Last week it was Gideon Rachman (FT) writing about ‘when Europe begins to melt at the edges’ and today it’s David McWilliams (Sunday Business Post) writing on ‘Fighting for our economic reputation’.  Rachman writes about the bind that countries find themselves in when they cannot devalue their currency (because they are part of the euro) and they cannot raise money at competitive rates.  There are limits to what any society may be willing to bear.  Rachman focuses on Southern Europe but makes passing reference to our difficulties in Ireland.  McWilliams references unhelpful comments from Barosso in Davos during the week and his (McWilliams) perception that we may be being targeted for some treatment at present by the British press.  However his comments seem to me not to be at odds with Rachman’s comments.  McWilliams seems to believe one of out best options may be to be part of the pack of EU countries with real problems – we all need a fix.  He also recognises that any bailout will eventually lead to tighter integration.