nobody cares

Politicians all over the world wonder why Mister Obama remains quite a popular president, despite the fact that a lot of jobs are being lost in the States at the moment (and more to come).

This week we had a European summit in Brussels. A lot of farmers were present. On their tractors. Several (especially the German ones) had been driving for two days to get there. They want fair prices for milk. They want their own sector regulated and reformed so those that remain (and all of them want to be one of those of course) can survive and make a living. An admirable point of view.

This week we had a European summit in Brussels. Mister (soon to be called president) Barroso almost shed a tear because he was unanimously chosen to remain chairman of the European commission (the government). He forgot to mention that several countries do not really support him ... but chose to remain quiet and not cause disent. Tears were not quite necessary.

This week we had a European summit in Brussels. Ireland promises to have a second referendum on the Lisbon treaty (which gives more power to the central European government). A second referendum on the same issue ? With exactly the same question ? As in we do not like the result those idiot voters gave us, so let us try again until the result is what we want ? If this is Europe, maybe tears are necessary after all !

Nobody, not mister Barroso, not a single European leader, nobody, ... took the time to meet a delegation of the farmers. In fact their issue was not even discussed. It was not on the agenda. Nobody took the time to acknowledge their presence, nobody but the Belgian commuters being blocked by the tractors on the main roads to Brussels. They might just as well not have bothered coming at all (the farmers, the commuters obviously had no choice). If this is Europe, maybe tears are necessary after all !

Not every politician is like Mister Obama. Our own Prime Minister is as 'grey' as they come and the last thing I want him to do is start kissing babies in an attempt to get less 'grey' (I'd seriously worry about the babies he kissed). However, Mister Obama listened to people (Joe the plumber being a famous example) during his campaign and - amazing - he listens still. That doesn't mean every decision he takes is popular, that doesn't mean he agrees with everything. It means he listens. There, another mystery solved, maybe somebody will learn from it. Especially Europe needs to learn it. Quickly.