The Future Of Belgium

[sinan123]

9) Why do the Germans accept three times more transfers to the East than some Dutch speaking Belgians to the South? Because their money is well spent!! In walloon, the money disappears in a PS-state economy. It is no longer affordable, especially with the globalising world economy. The PS-state is the bankrupcy of Walloon, Belgium and in the end also Flanders.

Ben je daar zeker van?

[Henry]

Oorspronkelijk geplaatst door sinan123

Ben je daar zeker van?

Wel, alleszins beter dan het Vlaamse geld in Wallonië.
Een slechter gebruik van overheidsgeld dan in Wallonië zal je in West-Europa niet vinden.

[bartje]

Het zou van een zeker respect getuigen deze topic in het Nederlands door te zetten; citaten of zoiets in het Engels heb ik totaal geen probleem mee maar niet constant hé zoals hier nu.
Het getuigt dan ook van een héél weinig respect vind ik en ik denk dat je op zo'n manier maar héél weinig sympathie zal kunnen winnen bij zelfs de gemiddelde Belgicist.

[sinan123]

Oorspronkelijk geplaatst door Henry

Wel, alleszins beter dan het Vlaamse geld in Wallonië.
Een slechter gebruik van overheidsgeld dan in Wallonië zal je in West-Europa niet vinden.

Toch wel grappig dat de internationale media zelden informeren over de problemen in België, en wel heel vaak over die in Duitsland.

[Jozef Ostyn]

Hans1 condemns the self-determination of nations and their right to secede from a non-functioning state. I would be interested to know what nationals of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, Moldova, Norway, Georgia, Armenia, etc., etc. think about the fact that Hans believes their secession and creation of an independent state in the twentieth century was illegitemate.

[Hans1]

Oorspronkelijk geplaatst door Henry

1) Is the democratic argument important to you?
Very important

Well then, do you accept the 90%-majority against the end of Belgium?

2) Need there be a referendum?
A referendum will be impossible, because the politicians won't be able to agree about the way the question is posed.

This is not an answer to the question. Besides, there was a referendum in 1950, so it's possible.

3) Does multilinguism in a state have an added value?
Yes very much. Flemish people are known for their multilinguism. Walloon people are known as French speaking. Flanders is a multilingual state, Walloon is unilingual.

Flemish people are knowing less and less foreign languages. French speaking more and more. Time to wake up, man.

Besides, this was a question about the multilingual character of the Belgian state, just as the European Union and you didn't answer it.

4)What about other countries in the world that are multilingual, like Spain, Switzerland, South-Africa, Canada, the USA...? These are federal countries, that do not need to be be split up.

Switzerland, South-Africa, Canada and the USA are perhaps federal but not on a linguistic basis. So, there is no link. Do I have to conclude from your answer that since Belgium is federal too, the country doesn't have to be split up?

5) What about the differences between the Belgian provinces? Difference is beautiful.

Well, what are you complaining about differences between the north and the south of Belgium?

6) What about the differences between North and South-England, the North and the South of Italy or between Ile de France and Brittany or the Alps region? Very nice indeed.

Same reply.

7) Has federalism a future?

You didn't answer this one.

Does the north of Belgium need a strong South just as the West of Germany needs a strong East? Yes indeed. Fine.

Unfortunately, the South of Belgium has a very corrupt state economy,

it's no state, the state is Belgium.

that spoils all of the money given to it by Flanders and Europe.

All the money? Aren't you exaggerating ?

There will have to be a change in politics before there can be a change in economy in Walloon.

There is a change in politics now and the B.U.B. can bring about much more change. The parties of the north of Belgium cannot not because they o not participate in the elections in the south.

9) Why do the Germans accept three times more transfers to the East than some Dutch speaking Belgians to the South? Because their money is well spent!!

There is still 18% unemployment in East-Germany. Well-spent?

In walloon, the money disappears in a PS-state economy.

You love generalizations and caricatures.

It is no longer affordable, especially with the globalising world economy.

To split a small country?

The PS-state is the bankrupcy of Walloon, Belgium and in the end also Flanders.

Well, vote B.U.B. then. I thought that the flamingants wanted a strong south (Leterme). Do you disagree with them? If Belgium splits, there won't be a strong south.

