After watching the news this morning about how France see's us as close allies and friends, but feel deeply concerned about your relationship with America, it got me thinking:

When i was younger I used to believe we should move further apart from Europe (diplomatically speak of course) and closer to America, seeming as we have more in common with them. But now i'm thinking the opposite. i think we have more to gain by being part of Europe. They have better culture. Seem to have a better outlook on life and i personally think there is allot we can learn by following their lead.

But if you had to choose between the two, which side of the ocean would you rather ally yourselves with?

i noticed the 1st two votes have been for america. is there any reasons why?

Although I'm not enthralled in America, I find it much more familiar to me than most of Europe.

i must admit we've seem to have taken soo much from the americans (fast food, hollywood, fasion, etc) its sometimes feels like we're an extention of the USA. Which i must, admit bothers me a little

Cant stand french, cant stand americans

 

I stand firm in good old Britain.

QUOTE (Mr_Happy @ Apr 6 2004, 00:30)

i must admit we've seem to have taken soo much from the americans (fast food, hollywood, fasion, etc) its sometimes feels like we're an extention of the USA. Which i must, admit bothers me a little

why does it bother you? britain has always had more in common with america than it does with europe.

 

i firmly believe and hope that that the curent american dictator will be out on his arse at the next election and then things will be back to "normal"

QUOTE (Mr_Happy @ Apr 5 2004, 23:55)

I used to believe we should move further apart from Europe

Well the UK isn't very big. Maybe if we all grab an oar and more to the coastline, we can start rowing...?

 

QUOTE

(diplomatically speak of course)

Ahh.

 

QUOTE

Europe. They have better culture.

I.e. they have a culture.

 

Seriously though, I don't know where I stand on this one. I don't think I'd resent our affiliation with America so much if that redneck twat wasn't in charge. At least most European leaders seem to have some principles (as opposed to self-interest).

QUOTE (Capn_Jack @ Apr 6 2004, 00:24)

Although I'm not enthralled in America, I find it much more familiar to me than most of Europe.

because of the language, and there are probably more mcdonalds in the states than europe?

 

(this comment isn't meant quite as flippantly as it might come across)

i dont really like the idea of being with either, but if i had to pick it would be europe, probably swayed by my feelings towards the average american tho (not all)

 

anway my reasons for not really wanting either is, because i dont believe the people in charge are doing things for the greater good, everything seems to have a reward in it for them, also they cant seem to understand that people have different mind sets, and dont see things the same way as we do.

QUOTE (nuthead53 @ Apr 6 2004, 18:37)

i dont really like the idea of being with either, but if i had to pick it would be europe, probably swayed by my feelings towards the average american tho (not all) anway my reasons for not really wanting either is, because i dont believe the people in charge are doing things for the greater good, everything seems to have a reward in it for them, also they cant seem to understand that people have different mind sets, and dont see things the same way as we do.

dude no one wearing a tie has a clue what to do.

 

go with whoever promises cheaper petrol.

I'd have to say Europe - and I've always been of that mind. In Europe, we'd have more of a say than in America. In Europe, I feel that things would be run much more democratically for all European citizens. We've all seen how "diplomatic" America is time after time. Lest not the "election" of George W. Bush.

 

We may have imported many things from the States in culture, economics and lifestyle, but America has far too many right-wing ideas for my liking. Europe seems more middle-of-the-road/slightly-to-the-left, and therefore closer to my own personal beliefs.

QUOTE (Phil rr @ Apr 6 2004, 10:51)

go with whoever promises cheaper petrol.

that's a big part of the reason the US is so messed up these days...

 

alasdair

QUOTE (Phil rr @ Apr 6 2004, 18:03)

QUOTE (Capn_Jack @ Apr 6 2004, 00:24) Although I'm not enthralled in America, I find it much more familiar to me than most of Europe. because of the language, and there are probably more mcdonalds in the states than europe?   (this comment isn't meant quite as flippantly as it might come across) The culture, language (albeit with it's own versions of english words), food and some beliefs.

I'd have no problems with the relationship we have with America if Dubya wasn't in charge. When Clinton was in power, the countries worked extremely well together and nobody seemed to mind. It's just that due to the "special relationship" and that redneck twat in charge we're being drawn into things that aren't in our interests (or the rest of the world) just to maintain the relationship.

 

I think the politics in a lot of the European countries is far too polarised. France seem to be very militant socialist and will strike at the drop of the hat and seem very keen to centralise power which will be awful for such a large area with so many different economies and traditions. I'm not against a federal europe but I am against power being too centralised where Brussels would have more control over the micromanagement of our country than we do. A US system of states where we can set our own laws, taxes would suit better.

if we were in europe, we would have to be nice to the french.