Not the European Federalism as we know it, but real European federalism : with a democratic federal government, elected by the European people and which has an effective power over national government. Why is it so hard to understand ? Why do you Euroskeptics systematically take commitment to the europeist ideal as a support to EU as it currently exists ? Why the possibility to reform EU and correct its flaws rather than outright disbanding it is always discarded ? This is what I don't understand.
The whole idea that the ideals behind the EU are sound and good, and it just need to be reformed to reach it's full potential just remind me of those girls who cling to abusive jerk boyfriends who thinks that they still have good hearts and that they're going to change... someday.
If you think you can actually change the union, good for you, but it won't happen. Brussels is an unmoving elephant, it makes D.C. look like a place of innovation and fast reform. It's not even able to abolish the rule that parliament should move between Brussels and Strasbourg twice every year even though everyone agrees it's stupid and just costs an unnecessary amount of money. You think the institution that can't even manage such minor reform will suddenly start to radicly change principles that are engraved in every single piece of EU legislation and precedent I have read? No, even if you believe that a European Federation is a necessity, surly you must see that the current federation is just standing in the way for such an institution to ever come about.
Of course I don't agree with you that a European Super State is necessary at all. We do have a problem with an aging population, yes, a major problem that could very well destroy our economy. But just adding all of our old folks together in one big happy federation won't make them any younger or solve the problem at all.
And as far as power go I couldn't care less if Europe remains a major world player. I know France and Germany has still not accepted their lost empires and the fact they can no longer go around telling everyone in the world how to run their own business. But the world will be fine even if the two are just small nations among other nations.