10) If federalism for Belgium is a mistake, which reasonable argument does exist to prevent that mistake from being corrected? It is not a mistake.

Why not? Because of DHL and Brussels-Halle-Vilvoorde?

But it is not yet perfect. It will be in a couple of years, decennia.

Are you a federalist now ? (to federate means to bring together).

[Patriot!]

Oorspronkelijk geplaatst door bartje

Het zou van een zeker respect getuigen deze topic in het Nederlands door te zetten; citaten of zoiets in het Engels heb ik totaal geen probleem mee maar niet constant hé zoals hier nu.
Het getuigt dan ook van een héél weinig respect vind ik en ik denk dat je op zo'n manier maar héél weinig sympathie zal kunnen winnen bij zelfs de gemiddelde Belgicist.

Dear Bart,

This is the only English topic on this board. I agree with you that Dutch should be the only language on the forum, but I don't see the problem when one (1 !) topic is in English. Like Hans pointed out, it could lift the discussion to an international level. If you don't like discussions in English, no problem. There are a lot of other discussions like this one in Dutch in 'Communautaire discussies'.

[Hans1]

Oorspronkelijk geplaatst door Jozef Ostyn

Hans1 condemns the self-determination of nations and their right to secede from a non-functioning state. I would be interested to know what nationals of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, Moldova, Norway, Georgia, Armenia, etc., etc. think about the fact that Hans believes their secession and creation of an independent state in the twentieth century was illegitemate.

For self-determination, you need a majority. Where is yours?

[Hans1]

Oorspronkelijk geplaatst door Patriot!

Dear Bart,

This is the only English topic on this board. I agree with you that Dutch should be the only language on the forum, but I don't see the problem when one (1 !) topic is in English. Like Hans pointed out, it could lift the discussion to an international level. If you don't like discussions in English, no problem. There are a lot of other discussions like this one in Dutch in 'Communautaire discussies'.

The language of the website title is in English: www.politics.be. So, why not?

We are open-minded Europeans, so I don't see any problem.

Besides, Bart, opening an English speaking topic means that we respect the English speaking people and all people who use English as a second language.

It seems that you don't respect them.[edit]
[size=1]Edit:[/size]

[size=1]After edit by Hans1 on 11-09-2005 at 14:10
Reason:
--------------------------------

The language of the website title is in English: www.politics.be. So, why not?

We are open-minded Europeans, so I don't see any problem.

Besides, Bart, opening an English speaking topic means that we respect the English speaking people and all people who use English as a second language.

It seems that you don't respect them.[/size]

[size=1]Before any edits, post was:
--------------------------------

The language of the website title is in English: www.politics.be. So, why not?

We are open-minded Europeans, so I don't see any problem.[/size]

[/edit]

[Jozef Ostyn]

Oorspronkelijk geplaatst door Hans1

For self-determination, you need a majority. Where is yours?

Less than 0,5% of Flemings vote for parties that espouse a unitary state. More than 90% vote for parties that want more devolution and/or confederation and of those about 25% vote for seperatist parties.

[Hans1]

25% is no majority and those parties speak about a lot more than the future of the state. It is not because you vote for the socialists, that you accept all their points of view.

[Jozef Ostyn]

Oorspronkelijk geplaatst door Hans1

25% is no majority and those parties speak about a lot more than the future of the state. It is not because you vote for the socialists, that you accept all their points of view.

Less than 0,5% is a very tiny minority.

[Hans1]

I am talking about 40% of unitarists and unionfederalists and about 90% of people who want the keep Belgium. That is a lot.

[Hans1]

I refer to my postings above. I am waiting impatiently for an answer of the flamingants.

[Henry]

1) Is the democratic argument important to you?
Very important

Well then, do you accept the 90%-majority against the end of Belgium?

The pro-Belgian argument is in fact an emotional argument. Politics shouldn't always follow emotional feelings of the public. For me, belgium should not be split up if the walloon politicians would behave.

2) Need there be a referendum?
A referendum will be impossible, because the politicians won't be able to agree about the way the question is posed.

This is not an answer to the question. Besides, there was a referendum in 1950, so it's possible.

