In a joint statement, President Jacques Chirac and Germany’s Gerhard Schroeder said the EU text, which faces growing opposition in France, marks a "major step" in Europe’s efforts to come together politically.
The two leaders, who have long worked closely together, "reaffirmed their conviction that implementation of the constitutional treaty will be an important step to confirm Europe’s weight on the international scene and to reinforce its capacity to act in the service of peace and security."
First, they wouldn’t know security unless it bit them in the ass. Which, based on the growing Islamic population, may very well do just that. 2nd:
France and Germany portray themselves as the motors of European integration. But both are also plagued with high unemployment and slow economic growth — factors that French opponents of the treaty have capitalized on to shout down the text.
Let’s not sugar coat this. From a post of mine on March 6th:
Germany has an unemployment rate of 12.6%, and France’s crept up to 10%. Compare that to the US rate of 5.4%. And with the economic growth rate at an estimated 1% and 1.8% for Germany and France, respectively, neither country is expecting their jobs situation to improve. Compare that to an estimated 3.9% growth rate for the United States. I know where I want to live. Add that the EU intentionally limits economic growth to level the European playing field, and the prospects look poor.
Gee, you would think CNN could have added how bad it is in Germany and France.
