RE: Euro nations

I don’t think you can compare regional differences within a country to international differences between countries. Regions have a lot more in common than countries do.

Also, the entire EU is undemocratic and corrupt. It absolutely has to be reformed before I would even think about closer links. As a tabloid once said – “Up Yours, Delors!”

The point about the Bank of England being comparble, accountability wise, to the ECB is incorrect. The Governor (Eddie George) is appointed by elected officials. A poorly performing Bank of England reflects badly on the Chancellor, hence there is strong indirect accountability. Not so with the ECB. Who the hell chose Wim Duisenberg?

Going back to my second paragraph, I find it quite silly that people are prepared to vote to get rid of democracy by ceding powers from a directly elected body to a corrupt mess in Brussels, Strasbourg etc..

RE: Sociological question

It’s all quite amusing when you consider how inbred Europeans are!

The British are a mongrel race of Germans, French, Norse…I’m sure you could also argue Italian!

And Germany is only a fairly new country!

An Austrian client of mine thinks all Germans are boring and have no sense of humour by the way. That makes me chuckle…like a Canadian slagging of a Yank!

RE: Euro nations

Yes, the practicalities seem to be OK.

But I am still concerned over soveirignty. I see interest rates as an important tool to manage economic growth, and obviously there is only one Euro-wide interest rate now. I remember a few years ago, Ireland needed to raise rates (Ireland was booming – the celtic tiger) but Germany needed lower raites, to increase growth. If they both had their own currency, it would be OK. But with the Euro, it is not possible.

I know that even in the same country, different regions want different rates – in the UK, London wants higher rates (to slow things down) but in the North, the opposite is true.

But putting region against region is different to putting country against country, isn’t it? There IS a loss of soveirignty there.

The fact that the ECB is unelected and not really accountable doesn’t help much!

Also, it is only logical that after the common currency there will be…common tax.

RE: Laser Eye Surgery (Zap & F

My dad’s eyesight is much better. He is cursing himself for not having done it earlier! He still needs to have an adjustment made to his surgery, but the results so far (even at 85-90% effectiveness) are very good.

I guess there is always a risk with these things, which you need to be prepared for. But as it happens, this turned out very well.

RE: Sociological question

There is a divide in Britain.

Mostly, there is “hatred” (for want of a better term) felt towards Germans by the British working classes. Lets be PC and say in socio economic groups like C1 or C2, maybe the lower B’s.

Move up the social ladder and the attitude softens an awful lot.

I like it when they lose (!) – but I also respect them and generally want Germany to do well. I have met lots of Germans and have always got on very well with them. The nation I don’t get on with, is France! I never get on with them!

I’m the first to admit I have only properly met a handful…but I could believe that the trend exists on a larger scale.

RE: Laser Eye Surgery (Zap & F

My dad had it done last year. He found that his eyeballs (both, strangely) were extremely dry after the operation and he needed to use fluid for a few months afterwards. Quite painful I think.

Also, he had his done in Johannesburg – same standard as UK (maybe higher) but significantly less expensive.