You can't compare the referendum of 1950 with a referendum now about splitting belgium. It' s another question, and the question is what the question would be

3) Does multilinguism in a state have an added value?
Yes very much. Flemish people are known for their multilinguism. Walloon people are known as French speaking. Flanders is a multilingual state, Walloon is unilingual.

Flemish people are knowing less and less foreign languages. French speaking more and more. Time to wake up, man.

Blablabla, hans.
Besides, this was a question about the multilingual character of the Belgian state, just as the European Union and you didn't answer it.

I did answer. Ask better questions then. You can't speak of a multilingual Belgian state, because only one part of the country is multilingual.

4)What about other countries in the world that are multilingual, like Spain, Switzerland, South-Africa, Canada, the USA...? These are federal countries, that do not need to be be split up.

Switzerland, South-Africa, Canada and the USA are perhaps federal but not on a linguistic basis. So, there is no link. Do I have to conclude from your answer that since Belgium is federal too, the country doesn't have to be split up?

You can't compare countries. That is stupid. Like you can't compare people. Our histories are different. Each country has to make it's own mind up.
5) What about the differences between the Belgian provinces? Difference is beautiful.

Well, what are you complaining about differences between the north and the south of Belgium?

It is well-known that Belgium has a Germanic part and a Romanic part. That's even thaught at scool! The biggest problem is the mentality of a certain Walloon political party.

6) What about the differences between North and South-England, the North and the South of Italy or between Ile de France and Brittany or the Alps region? Very nice indeed.
Can't compare, so isn't relevant.
Same reply.

7) Has federalism a future?

Flanders has a future and Walloon has a future, as far as the second doesn't vegetate on the first.

You didn't answer this one.

Does the north of Belgium need a strong South just as the West of Germany needs a strong East? Yes indeed. Fine.

Unfortunately, the South of Belgium has a very corrupt state economy,

it's no state, the state is Belgium.

It's not in the words, it's in the meaning. You must see the facts.

that spoils all of the money given to it by Flanders and Europe.

All the money? Aren't you exaggerating ?
Ok then, most of the money . No walloon is getting better from the PS-policy, except the PS-politicians.
There will have to be a change in politics before there can be a change in economy in Walloon.

There is a change in politics now and the B.U.B. can bring about much more change. The parties of the north of Belgium cannot not because they o not participate in the elections in the south.

9) Why do the Germans accept three times more transfers to the East than some Dutch speaking Belgians to the South? Because their money is well spent!!

There is still 18% unemployment in East-Germany. Well-spent?
In Walloon 40% of the "working" class works for government. Then there are lots of factories that survive on government money. This is much worse than 18% unemployment. German money is thus better spent.
In walloon, the money disappears in a PS-state economy.

You love generalizations and caricatures.
You love the Belgian caricature.
It is no longer affordable, especially with the globalising world economy.

To split a small country?
Small is beautiful, so flanders is more beautiful than belgium.
Splitting is better, because then the walloons will have to make a real economy. Now they live in a false certainty of financial transfers.

The PS-state is the bankrupcy of Walloon, Belgium and in the end also Flanders.

Well, vote B.U.B. then. I thought that the flamingants wanted a strong south (Leterme). Do you disagree with them? If Belgium splits, there won't be a strong south.

Totally wrong. If belgium splits, walloon will have the money they really earn. It will be a though time, but then we will be able to help them instead of pampering them as we do right now.

10) If federalism for Belgium is a mistake, which reasonable argument does exist to prevent that mistake from being corrected? It is not a mistake.

Why not? Because of DHL and Brussels-Halle-Vilvoorde?
[b]DHL and BHV only show that work is not done yet.
But it is not yet perfect. It will be in a couple of years, decennia.

Dear hans, if this is your niveau I wonder if you'll ever win a case as an advocate or attorney. My god![edit]
[size=1]Edit:[/size]

[size=1]After edit by Henry on 11-09-2005 at 15:16
Reason:
--------------------------------

1) Is the democratic argument important to you?
Very important

Well then, do you accept the 90%-majority against the end of Belgium?

The pro-Belgian argument is in fact an emotional argument. Politics shouldn't always follow emotional feelings of the public. For me, belgium should not be split up if the walloon politicians would behave.

