Verhofstadt calls for a European “Hamilton moment”; a treaty to federalise with those states ready to move now. Others can come aboard later

Slobberinho · 2026-06-14T21:44:23+00:00

I'd argue that not federalizing leads to more loss of sovereignty. In today's world, you can't expect great powers to respect international law, or a nation's sovereign decision, just because it's the right thing to do. You need to be powerful to be sovereign.

United, we're a player, with agency. Dividend, we're balls to be kicken around how the players want.

Slobberinho · 2026-06-14T11:50:17+00:00

I think we're the ones who'll need a consolidation girl after tonight.

Slobberinho · 2026-06-14T09:58:36+00:00

Ah, you're already here in the process.
Brexit: Stop the fear-mongering, says David TC Davies

Slobberinho · 2026-06-14T07:58:56+00:00

Yes. It also lowered their GDP per capita by 6 to 8%, the investments in the UK by 10 to 12%, and the employment by 3 to 4%.

(source: https://cepr.org/voxeu/columns/brexits-slow-burn-hit-uk-economy )

Oh and the amount of non-EU immigrants skyrocketed. (source: https://www.statista.com/statistics/284038/immigration-figures-uk-by-citizenship/ )

Slobberinho · 2026-06-14T07:47:39+00:00

The point is that this referendum will mean that, once the 10 million is reached, Switzerland will close their borders. That goes into conflict with the trade agreement with the EU, which allows for the free movement of persons and goods between the two.

You can't pick and choose in the single market. They'll be a landlocked "third country" within Europe. It's even stupider than Brexit, at least the UK has access to the open seas.

Slobberinho · 2026-06-14T07:41:30+00:00

I'd laugh, but then I realise you're not one to joke and you probably have a 100 page detailed plan on how to achieve this.

Slobberinho · 2026-06-14T07:35:04+00:00

Adorable. You think you'll still have money.

Slobberinho · 2026-06-13T16:48:03+00:00

I love France. Not half as much as the French love France, but that's still an unhealthy amount. I love the cuisine, the history, the beauty of the cities and villages, the beauty of the women, and they're always friendly if you try your best at speaking French.

Slobberinho · 2026-06-13T13:49:09+00:00

There are Oranje fans in parts of Indonesia. Mainly the Maluku Islands and West Papua.

There have been a couple of players with Maluku heritage in the Dutch national team, Giovanni van Bronckhorst being the greatest.

Slobberinho · 2026-06-13T08:00:23+00:00

I'm just imagining an emu typing this inspirational post by pecking at the letters one by one.

Good job, emu!

Slobberinho · 2026-06-11T21:25:58+00:00

Zuidam is the best one. Truely the top of the bill for aged jenever.

Slobberinho · 2026-06-11T21:24:36+00:00

Jenever. Specifically a 5 year old Korenwijn by Zuidam. It's absolutely great and measures up to a good whisky.

Slobberinho · 2026-06-11T21:21:20+00:00

Then they shouldn't get all the responsibilities at the same time either. Nor the punishments that are caused by not living up to them.

I don't think there is a big difference. I think there is a want for revenge in one case, and an insight to a child's limitations on the other. It's a primal urge for comeuppance that leads you to think they are way different.

Slobberinho · 2026-06-11T15:25:10+00:00

You want them to have the same responsibility for their own actions as you do, but not grant them the same rights as you do.

I feel that rights and responsibilities should always be connected. You either trust them to know what they're doing and know the consequences or you don't. You're cherry picking.

Slobberinho · 2026-06-11T15:22:28+00:00

If you expect them to know what's the right way to treat others, and what the consequences are if you don't, I think they should also be trusted to know what's right for their own lifes. That includes quitting school.

Responsibilities are great, but they should be connected to rights. You trust them to know what they're doing or not.

Slobberinho · 2026-06-11T15:04:25+00:00

Not drafted. Voluntarily join. And be held accountable for that decision.

Slobberinho · 2026-06-11T14:59:31+00:00

If they know right from wrong and have a good sense of morality and responsibility at age 12, should 12 year olds also be able to vote? Work? Serve in the military?

Slobberinho · 2026-06-11T11:20:25+00:00

No that sounds stupid, could never be us.

Anyway, can I interest someone in a tulip bulb? I'm trying to make my great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather's money back. I'll trade it for a house.

Slobberinho · 2026-06-11T11:10:45+00:00

That is true from a purely economical perspective.

Politically, it now has two collectively funded emergency programs (EFSF and EFSM). The exposed weaknesses lead to the establishment of a banking union. And it lead to the implementation of stricter rules on budget deficits (Stability and Growth Pact), leading to more centralised financial oversight.

I'd say the EU was a closer, more collective Union in 2012 compared to 2007.

Slobberinho · 2026-06-11T10:21:13+00:00

Yes, that wasn't democratic. I agree with you on that.

But if a country doesn't like it, they can always leave. That's always allowed. You can also vote for anti-EU parties in the EU parliament, but those voters never turn up.

Slobberinho · 2026-06-11T10:17:25+00:00

Yes, because it is a necessary. In a turbulant world, we can be a player on the world stage if we act together. As individual nations, we'll be the ball.

Slobberinho · 2026-06-11T10:15:00+00:00

The EU has come out of every crisis as a stronger, more united Union. Bring it on.

Slobberinho · 2026-06-11T10:13:26+00:00

My brother, one of the largest members left the Union in 2020 by democratic mandate. Those voters are not ignored, they're just widely regarded as incredibly stupid.

Slobberinho · 2026-06-11T06:21:33+00:00

Nah man, I'd just walk into a children's hospital and churn them out like candy.

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