You thought that Adolf Hitler was the last deranged German who thought he had the power to fully integrate Europe? Think again. Meet Martin Schulz the President of the European Parliament and this week’s prize EU loon of the week. It is hard to know where to start but how about with a press release out today as we prepare to mark “International Day of Democracy” which – in case you missed it is tomorrow.
Hitler. Ooops sorry Schulz starts off with “The renewed democratic momentum, which we have witnessed in the course of this past year, has confirmed what we in the European Parliament have always held to be true: People around the world want to live in a democracy. They want to choose their government, be able to express their opinions, and have opportunities to participate in economic and political life. They want elected representatives that hold those in power to account. They want a framework that ensures the rule of law and justice for all.
We see it so clearly in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya with the first fair, genuine elections for decades, and in gradual reforms in many of the countries of the region. “
Has this loon been watching TV recently? Or has he been helping himself to too much of the Evil Empire’s wine lake? It strikes me that Egypt and Libya (and anywhere else that the EU and US has stuck its nose in, across the Middle East) are not exactly heading the right way. Given the choice between multi-party democracy and a progressive free speech and civil rights agenda and free speech or living in an Islamofascist hell hole where US officials get butchered, gays are hung, Jews vilified and a one party theocracy established, they seem rather keen on the latter.
But back to Hitler, oops sorry Schulz, and his views on the Evil Empire. That flagship of democracy where folks are sometimes allowed referenda but if they vote the wrong way they have to vote again.
“The European Parliament is reaching out to parliaments in our neighbourhood and beyond, helping build strong parliamentary institutions which are necessary for public debate and for people’s representatives effectively to do what citizens expect from them. Our citizens expect to have their interests and needs duly reflected in the responses we offer to the economic crisis.”
Reaching out? So that would be by the EU imposing 50% of the new laws enacted in the UK on us without us having any veto would it be?
But back to the economic crises. The Kraut bangs on:
“Power of the people must always prevail over the power of the markets. The response to the crisis has been a challenge, not only in economic and social terms but also for democracy and more particularly parliaments in Europe. Europeans want their elected representatives to be more closely involved in developing the response to the crisis. Citizens expect the European Union to deliver. They expect bold steps from strong European institutions. In that, more than before, our citizens count on us, Members of the European Parliament, to make their voice heard.”
So if the people of Greece vote for crooks who are happy to spend more than they can afford you are okay with that Herr Schultz? Really?
Sadly this nonsense goes on…
‘Dialogue and inclusiveness’ is the theme of this year’s International Day of Democracy. These are the key ingredients of a political culture based on tolerance and mutual respect. Dialogue between different political forces and dialogue between politicians and citizens are essential in finding effective solutions. And democratic politicians must ensure that conflict and competition amongst us respect basic rules and do not erode the institutions and the trust that citizens put in them.
Hell’s teeth we would never want to risk eroding the trust that we all have in the European Parliament would we? That would be dreadful. But we are in safe hands with Martin, who continues…
“I would like to encourage all Members of Parliament and all Europeans to take the International Day of Democracy, which we celebrate this Saturday, as an invitation to engage in dialogue about the state of democracy and how we can jointly overcome the problems we are currently facing. We should remember that democracy thrives on participation and is threatened by apathy, fear and intolerance as much as it may be by economic challenges. We must not take democracy for granted.“
And Schultz then makes his own contribution to that debate with a call for far deeper integration within the EU which means more powers taken away from member states and transferred to Brussels. To folks like him.
My contribution for tomorrow: “Dear David Cameron. Can we please have an immediate referendum on whether we wish to stay part of the Evil Empire as it moves to ever deeper integration or whether we want our sovereignty back?”