2) Need there be a referendum?
A referendum will be impossible, because the politicians won't be able to agree about the way the question is posed.

This is not an answer to the question. Besides, there was a referendum in 1950, so it's possible.

You can't compare the referendum of 1950 with a referendum now about splitting belgium. It' s another question, and the question is what the question would be

3) Does multilinguism in a state have an added value?
Yes very much. Flemish people are known for their multilinguism. Walloon people are known as French speaking. Flanders is a multilingual state, Walloon is unilingual.

Flemish people are knowing less and less foreign languages. French speaking more and more. Time to wake up, man.

Blablabla, hans.
Besides, this was a question about the multilingual character of the Belgian state, just as the European Union and you didn't answer it.

I did answer. Ask better questions then. You can't speak of a multilingual Belgian state, because only one part of the country is multilingual.

4)What about other countries in the world that are multilingual, like Spain, Switzerland, South-Africa, Canada, the USA...? These are federal countries, that do not need to be be split up.

Switzerland, South-Africa, Canada and the USA are perhaps federal but not on a linguistic basis. So, there is no link. Do I have to conclude from your answer that since Belgium is federal too, the country doesn't have to be split up?

You can't compare countries. That is stupid. Like you can't compare people. Our histories are different. Each country has to make it's own mind up.
5) What about the differences between the Belgian provinces? Difference is beautiful.

Well, what are you complaining about differences between the north and the south of Belgium?

It is well-known that Belgium has a Germanic part and a Romanic part. That's even thaught at scool! The biggest problem is the mentality of a certain Walloon political party.

6) What about the differences between North and South-England, the North and the South of Italy or between Ile de France and Brittany or the Alps region? Very nice indeed.
Can't compare, so isn't relevant.
Same reply.

7) Has federalism a future?

Flanders has a future and Walloon has a future, as far as the second doesn't vegetate on the first.

You didn't answer this one.

Does the north of Belgium need a strong South just as the West of Germany needs a strong East? Yes indeed. Fine.

Unfortunately, the South of Belgium has a very corrupt state economy,

it's no state, the state is Belgium.

It's not in the words, it's in the meaning. You must see the facts.

that spoils all of the money given to it by Flanders and Europe.

All the money? Aren't you exaggerating ?
Ok then, most of the money . No walloon is getting better from the PS-policy, except the PS-politicians.
There will have to be a change in politics before there can be a change in economy in Walloon.

There is a change in politics now and the B.U.B. can bring about much more change. The parties of the north of Belgium cannot not because they o not participate in the elections in the south.

9) Why do the Germans accept three times more transfers to the East than some Dutch speaking Belgians to the South? Because their money is well spent!!

There is still 18% unemployment in East-Germany. Well-spent?
In Walloon 40% of the "working" class works for government. Then there are lots of factories that survive on government money. This is much worse than 18% unemployment. German money is thus better spent.
In walloon, the money disappears in a PS-state economy.

You love generalizations and caricatures.
You love the Belgian caricature.
It is no longer affordable, especially with the globalising world economy.

To split a small country?
Small is beautiful, so flanders is more beautiful than belgium.
Splitting is better, because then the walloons will have to make a real economy. Now they live in a false certainty of financial transfers.

The PS-state is the bankrupcy of Walloon, Belgium and in the end also Flanders.

Well, vote B.U.B. then. I thought that the flamingants wanted a strong south (Leterme). Do you disagree with them? If Belgium splits, there won't be a strong south.

Totally wrong. If belgium splits, walloon will have the money they really earn. It will be a though time, but then we will be able to help them instead of pampering them as we do right now.

10) If federalism for Belgium is a mistake, which reasonable argument does exist to prevent that mistake from being corrected? It is not a mistake.

Why not? Because of DHL and Brussels-Halle-Vilvoorde?
[b]DHL and BHV only show that work is not done yet.
But it is not yet perfect. It will be in a couple of years, decennia.

Dear hans, if this is your niveau I wonder if you'll ever win a case as an advocate or attorney. My god![/size]

[size=1]Edit:[/size]

[size=1]After edit by Henry on 11-09-2005 at 15:13
Reason:
--------------------------------

1) Is the democratic argument important to you?
Very important

Well then, do you accept the 90%-majority against the end of Belgium?

