Chipmaker Intel has decided that it knows what's best for the people of Ireland, and asked them to vote in favor of the Lisbon Treaty.

The Lisbon Treaty is basically the EU's proposed constitution, although they're no longer calling it that, mainly because the original constitution was rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005. Basically, Eurocrats rebranded it and are now trying to secure its acceptance by nations who aren't thrilled by the prospect of giving away a part of their sovereignty to the Union.

So, Intel has stepped in to help the EU, the same EU that levied a €1.06 billion fine against it a few months back. The company has taken out full-page ads in Irish newspapers calling voters to say yes to Lisbon. The Irish, being the proud and self-conscious people they are, voted against the treaty in early 2008.

Intel's ad reads much like Nokia advertising: "With its vast market and endless opportunities, Stay Connected to Europe". There's the blue on white Intel logo, and "Supporting Lisbon" at the bottom. Ireland really isn't connected to Europe in the classic sense. First of all, it's an island. Secondly, the Irish never really bought into much of Europe's fun, family activities, World Wars for example.

In recent years Ireland's economic boom was mainly attributed to investments by US-based tech companies, including industry giants such as Intel, HP, Dell and many others. However, in spite of the prospect of further investments, the Irish left isn't too keen about the EU treaty, as they fear it would liberalise labour legislation and lower wages for Irishmen, and women. A far cry from those NINA signs and ads from the mid 19th-century. The far right, on the other hand, is concerned that godless European heathens would use the treaty to undermine Ireland's abortion ban.

Be as it may, Intel currently employs 4,500 people in Ireland, making quad leaf clovers in 65nm and 90nm. Total Intel investments in Ireland over the past two decades have surpassed the $6 billion mark. That amounts to around a thousand bucks per every man, woman and child in the magnificent land of gentle, rolling hills, lousy poets and good music. I know I would sell my vote for a lot less than that.