[pp.int.general] results

[Reinier Bakels]

>    What is "the right direction?" Populists argue: "less Europe". I would 
> argue
>    that the EU is an unavoidable reality, so one should concentrate on a 
> proper
>    policy maing process, includiing a proper division of tasks between 
> memer
>    states and the Union. But that is exacly an aspect of "Lisbon".
>
> The constitution that admitted it was a constitution
> gave just a tiny bit more power to the parliament,
> and was essentially impossible to amend.  If the goal is to
> make the EU a democracy, it was an obstacle rather than a
> step in that direction.
>
> I do not know whether the Lisbon pseudo-constitution is any better,
> but I expect it is not, because the people who want this would not
> want something better.
>
> Nationalism is foolish, but it may have a beneficial effect in the EU.
> There is a tendency to support any European institution just because
> it is European, and this includes the European Patent Office and the
> EU Copyright Directive.  Nationalism can help overcome them.

I agree that the *substance* of the Lisbon treaty needs to be discussed. But 
that message is way too complicated for the average voter. He only thinks 
about *more* or *less* Europe.
Yes, the present European governamce structure is a paradise for "policy 
laundering" instigated by "intellectual property" lobbyists. But national 
parliaments do not work very well either if it comes to copyright, patent 
law etc. These subjects are perceived as "technical", and politicians all 
strive for public attention.
Perhaps if one manages to explain that "intellectual property" is a MUSLIM 
concept, it may help.
Perhaps a more serious proposal is to make the "IP" legislation process more 
visible. That is something that activists can do. I sincerely hop that 
Christian Engström manages to make lot of noise.
reinier