The pro-Belgian argument is in fact an emotional argument. Politics shouldn't always follow emotional feelings of the public. For me, belgium should not be split up if the walloon politicians would behave.

2) Need there be a referendum?
A referendum will be impossible, because the politicians won't be able to agree about the way the question is posed.

This is not an answer to the question. Besides, there was a referendum in 1950, so it's possible.

You can't compare the referendum of 1950 with a referendum now about splitting belgium. It' s another question, and the question is what the question would be

3) Does multilinguism in a state have an added value?
Yes very much. Flemish people are known for their multilinguism. Walloon people are known as French speaking. Flanders is a multilingual state, Walloon is unilingual.

Flemish people are knowing less and less foreign languages. French speaking more and more. Time to wake up, man.

Blablabla, dear hans.
Besides, this was a question about the multilingual character of the Belgian state, just as the European Union and you didn't answer it.

I did answer. Ask better questions then. You can't speak of a multilingual Belgian state, because only one part of the country is multilingual.

4)What about other countries in the world that are multilingual, like Spain, Switzerland, South-Africa, Canada, the USA...? These are federal countries, that do not need to be be split up.

Switzerland, South-Africa, Canada and the USA are perhaps federal but not on a linguistic basis. So, there is no link. Do I have to conclude from your answer that since Belgium is federal too, the country doesn't have to be split up?

You can't compare countries. That is stupid. Like you can't compare people. Our histories are different. Each country has to make it's own mind up.
5) What about the differences between the Belgian provinces? Difference is beautiful.

Well, what are you complaining about differences between the north and the south of Belgium?

It is well-known that Belgium has a Germanic part and a Romanic part. That's even thaught at scool! The biggest problem is the mentality of a certain Walloon political party.

6) What about the differences between North and South-England, the North and the South of Italy or between Ile de France and Brittany or the Alps region? Very nice indeed.
Can't compare, so isn't relevant.
Same reply.

7) Has federalism a future?

Flanders has a future and Walloon has a future, as far as the second doesn't vegetate on the first.

You didn't answer this one.

Does the north of Belgium need a strong South just as the West of Germany needs a strong East? Yes indeed. Fine.

Unfortunately, the South of Belgium has a very corrupt state economy,

it's no state, the state is Belgium.

It's not in the words, it's in the meaning. You must see the facts.

that spoils all of the money given to it by Flanders and Europe.

All the money? Aren't you exaggerating ?
Ok then, most of the money . No walloon is getting better from the PS-policy, except the PS-politicians.
There will have to be a change in politics before there can be a change in economy in Walloon.

There is a change in politics now and the B.U.B. can bring about much more change. The parties of the north of Belgium cannot not because they o not participate in the elections in the south.

9) Why do the Germans accept three times more transfers to the East than some Dutch speaking Belgians to the South? Because their money is well spent!!

There is still 18% unemployment in East-Germany. Well-spent?
In Walloon 40% of the "working" class works for government. Then there are lots of factories that survive on government money. This is much worse than 18% unemployment. German money is thus better spent.
In walloon, the money disappears in a PS-state economy.

You love generalizations and caricatures.
You love the Belgian caricature.
It is no longer affordable, especially with the globalising world economy.

To split a small country?
Small is beautiful, so flanders is more beautiful than belgium.
Splitting is better, because then the walloons will have to make a real economy. Now they live in a false certainty of financial transfers.

The PS-state is the bankrupcy of Walloon, Belgium and in the end also Flanders.

Well, vote B.U.B. then. I thought that the flamingants wanted a strong south (Leterme). Do you disagree with them? If Belgium splits, there won't be a strong south.

Totally wrong. If belgium splits, walloon will have the money they really earn. It will be a though time, but then we will be able to help them instead of pampering them as we do right now.

10) If federalism for Belgium is a mistake, which reasonable argument does exist to prevent that mistake from being corrected? It is not a mistake.

Why not? Because of DHL and Brussels-Halle-Vilvoorde?
[b]DHL and BHV only show that work is not done yet.
But it is not yet perfect. It will be in a couple of years, decennia.

