Les Enfants Terrible

WITH FRENCH PUBLIC OPINION leaning strongly away from ratifying the EU Constitution, the constitution itself is receiving more international scrutiny. EU-Serf digs into a Forbes article that illustrates how many of the 'positive rights' that socialists adore are encompassed in the document, and also notes what is mysteriously missing.

The charter, proclaimed at an EU summit in 2000 and now incorporated into the provisional EU Constitution, comprises a blizzard of rights: rights for children, for women (they have a right to preference in areas wherein they are underrepresented), for asylum-seekers, for workers and employers (both are said to have a right to collective bargaining), for murderers (they have a right not to suffer capital punishment) and for the disabled. There is a right to marry, a right to privacy, a right to a good education and a lot more--including a right to freedom of expression. These rights are enumerated in 53 articles.

Indeed, the EU Constitution is far more complicated than the American version, which defies the logic that a government 'by and for the people' should be a relatively simple proposition that allows everyone to participate. Another disturbing element of the EU Constitution is that it implies the logic of it's creators shall never be questioned or found in error.

But the final article is not a right. Headed "Prohibition of abuse of rights," it states: "Nothing in this Charter shall be interpreted as implying any right to engage in any activity … aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms recognized in this Charter or at their limitation."

In other words, free speech is not permitted. There is no implied right to "engage in any activity...aimed at the destruction," of any rights contained within the constitution. Any attempt to change the document could be considered an 'abuse of rights.' As EU-Serf points out, the EU Constitution is less a document for the people than it is "an attempt at a permanent Social Democratic Revolution."

And, doesn't that explain perfectly why the American left is so in love with Europe, and it's constitution? If there is any doubt, read this entry about liberal 'new millenium' goals for our constitution and judicial system. You will find some disturbing similarities.