The Dutch Who Say "Nee"

I can't write that headline without thinking of the Knights Who Say Nee from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. That movie was funny.

The Dutch have joined the French in an even more resounding "no, non or nee" vote on the EU constitution (from Drudge):

Dutch voters worried about social benefits and immigration overwhelmingly rejected the European Union constitution Wednesday in what could be a knockout blow for a charter meant to create a power rivaling the United States.

With four-fifths of the votes counted, the charter was losing 62 percent to 39 percent, an even worse defeat than the 55 percent "no" vote delivered in a French referendum Sunday.

"Naturally, I'm very disappointed," Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende said in conceding defeat in his campaign for ratification and promised the government would respect the results.

The charter was designed to provide such trappings of statehood as a flag, a president and an anthem on what has largely been an economic bloc while creating a more integrated political entity of 450 million people with a bigger economy than America's.

Who wouldn't want a flag, a president and an anthem? Apparently a whole bunch of Dutch and French people. There's even talk that Germany is exploring ways to get out of using the Euro as its currency, as the Euro tumbles on the back-to-back defeats for the EU.

Looks like they may have to hold off awhile on that plan to rival the American economy.