Dear hans, if this is your niveau I wonder if you'll ever win a case as an advocate or attorney. My god![/size]

[size=1]Before any edits, post was:
--------------------------------

1) Is the democratic argument important to you?
Very important

Well then, do you accept the 90%-majority against the end of Belgium?

The pro-Belgian argument is in fact an emotional argument. Politics shouldn't always follow emotional feelings of the public. For me, belgium should nog be split up if the walloon politicians would behave.

2) Need there be a referendum?
A referendum will be impossible, because the politicians won't be able to agree about the way the question is posed.

This is not an answer to the question. Besides, there was a referendum in 1950, so it's possible.

You can't compare the referendum of 1950 with a referendum now about splitting belgium. It' s another question, and the question is what the question would be

3) Does multilinguism in a state have an added value?
Yes very much. Flemish people are known for their multilinguism. Walloon people are known as French speaking. Flanders is a multilingual state, Walloon is unilingual.

Flemish people are knowing less and less foreign languages. French speaking more and more. Time to wake up, man.

Blablabla, dear hans.
Besides, this was a question about the multilingual character of the Belgian state, just as the European Union and you didn't answer it.

I did answer. Ask better questions then. You can't speak of a multilingual Belgian state, because only one part of the country is multilingual.

4)What about other countries in the world that are multilingual, like Spain, Switzerland, South-Africa, Canada, the USA...? These are federal countries, that do not need to be be split up.

Switzerland, South-Africa, Canada and the USA are perhaps federal but not on a linguistic basis. So, there is no link. Do I have to conclude from your answer that since Belgium is federal too, the country doesn't have to be split up?

You can't compare countries. That is stupid. Like you can't compare people. Our histories are different. Each country has to make it's own mind up.
5) What about the differences between the Belgian provinces? Difference is beautiful.

Well, what are you complaining about differences between the north and the south of Belgium?

It is well-known that Belgium has a Germanic part and a Romanic part. That's even thaught at scool! The biggest problem is the mentality of a certain Walloon political party.

6) What about the differences between North and South-England, the North and the South of Italy or between Ile de France and Brittany or the Alps region? Very nice indeed.
Can't compare, so isn't relevant.
Same reply.

7) Has federalism a future?

Flanders has a future and Walloon has a future, as far as the second doesn't vegetate on the first.

You didn't answer this one.

Does the north of Belgium need a strong South just as the West of Germany needs a strong East? Yes indeed. Fine.

Unfortunately, the South of Belgium has a very corrupt state economy,

it's no state, the state is Belgium.

It's not in the words, it's in the meaning. You must see the facts.

that spoils all of the money given to it by Flanders and Europe.

All the money? Aren't you exaggerating ?
Ok then, most of the money . No walloon is getting better from the PS-policy, except the PS-politicians.
There will have to be a change in politics before there can be a change in economy in Walloon.

There is a change in politics now and the B.U.B. can bring about much more change. The parties of the north of Belgium cannot not because they o not participate in the elections in the south.

9) Why do the Germans accept three times more transfers to the East than some Dutch speaking Belgians to the South? Because their money is well spent!!

There is still 18% unemployment in East-Germany. Well-spent?
In Walloon 40% of the "working" class works for government. Then there are lots of factories that survive on government money. This is much worse than 18% unemployment. German money is thus better spent.
In walloon, the money disappears in a PS-state economy.

You love generalizations and caricatures.
You love the Belgian caricature.
It is no longer affordable, especially with the globalising world economy.

To split a small country?
Small is beautiful, so flanders is more beautiful than belgium.
Splitting is better, because then the walloons will have to make a real economy. Now they live in a false certainty of financial transfers.

The PS-state is the bankrupcy of Walloon, Belgium and in the end also Flanders.

Well, vote B.U.B. then. I thought that the flamingants wanted a strong south (Leterme). Do you disagree with them? If Belgium splits, there won't be a strong south.

Totally wrong. If belgium splits, walloon will have the money they really earn. It will be a though time, but then we will be able to help them instead of pampering them as we do right now.

10) If federalism for Belgium is a mistake, which reasonable argument does exist to prevent that mistake from being corrected? It is not a mistake.

