xD.

“1. Articles 111-69, 70, 77, 144 and 180 all identically repeat that the Union will act ‘in conformity with the respect for the principles of an open economic market where competition is free.’

2. There are numerous clauses that specifically correspond to demands made by certain employer organisations.

3. The ECT demands unanimous voting for any measures that might go against corporate interests. This is the certainly case for measures against tax fraud, or taxation of companies. Such legislative movement in this regard requires a unanimous vote as, above all, “[it is] necessary for the functioning of the internal market and to avoid distortion of competition.” (111-63). Thus, any future proposed duty imposed on corporations would be subject to unanimous voting - something the Ouistes regularly trot out as being reduced under the ECT.

4. Shockingly, the ECT demands all states’ subservience to NATO: ‘[M]ember states shall undertake progressively to improve their military capacities.’ (1-40-3). Article 1-40-2 says that European defence policy shall be compatible with members’ NATO obligations, a direct recognition of the superior judicial status of that military organisation. Furthermore, the article continues with even greater precision that “participating member states shall work in close collaboration with NATO”. Even in situations of “internal serious disturbances affecting public order, in cases of war or of [...] the threat of war”, member states are obliged to work together in order to avoid “affecting” the functioning of the “internal market”! (III-16)’

5. Perhaps most disturbing in the ECT is clause 17 of the third section, regarding the question of the break-up of public services: It is permitted that a member state can be in favour of maintaining a public service. But public services have: “the effect of distorting the conditions of competition in the internal market, [and] the Commission shall, together with the state concerned, examine how these steps can be adjusted to the rules laid dawn in the Constitution. By derogation of common law procedure, the Commission or any member state can apply directly to the Court of Justice which will sit in secret…” (III-17)’ Thus the constitution from the start commits member states to the ultimate elimination of public services.”

(from the Apostate Windbag)

xD.

If you’re going to ask people to “read the constitution”, you’d better be prepared to deal with questions about its explicitly pro free-market content.

The signs are looking good for Sunday, however.

Absolutely agree. Fortunately, it’s not what I said.