Joe,
you already got any reply I could give, and i dont see a need to repeat myself again. Needless to say that I reject every point you made, and totally disagree with you, both in detail and on the general issue.
To make that clear, that is no personal hostility by me, but simply the way it is.
Ironically now they start to talk about what just weeks before was impossible to be spoken out: they mention different conceptions of a core-Europe that before was considered to be unsolidaric and subversive to be even mentioned. I talked of a core europe since YEARS. Unfortunately, they want this core europe depending on this same damn nemesis of a constitution - and so again I will totally confront them, no matter if a core europe or Europe of two speeds, or whatever.
P.S. I strictly stick and defend that quote by me that you started with. If the EU has one problem outshining all others, than it's biblic distance to reality, and exaggerated positive self-perception on issue going beyond economics.