Stu: Although, to be honest, I think enough is enough. The average Dutch person pays 2.500 euro per year in taxes to the EU. The NL are together with one or two other countries, the main contributors. I.e. their taxpayers are. I know it is a bit selfish, but I don't want any more countries to become part of the EU. Those who are candidate-members (and other people wish to see become part of the EU) are mostly countries that don't have a lot to contribute, only to hold up their hand. Which means that my taxes will only increase. Thanks, but no thanks.
On the other hand, There are quite a few more Dutch trucks rolling around now, and Dutch money is being invested heavily all around (with tidy profits).
The problem though, is a good one. Dutch taxpayers are paying for it. It should be coming out of corporate income taxes, as companies see the biggest benefit (which of course in the end is a benefit to the employee, but it's too indirect).
delphiandomine: I don't even think that most of the EU-12 countries should have been allowed to join in the first place. Slovenia, yes - it's catching up rapidly. Estonia too. But the rest? No way.
The entire idea was equilibrium. Are the Dutch getting any poorer? Social welfare for the poorer countries, and corporate welfare for the richer countries.
Not enough power for the people who are paying for the experiment. There need to be way more referendums on issues. People are confused as to what MEPs and MPs are responsible for anymore, and they stopped caring. Huge blow to democracy.
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