In response to an FT article by George Soros on 16th December 2015, entitled 'Nations work better when they work together, in Europe and beyond'
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/43b89d5c-a01e-11e5-beba-5e33e2b79e46.html#ixzz3uZQaNW1Z
"The EU is imperfect but it is preferable to a Europe dominated by Mr Putin’s Russia"
Nice try but no cigar - there are not only two options available, except from the mouth of a fool, or from someone selling something. Mr Soros is no fool.
When I read centrist guff like this it reminds me that whilst politicians are probably a necessary evil, I prefer to keep the little control freaks where I can see them, so that:
a) Their little 'games' and hidden agendas are more readily understood and brought to light
b) I can more easily remind them they haven't got a clue what they are talking about most of the time, particularly when it comes to understanding what I might want from them in exchange for paying tax
Mr Soros will have more luck destabilising regimes he doesn't like than he will in convincing me that he has my, or indeed Britain's best interests at heart. Whilst I don't speak for Britain, I still speak for myself - No thanks Mr Soros.
A fellow reader replied:
Very witty and amusing but you ignore the simple truth that once we leave the EU (and I believe that we will) a few things will happen:
1. we will still have to pay to be part of the trading bloc as Norway does since most of our trade is with the EU
2. we will need to quickly redefine how the City relates to the world outside the EU as it is vital to our economy
3. all the voters who say Yes to Leaving the EU will expect some immediate payback. What is it exactly?
4. UK leaves EU, cue Scottish referendum mark 2 with a Yes vote to secession. Cue years of stupid infighting as it will be a divorce after 300+ years so even more bitter than a normal one!
5. Witty ripostes are all very well but what is YOUR agenda? ;-)
MarkGB responded:
My agenda is to articulate a very personal 'no' to centralisation of power and/or 'ever closer union' with any globalist, federalist and/or elitist organisation whether it claims to be of the left, the right, or the centre. I don't trust big government of any description, especially the unelected branches of them...and I don't trust the people who work their way to the top of them or use their money to advocate for them in public and/or pull their strings in private. If I had to apply a label, I'd describe myself as a classical liberal - an endangered species perhaps :-)
On your points 1 - 5 - I think you've raised important issues, but I don't think they are disastrous or insurmountable.