The Euro Crisis is, in its current form, over one year old, even though we could probably say that the origins lie way back when the Maastricht treaty was signed; the Treaty that set out the steps to introduce one single currency for the EU.
Let me be clear, I believe in the idea of the European Union, in the idea of the Euro (as much as I believe in the idea of the UN and the World Bank ...). The idea and vision are often sublime. The implementation of a sublime idea of course is so much harder. Especially if it involves 27, 17 (or in the case of the UN 209 countries, or are we 210 in the meantime?). So patience is definitely needed. In the end though, I believe, that cooperation makes us all stronger, whether it is as individuals, regions, countries, nations or world citizens.
So, the Euro: to save or not to save, that is the question. I say YES (gut-feeling)! I know others say NO! Or maybe ... And that is OK. What is not OK is the current state in which no one of the 17 leaders of the countries that have the Euro dares to stand up and say what it takes to keep the Euro, or costs to leave it (as well as the benefits of both options - the glass is always half full, right?). Maybe, there is no easy answer, so forgive my simplification below.
Here is how I see it. To keep the Euro, the countries involved have to give up some independence (or maybe a lot, after all we are talking about financial independence). We get back, wealth in one form or another (maybe some countries relatively more than others). To leave the Euro and return back to our respective currencies, we will not have to give up that financial independence but what we get back is less wealth.
Interestingly enough, if you know me a bit, you know I care way less about wealth (especially money) than freedom. So you would guess I would go for giving up the Euro, but no, when I talk about the wealth we gain, it is way more than money, it is about peace, stability, cooperation, and solidarity. I believe that together as one, we can achieve more. I love being part of what is Europe (and that includes the single currency). And, on a practical level, I love not having to change money at the border.
I am not an expert on all the Economics one needs to understand all that is going on (even though I did pass micro-, macro-, and monetary economics at SAIS) but one thing is clear to me, if you want a single currency, you need one budget and you need one institution checking whether we all stick to the budget. We all need to pay our taxes, not some people and others not. And again, someONE needs to make sure that happens.
I know some of you will say, for the Euro to be strong we should have never let some countries in (and should have waited until they were really ready). Fair point, but too late.
Our leaders tell us we have a responsibility, to find a job, to be a responsible citizen, so here I am wondering what happened to their responsibility and LEAD? To make sure they do what is best for Dutch society? Because my guess is ... that is not what they are doing right now.
While I am writing about the Euro Crisis, I think my American friends might have similar feelings regarding their debt crisis.
On a positive note, it looks like as of yesterday, one of the coalition parties in my country's government is finally starting to move to tell the truth about what needs to be done to save the Euro. I am still patiently waiting as things in a democracy take time (and you all know how patient I am ... not) and then of course the next step will be for the Germans to start telling the truth (about saving the Euro or not saving the Euro) and the French and ...
Maybe this is a call to arms although I am not sure what "arms" as I am still wondering how to make my voice be heard. Maybe writing this post is one thing but then, what's next? Maybe my aunt Rita has an idea??
I want our politicians to tell me we have a choice, to explain to me what that choice entails and then to LEAD me to what the best choice for our common society would be. THAT is what I elected them to do. That is what my taxes pay them for. Can the real leader please stand up?
I will finish with the preamble of the Maastricht Treaty (or Treaty on the European Union) which encloses a vision I support and which all politicians should have in mind when making decisions in our common interest. It is long but worth the read.
"RESOLVED to mark a new stage in the process of European integration undertaken with the establishment of the European Communities,
RECALLING the historic importance of the ending of the division of the European continent and the need to create firm bases for the construction of the future Europe,
CONFIRMING their attachment to the principles of liberty, democracy and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and of the rule of law,
DESIRING to deepen the solidarity between their peoples while respecting their history, their culture and their traditions,
DESIRING to enhance further the democratic and efficient functioning of the institutions so as to enable them better to carry out, within a single institutional framework, the tasks entrusted to them,
RESOLVED to achieve the strengthening and the convergence of their economies and to establish an economic and monetary union including, in accordance with the provisions of this Treaty, a single and stable currency,
DETERMINED to promote economic and social progress for their peoples, within the context of the accomplishment of the internal market and of reinforced cohesion and environmental protection, and to implement policies ensuring that advances in economic integration are accompanied by parallel progress in other fields,
RESOLVED to establish a citizenship common to nationals of their countries,
RESOLVED to implement a common foreign and security policy including the eventual framing of a common defence policy, which might in time lead to a common defence, thereby reinforcing the European identity and its independence in order to promote peace, security and progress in Europe and in the world,
REAFFIRMING their objective to facilitate the free movement of persons, while ensuring the safety and security of their peoples, by including provisions on justice and home affairs in this Treaty,
RESOLVED to continue the process of creating an ever closer union among the peoples of Europe, in which decisions are taken as closely as possible to the citizen in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity,
IN VIEW of further steps to be taken in order to advance European integration,
HAVE DECIDED to establish a European Union [...]"
I hope this inspires some if not all of us.
I also just thought about how I will let my voice be heard. The same way you receive a link to this blog, I'll send it to all the political parties in my country.
Have a good week,
Rose
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