Reasons to Vote Yes?

[free-man]

It seems that while there are many reasons to vote no and few reasons to vote Yes it would be interesting to determine why people are planning on voting yes to Lisbon II.

It appears there are 2 camps:

1. Politicians / Gravy trainers
- These people have something to gain from the yes vote either financially or
career-wise

2. Scared Public
- This camp either blindly trusts our leadership or believes that we need to
keep Europe 'on side' as otherwise we could face 'consequences' like lack
of aid and the political cold shoulder from the elites of Europe or a 'two
speed' Europe

Are there any that I have missed?

[forest]

How about those who just believe in the EU and in Europe believe we are best in and have a connection to the rest of our continent
Generation E

[lapsedmethodist]

It seems that while there are many reasons to vote no and few reasons to vote Yes it would be interesting to determine why people are planning on voting yes to Lisbon II.

It appears there are 2 camps:

1. Politicians / Gravy trainers
- These people have something to gain from the yes vote either financially or
career-wise

2. Scared Public
- This camp either blindly trusts our leadership or believes that we need to
keep Europe 'on side' as otherwise we could face 'consequences' like lack
of aid and the political cold shoulder from the elites of Europe or a 'two
speed' Europe

Are there any that I have missed?

Yes.

[johnfás]

How about...

1. The amended Article 11 requires that the institutions of the Union give citizens and their representative associations the opportunity to make known and publicly exchange their views in all area of Union action. The same Article requires that the institutions must maintain open and transparent dialogue with civil society and the ability of 1 million Union Citizens of a significant number of member states to submit a petition to the Commission to submit a proposal on matters relating to the implementation of the Treaty.

2. Article 12 of the TEU as amended will provide an enhanced role for domestic parliaments - national parliaments will have the right to have draft legislative Acts of the Union forward to them. National Parliaments will have the power to go to the European Courts to ensure that the principle of subsidiarity is complied with, they will also have the right to participate in the revision of the Treaties.

There is two issues for starters but of course you can't really shorten them to a soundbite such as "It will bring in abortion" - this being the greatest difficulty for the Yes side and one of the best reasons for a guy like Dick Roche not to lead it.

[BaudrillardNeverExisted]

How about those who just believe in the EU and in Europe believe we are best in and have a connection to the rest of our continent
Generation E

Because the treaty is as much about being a member of the EU as it is about three year old being conscripted into a European abortion army.

There was a real lack of Yes arguments along the lines of "Article 15, that's great!" last time. It was more along the lines of "Article 15 isn't that bad": a reason not to oppose it but not a reason to support it.

[free-man]

Ok so:

3. Euro Fans

- This group genuinely believes Lisbon II will be a positive influence on Europe and that Europe is not heading down a federalist path. The group believes in transparency and democracy (after Lisbon II is passed) and feels that a more efficient Europe will be in the national interest (not just financially).

Is it fair to say that group 3 are in a significant minority of the yes camp?

If not what percentages would you assign to each group.

[BaudrillardNeverExisted]

Ok so:

3. Euro Fans

- This group genuinely believes Lisbon II will be a positive influence on Europe and that Europe is not heading down a federalist path. The group believes in transparency and democracy (after Lisbon II is passed) and feels that a more efficient Europe will be in the national interest (not just financially).

Is it fair to say that group 3 are in a significant minority of the yes camp?

If not what percentages would you assign to each group.

I'm sure group 3 accounts for a substantial number of the yes-voters, but I suspect a similar (if not greater) number are in group 2. Certainly, the campaign has been based on bringing people into group 2 rather than group 3 by conflating the Lisbon Treaty with continued membership of the EU and the eurozone. It may work in the short-term - remember how Bush successfully conflated 9/11 and Iraq? Unfortunately, the Americans get a chance every two years to punish their politicians for cynical conflation, once the Lisbon treaty is ratified we won't get a chance to undo it.

[Mr.De-Regulation]

Lets see Lisbon will bring in.
-Greater financial regulation.
-Green technologies.
-Advancement in science.
-Less sex trafficking.

[CookieMonster]

How about those who just believe in the EU and in Europe believe we are best in and have a connection to the rest of our continent
Generation E

Well that's not really a reason to vote yes, because that's the case as it is and won't change if we don't vote yes.

I'm not voting no because we've no choice on the matter, It's a sham referendum. I'm vot voting yes either. I will, for the first time in my life abstain.

[Almanac]

There are none.