bubble trouble for the euro

[kinell]

who still thinks that it is a good thing for many countries, each with different part governments, cultures, economies,work ethics and various other particular national requirements to share the same linked currency?

[bibblebub]

i didn't touch it

[JMR27]

I don't think the Euro or the EU itself was ever a good thing and I'm sure it will eventually disintegrate just as the Soviet Union did.

[boxtops]

I never did think it was a good thing.

[Buenchico]

I'm a Europhile, believing strongly in the creation of a single European country (not a federal system) with the abolition of national governments and direct rule from Brussels. I refuse to call myself either 'English' or 'British' (except when officialdom demands it); I'm 'European' and proud of it. (I also refuse to stand for an anthem which calls upon a god I don't believe in to 'save' a queen whom I refuse to recognise. However I'll always stand for 'Ode to Joy').

So, probably unsurprisingly, I'm in favour of the Euro. The current situation is a measure of its strength, not of its weakness. Because of their common currency, Greece is able to call upon the support of other Euro-zone countries, as Ireland or Portugal may still have to do. But who's going to help the UK (with its independent currency) as we lurch towards national bankruptcy?

Chris

[modeller]

The Romans tried to have a one size fits all and it collapsed.
Charlmagne tried
The Holy Roman Empire tried
Napoleon tried
The EU is trying .
The one thing that is common to all these failed efforts they were trying to impose a common system on 26 different cultures, economies, religions, history , climates, languages. It can't be done.

[R1Geezer]

best sod off to Brussells then Chris, you seem to be a worm in Bleach here, surprised you can stand it.

[jno]

the USA managed it. The real problem may be not the differences you list, but language.

Chris, I sort of hope you're right, but it's hard to be certain. Greece is one of the least of the euro countries and yet it's got the whole zone in a tizz; it's not a given that the bailout will succeed. What would happen if a bigger country got into difficulties?

[New Judge]

Chris, it's precisely because the UK is not in EuroLand that it has been able to weather the storm. Had we been using the Euro we coud not have devalued our currency (as Greece and the other "PIGS" would like to).

[jno]

NewJudge, the storm hsn't even looked in our direction yet; but it may. We are closely tied to Europe as a major trading partner; if they weaken, we weaken. But for a while you may get more euros for your pounds when you holiday in Europe; and I'm about to try it.

[Gromit]

jno

You were supposed to Easy-Jet the other week, has that been re-scheduled?