You've been living in Europe for what ... a year and they've turned you into Adolf Hitler already.
Still haven't got the hang of counting?
No it bloody well isn't. You are so ignorant. The Netherlands is culturally Dutch reformed (protestant) and the Flemings and Walloons ... now Belgians ... were Catholics. The Walloons didn't want to be ruled by a bunch of Protestants. They wanted to join up with their Catholic brethren to the south and so the FOUGHT A WAR for their independence!
The Walloons are the southern half of Belgium, not the northern half. While it may have been true once that religious differences were the most important factor to most people, the Netherlands is now majority irreligious with more Catholics than Protestants. Other than religion, Flanders shares a language and culture with the Dutch but not with the Walloons, which is why there is a strong Flemish nationalist movement today.
Christ on a bike. The Protestant Irish in the North felt they had more in common with the English, than with the Catholics in the south. Are you seeing a pattern yet? They voted by a landslide to remain part of the UK, when the Republic left. Their choice.
They felt they had more in common with the English because the English
planted them there to ensure dominance. Even so, they make up barely a majority of the population of Northern Ireland today, and they are easily a minority on the island of Ireland, which should never have been partitioned in the first place.
Catalonia doesn't belong to Spanish culture,
Interesting. All Catholic, all speak Spanish ... all in Spain. Are you trying to offend as many people in one post as is possible?
Spanish is not their first language. If we're counting a second language imposed upon a group as identifying their culture, why did you vote to leave the EU? More Europeans speak English than any other language.
Of course they're all in Spain. If they weren't in Spain, they wouldn't be an example of nation-states not aligning with national identity.
Frisia doesn't belong to Dutch culture,
Besides actually being in the middle of a bunch of Dutch states and all the people speaking Dutch.
Once again, not as their native language.
There are Germans in Italy, Hungarians in Serbia and Russians in Latvia, alongside many more examples, but I think my point is clear.
That because people move around, nation states should be abolished? Better idea ... how about we stop all this immigration. It seems to lead to invasive populations demanding unreasonable changes upon the indigenous inhabitants.
I am not talking about recent migrations, I am talking about established communities that, in many cases, pre-date the formation of the nation-states you so love.
In principle, some of these have straightforward solutions,
I'll concede that the slaughter of all the people who oppose your ideas seems reasonably straightforward.
That doesn't sound straightforward at all, no. Why would you bring it up?
The nation state has functioned just great for thousands of years. It is hardly impossible to achieve. Any map you care to look at has borders and nations. In fact ... almost everyone on earth lives in a nation and not some other kind of organisation. It's a system that works.
The nation-state hasn't even
existed for thousands of years. It is a modern invention, accompanying the rise of Western democracy. For most of recorded history, Europeans were ruled by whoever had the mightiest sword, which is why England has had
French,
Spanish,
Dutch and
German kings over the centuries.
So doesn't work for the US, doesn't work for australia ...
I didn't say it doesn't work there. Both of those federations have significant problems, but they also provide substantial benefits to everyone involved.
but will be a dead cert for success in Europe where millions of people with around 40 languages will all be part of the same superstate and literally no one will be offended at having fought wars for independence to be lumped in under German rule.
Germany has 19% of the population of the EU. I know you're having trouble counting today, but 19% is significantly less than the 50% needed for them to "rule" a democracy.
We don't accept it is impossible. I live in one. One that has not been invaded for over 1000 years.
Wrong again, even if we ignore the fact that your country has only existed for
a little over 200 years.
World champions of war and empire. One with a Queen which we like.
Glad someone does. She's also the queen of Australia and we all think she's a bad joke.
Why do you like the idea of Europeans killing each other so much?
Oh dear. It's not just counting, is it? Is it really this much of a struggle to read?
I thought you said Europe had the best democracy in the world. That doesn't sound very fair.
I guess reading must be difficult for you, then. I never said that.
Think about the current football tournament. Run by UEFA. Or the Eurovision song contest. Do either of these two stop at Europe?
Israel and Azerbaijan will be part of the EU in no time and then deals will be struck for all kinds of shenanigans. If the Aussies can be in the Eurovision, I see no reason why Germany wouldn't want them bending the knee in the EU too.
Indeed, a song contest is entirely comparable to a political union with the power to make fiscal, trade, immigration and foreign policy decisions. Bravo.
My prediction ... Australia will be part of the EU by 2040. The EU is just a trade deal that takes your sovereignty. I can't see Aussie politicians having any backbone to stop that.
Oh dear, we're back to the "trade deal" nonsense. If you're going to come bleating through every thread I make about the EU, can you at least try to learn about what it is?
He is suggesting the UK (my country) gets broken up to achieve his federalist dream.
What happened to not caring about Northern Ireland?