Here is the problem: Europeans do not think of themselves as 'Europeans' yet. We're first Dutch, German, French, Irish, British and Italian, and then were are European. Another problem is this: the European government is too far away. A third problem is that Europeans feel that the process is going way too fast. European politicians want to transform Europe within 20 years time. That's nice, but the people aren't ready for it.

Fourthly, yes the list goes on, Europe is incredibly unpopular because Brussels is constantly messing with domestic affairs. Brussels seem to be of the somewhat idiotic opinion that it can decide about everything, and that someone sitting far far away can tell people what to do, and what not to do. Related to this point is the popular view that Brussels isn't doing anything big, but instead focusing on minor details. Should people be allowed to eat this? Are they allowed to call this food like that? Shouldn't there be a special sticker on those kinds of foods? Should people be allowed to smoke in cafes? And so on.

Furthermore, although it seems that Brussels is one when it comes to irrelevant issues, it seems to be incapable of uniting when it comes to the big issues of the day. See Iraq.

Then there is the minor issue of the Euro. Most Dutch, at the very least, believe that the Euro has made daily life considerably more expensive. Yet, we were told that this would not be the case. It was only after the Euro was implemented here in the Netherlands that we found out that our government had agreed to a ludicrous exchange rate. The Germans paid relatively little for the Euro, while we paid relative much. This while the German Mark and Dutch Guilder were almost worth the same before the Euro came along (if I'm not mistaken, only a difference of 10% back then; 1 guilder was 1.10 mark).

Lastly, people get the impression that Europe is becoming too powerful, while they cannot influence anything that happens in Brussels. They have opinions, but Brussels is one big bureaucratic mess, or so the people believe.

But all those concerns have been shoved aside. Instead of listening to the concerns of the people, European politicians have tried to push through laws that would make the situation even worse. Instead of bringing Europe to the people, they continue to present Europe as something that people cannot really influence. Something that's 'above them.'

So, is it surprising that the Irish say no? Of course not. Until European politicians bring Europe to the people, the people - when asked about further coordination and unity in Europe - will say no.

Michael blogs daily at PoliGazette.com