'Is it time to ditch the pound?' poll results/discussion

daiphoenix

@brianw.mail
I did reuse the terms "little britains" and europhobe in my post, mainly because many of the posts in the very beginning of this thread were simply ridiculous.
But more importantly my name calling does not invalidate the arguments I presented. If you can't see beyond that, then you really don't know how to argue.

Speaking of arguing, I must say that MikeH99 did post some very good and insightful arguments against the euro. (I hope I have time to reply in debt in the future). If the other anti-euro posts had been as this one, I'm sure there would have been little or no name-calling, at least from my part. (I do plan to continue using the europhobe term though).

Anyways, back to the issue. Let me just reply something to brianw.mail's comments. You said that "We have fought over centuries for the right of each individual, each family, to have their own lives free from unnecessary interference". That is true of many other countries as well. But such fights for freedom were usually fought with the intention of gaining more justice and *prosperity* for one's own people, as their were usually enslaved, repressed or misrepresented. I doubt many revolutions were made purely so that you could have your own flag and a national anthem.
Again, if I have the choice between the more prosperity in a country and a loss of a very little bit of sovereignty, my choice is clear, I go for prosperity. If you prefer "national pride and integrity", to that, well it's your opinion and you are entitled to it (even if I disagree). But say it honestly then! What I don't tolerate and won't have any respect for is those who share that same opinion personally, but try to twist and misrepresent the purely economical aspect of issue to their own benefit.

BTW: "European nations even now have less right to make laws which protect the unique rights of their own peoples than the states which make up the USA,", this phrase might have some truth to it if read strictly literally (even though I doubt it), but your implication that EU nations have less sovereignty than US states is utterly ridiculous!... I mean, civil rights, freedom of speech, abortion rights, going to war, military draft, prostitution & drug legality, etc, etc., in all these things and more do EU nations have much more authority than US states, that I don't even know why I bothered wasting my time arguing with such as outlandish insinuation...

Asaad

Defo no to the Euro.. yes the value of the pound may be low at the moment but once the economy starts pickin up (bit of optimism) the pounds value will start to increase.. and b bk to where it belongs above the Euro and above the Dollar... Keep the good old british pound i say :T

MarkLS12

neblett wrote: »

Hmmmm, I realise I am not the most intelligent person on this planet, but aren't urban myths supposed to be things that DON'T really happen???

This DID happen, I was there, I saw the wage slips and the bank statements!!! (please take note Mr Sage)

The exchange rate from DM to Euro was 1.95583 DM : 1 EURO

So if you used to be paid 2,500DM a month, after conversion it would be €1278.23
But you were still paid the same amount, just in a different denomination.

It's like 40km might sound like it's further than 25miles but they are about the same.

I'm sure than plenty of things that used to cost 10DM would have cost €5 after changeover as retailers round their prices.

rickbonar

daiphoenix wrote: »

For all those those that argue that joining the euro would lead to a rise in prices. Well, that is probably true, but that is just an initial cost due to the adaption. The prices may never go back to what they were, but eventually the economy adapts and stabilizes. When you quit smoking you also have a very hard time adapting, and suffer a lot in the beginning, but it doesn't mean it's not worth on the long run.


Do you have any references to back that up? Or are you just pulling that comments out of thin air (I wanted to use another word here...)?


Well for *all* the people I've spoken to (mostly Portuguese people, some Spaniards, and some Irish) none consider getting out of the a Euro a serious measure in any way whatsoever.
This all just shows that such anecdotal evidence is just plain crap. I would be very surprised if there were any significant portion of the population in favor of pulling out of the Euro in any of those countries. If you think not, then back it up with something. articles, polls, references, etc.?

Next you go to the continent ask the locals. Be honest and tell us their opinions.


Why won't the government let the UK vote on whether to adopt the Euro? This was promised by Tony Blair.


How about voting to stay or leave Europe on the same ballot?

David_Cd

This has been a really interesting thread, I've enjoyed reading it.

The trouble is I can't help feeling that none of us will have any say whether we keep the pound or adopt the Euro. Our "masters" will be deciding this for us, as usual.

Smellderosses

Can anyone imagine what it would be like to live in America where each State has their own currency? We ARE in Europe now and why it was ever left that we had the choice whether or not to adopt the Euro when it was to be introduced defies logic. We seem to be so indecisive when it comes to change: we still have pounds and ounces with Kilograms, feet, inches and Meters, pints and litres. Sizing for clothes are an absolute nightmare so if we must insist on being so pathetically individual and cling onto every single bit of the past; claiming that it's an erosion of our identity, do we really want to be seen for who we are: a huge bunch of confused people that hold endless and pointless debates about what should be? If we have to hold up our money to give us an identity, why not simply keep a picture of the Queen in our wallets and at least move into the 19th century: it would be a start. On the other hand, perhaps die-hards would like to consider every parish council having their own currency, weights and measures?

The strength of "our pound" can no longer rely on manufacturing and we ARE in a global economy, like it or not (unless everyone wants to start sheep herding and growing potatoes again). Skip joining the Euro and bring on a world currency I say. Move on!!!