Funny thread is for ze funnies! Here's your corner for your economy debate.
Um, no heartmann.
We are a full member of the EU, we just didn't sign up to the Schengen Agreement because we didn't want to. Any other country in the EU could do the same.
Other countries in the EU have also not changed to the Euro, you don't have to if it won't benfit you. And it wouldn't benefit the UK because we have a shit economy. That's why the Germans do so well, they have a good economy.
It is absolutely nothing to do with country size whatsoever, any country could say no.
Being a 'full' member of the EU and being a part of the eurozone are two different things really. You can be a full member of the EU and have opted out of the Euro. (Although Denmark and the UK are the only two countries that have been granted this exception.) Not because of their size or importance, but mainly because all EU member states need to ratify a given treatment if a treaty is to go into effect for all. (Since the UK is traditionally stubborn when it comes to EU integration, they often have to sugarcoat the treaties or allow special 'rights' and/or 'exemptions' just for the UK) In the case of Denmark, Denmark insisted on ratifying the EMU treaty by referendum (Just like Ireland, they have to constitutionally, it's still a retarded idea since most people don't have a fucking clue none the less) and a referendums about increased EU integration always tend to turn bad. (As a result, Denmark too was given an opt out)
Mind you there's only 15/25 member states (not counting the 2 opt-outs) that have currently adopted the EURO. Eventually the remaining 10 will have to as well, but (especially with the current financial meltdown in mind) they will have to adhere to very strict financial & economic guidelines first.
In a new upcoming set-up of Europe with 'different speeds', there'll be groups of countries that can 'integrate' further without needing all 27 member states to agree. (Except on some sensitive subjects like military & finances) This way at least one stubborn member state (like the UK) can no longer block the entire EU integration process for everybody else.
I don't know about North America, but the Euro is only good for countries that have good economies, and is the real reason we never accepted it. We were going to, but we opted out at the last moment. We could still in fact, join whenever we wanted, but the fact is, we would actually lose money by doing so, as our economy is literally fucking awful. We don't make shit, so we have no hope at all of fixing it either.
But then you look at Germany, a big powerhouse of lots of different engineering fields, and it's no wonder they're so rich, and the Euro only adds to that.
Just because we don't make anything don't mean are economy is shit
Our economy is shit though Hants.
