@Walter Hinteler,
No, Walter, it's not like the United States at all, and the United Kingdom is not like the United States, either, or wasn't when it was formed. The Senate was created to reassure the small states (small in population) that they would not be overwhelmed by large population states. The Senate, where representation is equal (each state has two Senators), has the sole power to consent to appointments to executive branch offices (the equivalent of ministers in Europe). That was a significant issue in the 18th century. In 1641, the Long Parliament impeached Thomas Wentworth, the Earl of Strafford, and he was condemned and executed. Bishop Laud was impeached and then imprisoned, and was executed (eventually) in 1645. John Finch, Lord Keeper of the Seal, was impeached, and with the permission of Charles I, fled to Holland to avoid imprisonment or execution.
Executive appointments were, therefore, considered extremely important, and that was why giving that power to the Senate was an issue of state sovereignty. No treaty can be ratified or rescinded without the approval of two thirds of the Senate--so the sovereignty of the states, represented equally, is preserved in foreign affairs as well.
Earlier in this thread, i asked some questions about the appointment of people to office and the formulation of bills of legislation in the European Union--those questions were never answered.
Additionally, Americans vote every November, whether it is a general election or not. They vote for township, municipal, county and state offices. They vote on tax levies, the issuance of bonds and ballot initiatives. In that respect, the sovereignty of the people is exercised. I have yet to see anyone here demonstrate that the sovereignty of states or the people is respected and exercised in the European Union.
No, the European Union is not at all like the United States.
