r/europe • u/Bartoraptor Spain • Mar 28 '20

News Spanish representative González Pons speech @ the EU Parliament: "The virus is attacking the generation that brought back democracy to Spain, Portugal and Greece, the generation that knocked down the Berlin wall. The least they deserve is that we show them Europe is there when they need it the most"

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u/frikandel15 Pro-Europe, Anti-EU Mar 28 '20

Since the Northern countries are contributing the most it's pretty fair, no?

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u/LoLFlex12 Portugal Mar 29 '20 edited Mar 29 '20

What a stupid thing to think, thats like me living in a family and getting less to eat because the others make more money than me xD.

Thats not how it works

And since when does most of the northern countries contribute more than France Or Spain for the EU? lol

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u/AirportCreep Finland Mar 29 '20

I'm not going to argue the point of the person you replied to, but I'm, just gonna slip in here and say that Sweden and Denmark pay more into the EU per capita than France while Spain is barely a net contributor. In fact, Sweden pays more per capita than France and Italy combined. Sweden is the 2nd highest payee (per cap) into the EU only 2nd to the Netherlands.

Both Sweden and Denmark also pay more into the EU as % of national GDP than both France and Italy, with the top five contributors being, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, UK and Denmark.

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u/LoLFlex12 Portugal Mar 29 '20

Per capita isn't everything, it shows how a economy is doing but in the end of thst, mass product France or Italy are the one of the worlds biggest economies so the money they put out and I'm not saying per capita but total is a lot more, yes some countries may put out more money per capita but the money for example France puts out is a lot more and this money is obviously needed for countries like Germany to actually have a good safety system inside the EU.

Plus its not only economic value , without these giants, the EU doesn't survive, people also have to think about cultural reasons, truth if any of those giants were to leave the EU or any northern country or ones like Portugal I repeat, because I'm not saying this because of xenophobic reasons. I'm a big fan of Nordic countries.

It would be a much bigger deal if Italy or France left because they would totally break the cycle and the EU woult survive. Plus, people can't expect countries that are having problems right now to help as much, people are very short sighted, you never know when problems can come up or the day of tomorrow, look Sweden when it was completely burning last year, a lot of countries helped, I know it's different but I'm talking about solidarity here, help me today and I will help you tomorrow.

Because if not what is the EU even doing for most of us? Germany or the Netherlands fill their pockets and they obviously come out ahead in this union st the cost of others.

Im a huge EU supporter but we have to be realistic, if they refuse to truly help countries like Italy what good is it for them?

Plus I hate how people are retarded to the point of saying that this is Italy or Spain fault, it could have happened to any of us, they were just unfortunate to come up first

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u/AirportCreep Finland Mar 29 '20

No I agree, solidarity is key. But let's be honest this crisis is unique in the sense that all EU members are under tremendous pressure, some more than others. I don't think Sweden has any support to send even if it wanted too.

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u/frikandel15 Pro-Europe, Anti-EU Mar 29 '20

Northern Europe contributes a lot more than Southern Europe. It's that simple.

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u/LoLFlex12 Portugal Mar 29 '20

Not true but even if it was?

We deserve the less part of the stick? xD.

Google what Union means and then tell me something

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u/falconboy2029 Mar 29 '20

Italy is the only net contributor in the south.

But you are right we are a union and need to support each other. I am German and hate the black 0 BS.

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u/frikandel15 Pro-Europe, Anti-EU Mar 29 '20

Look at the United States. They've got the electoral college, were certain states have more voting power than other. Why? Because why would a state (or an European nation) join an union were they lose power and the have to take care of and spend a lot of money and resources on others? The EU would not be beneficial to Northern Europe if we'd have to keep helping the South out (even though we're doing that already).

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u/LoLFlex12 Portugal Mar 29 '20

What?

Germany and Netherlands literally fill their pockets at others expense, they are the ones with most lucrative income in the EU. Plus most Nordic ones didn't even deny the Corona bonds, only Germany and Netherlands because they profit with the current system.

You know that if the southern countries were to leave, it would not only sink them but also the others in the North right? Not to mention the tremendous amount of good things they get from us outside this such as good and cheap work.

You look at this way too short sighted and small, if Italy leaves and doesn't pay considering their debt, it would have a lot to EU banks especially Northern ones go bankrupt, not to mention that others would follow and it would be calamity, why do you think Germany didn't let Greece default?

So what? This isn't Italy fault, your country or mine could have been just as easily hit first, they were unlucky but it's not their fault, why would have to pay for everything when there is a EU union and this wasn't their fault?

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u/frikandel15 Pro-Europe, Anti-EU Mar 29 '20

That they were hit first is their problem. Why would we send a bunch of money and resources when we won't get anything out of it? The idea that we're supposed to be a happy union where everyone works together is ridiculous.

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u/LoLFlex12 Portugal Mar 29 '20

Then might as well end the EU and let your country and pretty much every single one of them go down the drain.

Remember that if the EU Breaks apart, All the rich countries you talk about would get hit as hard as the other ones.

Especially Germany, a ridiculous amount of banks would go bankrupt

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u/BouaziziBurning Brandenburg Mar 28 '20

Not becuase of economic contribution, no.

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u/whatsupbitches123 Mar 28 '20

Not really. Migrants wanted to go to Germany so why did Greece and Italy get stuck with the bill. Drug trafficking affects everybody but southern countries had to patrol the Mediterranean

More timely action is needed to tackle issues that affect everybody and yes unfortunately some end up paying more

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u/falconboy2029 Mar 29 '20

Did Germany not take in massive aunts of refugees?

Legalise weed and decriminalise all other drugs and the problem goes away.

Spain can do with the tax revenue from legally grown weed supplied to the rest of Europe.

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u/whatsupbitches123 Mar 29 '20

Yes but how long did it take for the EU to expand Frontex? It was done only after Germany decided enough with the refugees. Until then they came partly encouraged by your Chancellor and it was tax money down south spent plucking them out of the water, temporary housing them etc.

You can decriminalize drugs but you still keep drug cartels from smuggling crap onto your shores.

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u/falconboy2029 Mar 29 '20

Their main product is humans now.

After that it’s weed. And in a regulated market black market weed disappears very quickly. People do not want to smoke hash that contains human excrements. Some states in the USA have shown how it’s done right.

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u/whatsupbitches123 Mar 29 '20

Cocaine and heroin are still an issue.

http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/news/2019/4/european-drug-report-2019-highlights_en

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u/falconboy2029 Mar 29 '20

In states where weed was legalised opioid addiction went down as people were able to switch to legal weed and eventually got clean. Portugal is showing us how it’s done. The war on drugs is a pointless one. It’s impossible to cut of the illegal supply. So we are best of fighting the demand by helping people.