Going Through The Motions

Another referendum was announced today, much to the horror of the Brussels elite. As usual, such an event merits a special mention on Mighty Democracy.

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The Republic of Ireland will ask the people if they agree with the latest European ‘fiscal union’ treaty, designed to reinforce the Stability and Growth pact, with stricter rules and penalties for nation states in non-compliance. The treaty also includes a pledge to ‘accelerate’ the ratification of the ESM treaty, which gives the EU the power to demand funds from national treasuries for the purpose of ‘stabilising’ of the Euro.

Interestingly, the Stability and Growth pact has been in existence since the Maastricht Treaty of 1993, but many EU member states have simply ignored the debt and budget deficit criteria. The latest treaty seeks to enforce the criteria with the threat of fines, and barred access to ESM funds.

The treaty had been sold as a method of solving the current crisis, when it actually does nothing of the sort. It makes no sense to impose fines on countries that fail to meet the criteria as these countries that are in debt insolvency, such as Greece, are cut out of the bond markets. Therefore in order to pay the fines, the EU will have to lend them the money!

But the treaty was never about economics. It is all just a stepping stone to full fiscal union, and the creation of a single European state. With the ratification of the ESM and the latest fiscal ‘pact,’ the role of national governments with regard to tax and spend decision making will be slowly phased out and the EU will take more control.

Without fiscal union, the Euro will surely fail, so it is therefore little surprise that the EU elites have chosen this route. Given the treaty’s incompatibility with democracy, it also comes as little surprise that they have tried to avoid referendums at all costs. Nonetheless, the plucky people of Ireland have continued to be a thorn in the EU’s side. 

First Minister of Ireland Enda Kenny

So let us see how they vote; if they vote that is. The last EU related referendum announced by George Papandreou in response to Greek protests to their most recent bailout decision was met with swift retribution. Papandreou was quickly removed from office and replaced by a loyal Eurocrat. 

Ireland’s Taoiseach Enda Kenny has made a noble decision, despite committing himself to the treaty’s ratification, earlier today describing the Euro as “a fundamental pillar of our economic and jobs strategy.” 

The people of Ireland have a difficult choice ahead of them, and will have a hard time separating the truth from the lies. The pro-EU political elites in Ireland will no doubt run their campaign based on ‘jobs and growth,’ as if abolishing Irish democracy is the only way to economic recovery. They did the same thing last time for the Lisbon referenda. 

A YES vote, will keep the ball rolling and the crisis will continue on its path to more centralised economic governance and social unrest. A NO vote will put a small stone in the works, and give strength to the campaigners that put freedom and democracy above the survival of the Euro. 

Given the EU’s open contempt for referendum results, and its experience in dealing with Ireland, it is highly unlikely that the outcome of the referendum will have any real impact. It is however, a chance for the people to have their say, which they should take full advantage of. 

European governance is finally at the heart of the public debate and this referendum gives people a chance to fully discuss the importance of national sovereignty as well as the pros, cons and alternatives to the huge upward transferral of power that they are poised to undertake in the near future.

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In the broadcast below, Kenny states that the treaty is "a crucial element of what needs to be done." Well, let us hope the people of Ireland can have an open debate and understand that they do still  have a choice - democracy, or the Euro.