The Gathering Storm

A repeat of history, a grand scheme ignited, or a continued lapse of foresight; is this what is happening in Europe? All indications signal that indeed history is repeating. Whether it looks very similar to the onset of World War I or the aftermath which led to World War II Europe today is a quandary of economic plight. A simple truth is most of Europe is in a perpetual state of economic calamity not realizing that the recent bailouts have only managed to create more urgency for more bailouts. Sound familiar? It is too bad that those perpetrators of calamity haven't realized that certain northern countries like Sweden and Norway have managed to escape the wrath of economic plight that is very evident in Greece, Spain, Italy and even Great Britain. If they had the rest of Europe would be facing a much different financial climate.


The European crisis today can be traced back to the inception of the Euro and latter the European Union. Ever since the Lisbon Treaty where each member nation was to be under the guise of one sovereign entity similar to the United States, but unfortunately it was great in concept but has turned out to be a dismal failure in reality. We have to remember that each European nation is a separate country and has been for hundreds of years. To change or be subjected to an entirely different realm of reality where each nations sovereignty succumbs to be subservient under a Federal governance has in essence created more animosity instead of unity. Even nations that are very close in proximity to each other there remains totally different cultures, languages, and role of governance.that all have to be considered as to how to achieve a unity where every country is compatible with each other. It won't happen unless a general consensus of member nations to put the whole European Union ahead of their own individualistic agendas. It hasn't happened. The whole concept of the Lisbon treaty has been ignored when it comes to individual nations relying on a unified governance. They have instead relied on the World Bank and the IMF. All this has done is just drained the financial resources of both organizations which has done very little in fostering real economic stability.


The mounting debt crisis in so many countries through-out Europe continues to manifest into a coming Tsunami of epic proportions. The Lisbon Treaty many thought would have done much to thwart and even prevent this current crisis. It has not. When the Lisbon Treaty was ratified much adulation and favorable optimism erupted all over Europe. Finally, many saw a unified Europe capable of ushering in the worlds biggest economy, stabilizing what has become major unrest in countries all over Europe, and finally becoming a solidarity of nations under a one centralized government. A good idea in theory has now turned out bad in practicality. What was a very noble effort has become an almost most certain dismal failure. Little by little each nation just couldn't let go of their own best interests. Consequently, what was supposed to be a unified confederation of nation states has become so disjointed and individualistic. Instead of collectively working together to solve the many crisis that exist any proposal that manages to appear never really has a chance of succeeding.



Just, like what is happening in the United States where we face an astronomical national debt, a very inept congress, and mounting tensions nation wide each nation in Europe is facing similar sets of circumstances. The European parliament established by the Lisbon Treaty really has to start focusing on unifying member nations if this bold experiment of a one democratic unification of Europe is to succeed and last. With election turnout dropping, the legitimacy of the whole European Union project [The Lisbon Treaty] is being called into question. Compounding this is the mounting inner turmoil over each nations national debt continues to erode the ability and authority of the European Union.


A unified Europe under one central government much like the United States with each country abiding by the articles of federation can still create the biggest economy in the world. The European Union now will have the resources that when combined together from all member countries each nation will be ensured of more economic growth and greater national security all from being member states of the European Union. The United States must still do more to support this treaty and embrace the European Union. Only when the European countries band together under the Lisbon Treaty and actively support the concept of the European Union instead of their own self interests both the United States and Europe will now be able actually achieve the economic stability that continues now to be so elusive.


The success of the Treaty of Lisbon and the European Union is crucial for the overall stability of each member state as well as the future security of Europe and the rest of the world. Through the combined efforts of the United States, the United Nations, and a resurgence of solidarity of the European Union working together with a real commitment toward the end of terrorism, a resurgence of economic growth and preserving nations national security is not only probable but very possible.



It is time that the United States underscores the imperative nature to the success of the Lisbon Treaty and inmates working relations with member European nations to resolve their reluctance to accept a central governance. Only when each member European nation realizes that the IMF and the World Bank can't solve all the financial turmoil that is a gathering storm of economic disaster but a total commitment by each nation to fully support the Lisbon Treaty can Europe begin to cast away the storm clouds of financial and economic calamity.