Washington Post: It's History That's Tearing the E.U. Apart

Washington PostIt's History That's Tearing the E.U. Apart

Over the past few weeks, the pro-Europe talking heads on French television have been busy poking fun at French fears of the "proverbial Polish plumber" who is ready to steal jobs from the locals. But how the pundits can argue that he is only proverbial is beyond me. If you want to test the theory, try living in a Paris apartment that needs repainting, as mine did a few weeks ago. Get estimates. French workmen will propose to do the job for 10,000 euros. The Polish painter? He can do it for 800 euros. Tomorrow. He doesn't ask for health insurance or social security, either. And this in a country where there is already 10 percent unemployment. If I were a French house painter or plumber, I would have voted non, too. These are problems a truly united Europe will have to face and solve if it wants to get ahead. There is no turning back.