The European Union was supposed to mean a continent of nations united by democratic ideals. Instead power and decision making has become more concentrated and centralized. First it was Greece, then Spain threatening to pull out of the EU, now formerly great Britain is considering a “Brexit” from the EU. Guest Salon columnist Patrick Lawrence explains how the high idea became corrupted and has moved away from democracy. He says the EU has been powerful, but not strong. Of course it affects America in many ways.