The UK out of the EU. A momentous decision with implications that few of us, certainly not me, can appreciate. I feel it is a wrong decision, made on the flawed premise that certain recent problems would not have occurred if the UK had not been a memberstate of the EU. In a nutshell, I feel that Europe has made a step backward by 80 years. We are headed back into the bad old days of nationalism from the early 20th century. Nicola Sturgeon in Scotland has as good as announced another independence referendum. Geert Wilders in Holland wants a referendum there to quit the EU. Current polls suggest he could be heading up a government after next March's general elections there. Martin Maguinness wants a referendum on the unification of the island of Ireland. Has he forgotten the Troubles? No, he can't have done, he was a bomber back then.
The far right is in the ascendancy across Europe. Why? A flood of migrants. How come? Wars, poverty. Who brings those people to Europe's shore? No answer. Nobody knows, nobody does anything about it. Certainly David Cameron did nothing. The Europe of 2020 could well see an independent Scotland, a much diminished UK, and the EU in meltdown following exit-referendums across several of its memberstates. That is precisely what our friend in the Kremlin, Vladimir Vladimirovich, wants. Be afraid. Be very afraid. For who will say that it is not at his behest that the civil war in Syria is being propagated and the people smugglers of the Mediterranean encouraged. It is the flood of migrants (not just from Syria, by the way) that has prompted this looming crisis in the European Union. The Union of the 27 now face a real and existential threat. Look east and you'll see from who.
I'm sorry Guido, but as an American I'd rather fight a Putin than join with countries and societies that don't uphold my values and morals. This "we are the world" attitude is watering down the ideals that make life worth living. There is a saying here in Texas, "If you lie down with dogs, you'll get up with fleas." I am sick of the fleas of the world and their views and values watering down the very fabric of America. I suspect that is the feeling that led to the passing of the referendum.
ReplyDeleteBarbara from Life & Faith in Caneyhead
One of the reasons, Barbara. However, I am unhappy about this vote for reasons of history. The EU came about in the aftermath of two World Wars in Europe, to minimise divisions among countries. Brexit will serve to reverse this aim to some extent. I understand your alarm, but we're all part of this world and it's not possible to turn our backs on it. Problems have to be addressed at source, not dealt with by sticking our heads in the sand
DeleteScary times for all and uncertain too. I'm hoping for the best. Time will tell for all of us.
ReplyDelete