BREAKING NEWS: EUROPE IS LAUNCHING HER OWN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE FOR THE US ELECTION IN 2008
One of the hardest things to get across to folks in the States is how powerful the U.S. is abroad. You can't live in Europe without being reminded that the U.S.A. is the current empire - with its policy, both foreign and domestic, impacting every facet of life over here.
This creates a great amount of frustration as there is no direct representation for the average 'Eurocit' in U.S. corridors of power. Imagine, Dear American Reader, being governed from a far place not your own, with the popular culture, food and politics surrounding you stemming from this strange land - yet your own self having no ability to influence this foreign county's policy.
The 'Eurocit' can't vote in the U.S. yet has to deal the consequences of American action - whether it's blow-back from the criminal war in Iraq, the deleterious effects of colossal American energy use or, God help us, Oceans 13.
Both the individual and the mass can only endure this imbalance for so long. What should the great peoples of Europe do? Protest at Embassies? Boycott American goods and services? Or...something much more interesting?
Which brings us to the Europe 2008 Exploratory Committee. Created by PNEC, (the Project for a New European Century - a well known, influential European Think Tank), the Committee is sending representatives to the U.S. in July to find a native-born candidate to run for president in 2008 on a platform of issues vitally important to Europe. As stated in their press release these include:
* Enhanced international cooperation through bodies like the UN and EU
* To leave the case of Iran for Europe to deal with
* Withdrawing all US troops from Iraq, replacing them with UN forces and European intellectuals
* Quick implementation of the Kyoto protocol with a further pledge to cut greenhouse emissions by 50% in 2050
* Recommit Federal Government to the rule of law
* Recommit the US to the International Criminal Court treaty and 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties
* The immediate closure of the detention facility in Guantanamo Bay and all similar facilities outside of US jurisdiction
* A universal national single-payer health care system
* Cutting federal funding for faith-based initiatives and charitable choice programs
* Banning religiously-based curricula in government-funded public schools
* Slashing all tariffs on European-make vehicles
* Limiting bans on indoor smoking
* Increasing federal funding of stem cell research, abolishing all restrictions
* An ambitious federal programme of subsidies for soccer and cricket schools across the nation
I think you'll agree that, while ambitious, the initiatives listed above are necessary and undoubtedly would go a long way in making the U.S. not only more 'Eurocentric', and therefore less unsettling, but also a more 'Responsible Global Partner' and ally in the coming war with our true enemies.
To find out how you can help, contact Senior PNEC Press Officer Simon Robertsen at:
Tel: +44 (0)7946 733 092
Tel: +44 (0)7812 796 740
Fax: +44 (0)8701 349 567
or visit the 'Europe for President 2008' website:
I'll keep you posted as events develop Dear Reader. Before this is over I'm sure you agree with PNEC Chairman Thomas Altheimer when he said "America. It's just too important to leave to the Americans!"
(Photo at top: PNEC Chairman Thomas Altheimer meeting with US State Department officials from Karen Hughes’ office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs in March 2006.)
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