could prove a step too far. There is no real precedent for what is being done, other than it would be safe to say that no country that has dismantled a constitutional democracy in favour of something else - even if ‘it seemed a good idea at the time’ - has ever escaped the unpleasant fate of draconian government or even war.

We should have learnt our lessons from the past. Those with the responsibility of building Europe and those in positions of power in national governments are taking an enormous risk on our behalf. Lets hope they have a Plan B as it is doubtful that there is a universal popular mandate for what the Lisbon Treaty represents.

Ultimately Europe cannot be built without its people. If constitutional change in this extreme form is forced upon them, then it will crumble: That is also a lesson from history. Bring Europeans along with you, discussing every step of the constitutional development, consulting (and not just with hand-picked NGOs, who rely on the EU for funding) and calling plebiscites when necessary, and the results will be very different.

Forcing through sneaky, ambiguous and confusing treaties that undermine the national democracies is not the way to make friends. A more open and more engaging approach would be appreciated by most, if not all Europeans. If this Europe has to be built, then let it be built on the fundamentals and standards that most Europeans expect: we are, are we not, free people?

Free! My foot.... the real questionnow is .....are we even anymore people? People, as in individuals with their own powers of reason? I think not!