Why not? Because of DHL and Brussels-Halle-Vilvoorde?
[b]DHL and BHV only show that work is not done yet.
But it is not yet perfect. It will be in a couple of years, decennia.

Dear hans, if this is your niveau I wonder if you'll ever win a case as an advocate or attorney. My god![/size]

[/edit]

[alpina]

Wat een grap. Blijkbaar wil de BUB haar schitterend programma ook internationaal gaan promoten. Veel succes er mee!

[Jan van den Berghe]

Oorspronkelijk geplaatst door alpina

Wat een grap. Blijkbaar wil de BUB haar schitterend programma ook internationaal gaan promoten. Veel succes er mee!

Misschien willen ze het naar het VK uitvoeren, een land waar de "devolution" volop aan de gang (en zorgde voor het herstel van een Schots parlement bijvoorbeeld, van een Schotse en Noord-Ierse regering, enzovoort).

[khaled]

Oorspronkelijk geplaatst door Hans1

I think it's time to start an English speaking topic on "politics.be" about the future of the small state Belgium.

According to different opinion polls, 80 to 90% of all Belgians desire to keep the country, some of them wanting to create again a united Belgium with one government and one parliament for the whole nation instead of the six governments and parliaments we have today.

10 important questions:

1) Is the democratic argument important to you?
2) Need there be a referendum?
3) Does multilinguism in a state have an added value?
4)What about other countries in the world that are multilingual, like Spain, Switzerland, South-Africa, Canada, the USA...? Split them up or unite them? What about the multilingual European Union (20 languages today)?
5) What about the differences between the Belgian provinces?
6) What about the differences between North and South-England, the North and the South of Italy or between Ile de France and Brittany or the Alps region?
7) Has federalism a future?
8) Does the north of Belgium need a strong South just as the West of Germany needs a strong East?
9) Why do the Germans accept three times more transfers to the East than some Dutch speaking Belgians to the South?
10) If federalism for Belgium is a mistake, which reasonable argument does exist to prevent that mistake from being corrected?

First of all, I would like to point out that the topic isn't really speaking English... I for one didn't hear it talking. It's those damned voices inside your head again, Hans !

To answer your "questions".
1) define 'the democratic argument'
2) Every normal democracy holds referenda.
3) question seems completely irrelevant to me, answer is yes
4) what about them ? Since when does Belgium have the right to interfere in other nations' internal affaires ? Topic about the future of Belgium?
5) what about them ? What are those differences according to you ?
6) what about them ? Again, you started a topic on the future of Belgium...
7) I'm not a prophet.
8) Interesting comparison. Think about it.
9) Who says all Germans accept them ? Again, topic tries to discuss the future of Belgium... You realy have a problem sticking to your own topic, don't you ?
10) If Belgium is a mistake, which reasonable argument keeps us from putting the matter straight ? Let's make two republics...

Your last question has 'a considerable amount of hair on it', if you know what I mean. If I were you, I would stick to my native language...

[van Maerlant]

Oorspronkelijk geplaatst door Hans1

I think it's time to start an English speaking topic on "politics.be" about the future of the small state Belgium.

According to different opinion polls, 80 to 90% of all Belgians desire to keep the country, some of them want to create (again) a united Belgium [size=3]again[/size] with one government and one parliament for the whole nation instead of the six governments and parliaments we have today.

10 important questions:

1) Is the democratic argument important to you?
2) Is it neccesary to have a referendum?
3) Does multilinguism has an added value in a state ?
4)What about other countries in the world that are multilingual, like Spain, Switzerland, South-Africa, Canada, the USA...? Divide or unite them? What about the multilingual European Union (20 languages today)?
5) What about the differences between the Belgian provinces?
6) What about the differences between North and South-England, the North and the South of Italy or between Ile de France and Brittany or the Alps region?
7) Does federalism have a future?
8) Does the north of Belgium need a strong South just as the West of Germany needs a strong East?
9) Why do the Germans accept three times more transfers to the East than some Dutch speaking Belgians to the South?
10) If federalism for Belgium is a mistake, which reasonable argument does exist to prevent that mistake from being corrected?

[sinan123]

Het is een ook een goede manier, om je kennis van het Engels te verbeteren.