Angela Merkel just did something stupid...

At may 29, 2005, the French rejected the European constitution, at june 1, the Dutch did the same. Thereupon Tony Blair decided that a referendum in the UK was unnecessary, probably because he was afraid of a British 'no', rather than because of any of the excuses he made up. For the 'non' and 'nee' were of course a blow in the face of the French and Dutch politicians and Tony had already angered many Britons by sending their sons and daughters to Iraq.
I understood that the European constitution is just a formality. The treaties are already there and this constitution is going to be a nice summary of what's already been achieved. It's not the American 'bill of rights', nor anything spectacular like the 'declaration of human rights'. It's just a pile of paper created to bring some order into the European chaos.

I don't think there's anything wrong with bringing order into chaos, or with drafting something like a constitution. Europe has a lot of potential. It has the third largest population of the world, the largest economy, a tremendous military and political potential and a huge legacy. And besides those things, it has been a beacon of peace for more than half a century.

But what does annoy me and convince me to vote against another proposed constitution is the way in which it is presented. The politicians held these referenda, hoping to show Brussels that 'their' people were so enlightened to embrace this symbol of hope and unity. They thought it'd be an easy victory. And, just so that the brainless electorate would know which button to press, they started a campaign.
The message was clear: "Vote yes!"
I don't know how much of the tax-payers' money they spent on it, but it must have been an awful lot. Television, newspapers, folders, everything was used to convince us ignorant civilians to vote in favour. The only thing they didn't show us was the draft constitution itself.

One Dutch politician summarized the shock of the politicians the next day... " The voter is intelligent."
Of course the reaction of most people was: "Arrogant idiot."
But at least this gentleman had woken up. Yes, politicians, we do have brains. We aren't stupid sheep who vote 'yes' because you tell us to. If you wanted a 'yes' so desperately, why did you have a referendum in the first place? You remind me of the governments of the former Deutsche DEMOKRATISCHE Republik, which held elections with just one name printed on the voting-paper. Very democratic, dear politicians...
I suspect that many French and Dutch didn't cast their 'nons' and 'nees' because they were opposed to the European constitution, nor even because they were opposed to European unity, but simply because the politicians kept telling them that it would be such a shame and a disgrace if they voted 'no'.
A shame and a disgrace... For them politicians, not for us voters. We wanted to see them tumble from their arrogant height, to show tham that democracy isn't a tool one can abuse for his own purposes.
And the night after, many politicians kept their attitude. The voter had misunderstood them. The ignorant plebs didn't know the importance of this constitution. The naive fools...

Well, let me tell you this Europhilic politicians: I have nothing against the EU, nor against your constitution, but if you keep telling me to vote 'yes', I will vote 'no'.

And yes, chancelor Merkel, it was a missed opportunity. Not for Europe, but for you.