Portugal can keep Lisbon
Grandad June 22nd, 2009
Here we go again.
Last year we held a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.
It was a democratic election, and the result was a rejection.
Our dear government said they respected that, so what did they do? They ignored the wishes of the people and are going for another referendum.
Once again, I will be voting NO, and here are my reasons -
The Lisbon Treaty is essentially a new European Constitution under a different name. That Constitution was already rejected by France and Holland, but they are not allowed a vote this time around, therefore the process is undemocratic.
The Lisbon Treaty has already been rejected by the people of Ireland and the very act of running a second referendum is flying in the face of democracy.
Arsewipe Biffo reckons that he has addressed my concerns with guarantees. Bollox. He has the arrogance to assume he knows my concerns, and in fact has addressed none of them. My concerns were nothing to do with neutrality, abortion or tax. My concerns were about the whole democratic process, and by holding another referendum he is confirming my worst fears.
Of course all my original reasons for rejection still stand.
In 1973 I voted to join the European Economic Community. I did not vote to join any political alliance that would try to dictate my laws, or interfere in any way [good or bad] in the running of my country. It was a community to promote trade and to reduce barriers, which was a good thing. The EEC became the EC without any vote or say on my part, and I resent that. It is politics by the back door.
This treaty has to be passed by all governments in Europe. It affects all countries. Yet Ireland is the only country that is getting a vote. Why? If it is so damn good, why are they afraid to let the people have their say? Because they know damn well that there isn’t a chance in hell that all countries would agree. Again this flies in the face of every democratic principle.
Why does this constitution treaty have to be passed? Because in their arrogance, they assumed we would all toe the line, and therefore they never even considered the possibility of a NO vote. To present a treaty and then to tell us we have to vote YES is once again, arrogant and undemocratic. It is making us all out to be sheep, and I resent that.
We are being told that this treaty is merely a tidying exercise, to make Brussels more democratic and accountable. If that is all it is, then why is it so fucking important that it be passed? I suspect, as do many others that there is far more to this treaty than they are saying. They have already admitted that the text has been deliberately obfuscated, and refuse to simplify the thing. I am deeply suspicious of this document and of the motives behind it.
Quite frankly, if this treaty were the best thing that ever happened to Ireland, I still maintain it should be rejected in the simple principle that democracy has been compromised, and the will of the people ignored.
Over the next four months we are going to be bombarded with propaganda, lies and threats.
We are going to be told that we have to vote YES as there is no alternative. My response to that is that they should have thought of an alternative in the first place.
We are going to be told that we cannot survive the current economic crisis without Europe. This too is a load of bollox, as we are in Europe and rejection will not change that fact.
We are going to be told that a rejection will introduce a two tier system and that we will be on the periphery. Again, this is a load of bollox. Rejection of the treaty means it is dead. It cannot be implemented so we all will be in the same boat.
We are going to hear mention of Iceland time and time again, which is a veiled threat and has no relevance to the treaty.
We are going to be cajoled by tales of ‘how good Europe has been to us’. Yes. It has been good, but are we supposed to renounce our democracy in a fit of obsequious gratitude? Anyway, all the benefits we have accrued have been through economic ties and have nothing to do with the politics they are trying to sneak in by the back door.
We will be told that we will no longer be respected by Europe. So fucking what? If we have to tug the forelock just to curry favour then European Democracy is rotten to the core. I am nailing my colours to the mast here, and doubtless will be lambasted for it. I don’t give a shite. I have my principles, and I will not under any circumstances compromise my beliefs just to be popular.
For hundreds of years, Ireland lay under the yoke of foreign rule. For those centuries, we told how to behave, how to speak and how to act. Having finally shaken off that foreign rule, are we once again going to lie down, roll over and be ordered around by faceless bureaucrats abroad?
Where are the patriots when you fucking need them?
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