pinklady1991
Courtier
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2005
- Messages
- 566
- City
- Boston
- Country
- United States
Laura Elizabeth said:Oh, I had no idea! Hmm... maybe I should look elsewhere to finish my phd? Just kidding, I wasn't considering the University of Monaco; I don't think I could afford it. It does bring up another area where the Prince could be looking to enhance Monaco's prestige though. Didn't his Father do a great deal on the primary education levels (pre-University that is)?
Actually, it's much cheaper to go to school in Europe than in the United States. Even though I had to pay tuition to Columbia as an undergrad, the semester abroad cost me considerably less (living expenses were slightly higher but there were many more student discounts available in Paris and throughout Europe than in Boston). The first way to improve its prestige is to get it out of the stadium. Granted space is an issue, but... Great athletics program though...
Laura Elizabeth said:I had forgotten about the changes the Prince got passed last year. I wondered at that time why not just completely separate from France. Utilities and policing, etc., can be gotten elsewhere, and more cheaply too. Do you think the majority of Monagasts would be comfortable with giving the French a complete "heave-ho" - allowing Monaco to be completely free of French government interest?
MC is an independent country with a "special relationship" with France, not another departement or a protectorate. I'm sure utilities, policing etc. being borrowed from France had much more to do with population limits and costs. Now there is a constant fear of "Polish plumbers" -- those from poorer nations who are more willing to work for cheaper wages in the more "menial" tasks. Not giving the "heave-ho" to France probably has a lot to do with why Puerto Rico doesn't give the "heave-ho" to the U.S.
Laura Elizabeth said:As for the EU, if all States have an equal representation then, regardless of the State's size, everyone has an equal say. Yes, larger States can band together and work for their goals, but so can the smaller States. It appears, from this side of the pond, smaller States like Luxembourg, Monaco, etc., don't band together and present their interests and needs in concert, especially within the EU, and I think that would be a natural "marriage" and something the smaller States would be doing.
In theory your first statement is what is implied by the Constitution of the United States. In reality, money/industry/prestige counts. That's the reason Mitt Romney, with his presidential aspirations, ran for governor of Massachusetts and not Utah. While the smaller countries you mentioned appear to be quite wealthy, their economic power doesn't really come from the kind of technology, durable goods, or other needs that will make Europe competitive in the global marketplace; therefore, they will never be seen as equal partners in the EU.
Laura Elizabeth said:Oh! That wasn't a brilliant idea, was it? Ah, it's so easy to be critical in hindsight. We have enough issues with trash in this country. My family vacations on Nantucket Island, off the coast of Massachusetts, several times each year. Several years ago the highest structure on the Island was the trash mound. The fighting that took place over what to do about the trash problem was unbelieveable. I think they finally contracted to have sent someplace else to be incinerated. The mountain of trash isn't as bad any longer, but it's still a serious problem.
I think they sent the trash from Nantucket to be incinerated elsewhere in MA. I remember the raging debate b/c they wanted to dump it in some of MA's poorer communities. I think it was settled by shipping 1/2 of it to NY and keeping the other 1/2 in state. I have to research it...but it provided a lot of funny and tense moments at the annual St. Patrick's Day breakfast for a couple of years.
Laura Elizabeth said:On behalf of the United States, not that I have the right to speak for all US citizens, but I'm going to anyway: I apologize. That is one of the dumbest ideas we've ever exported.
We like measurable results in a short period of time -- we're an impatient society. Yeah, it was dumb...its inception was suitable for the time and the circumstances, but now partisanship stands in the way of too much. Besides, FDR had a Democratic Congress to help him push through many of his ideas.
Laura Elizabeth said:pink Good point. And the concept of a unified Europe has been floating around since the turn of the last century.
I think that the Prince might have a unique opportunity to bring the other European nations around, however. What makes sense to US residents is a tad alien to Europeans. It's not that they're incapable of understanding, it's just so different it's difficult. Having a thorough understanding of both systems should mean he can build a bridge between European nations and help them forge a "more perfect union". Of course, that would require the Prince having the authority - the gravitas - within the EU to get them to listen to him. I don't know that he does. Yet.
Unification didn't sit well at the turn of the 20th century -- have two world wars as the proof. (Yes, there was more to it but I keep thinking about the Anschlauss (sp?)) I just don't see imposing a US model on Europe as a way of helping them become more competitive. I think Europeans need to find a uniquely European solution to those issues. PA is a small cog in the wheel and while he may be able to help broker agreements among the European nations, I just don't see MC becoming a huge political force on the world stage. Nothing personal, I'm intrigued by and smitten with MC (and all of Europe) and the opportunities given to someone close to my generation to start to affect world political and economic policies, but I think the next great political leader will come from either the United States or Latin America or Africa.