I wonder how many of us think the US is still a very special ally of the UK after Mr. Edward Snowden's leaks. Of course I talk of the below....
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... 52747.html
As for the EU. It's gone through tough times. We haven't had an influx of anyone from Romania or Bulgaria in 2007 or 2008. Maybe if we believe the scaremongering from UKIP we may get a huge influx in 2014 after Jan 1st?? Time will tell
The EU has gone through very tough times. Economically more so of recent. It's not it's fault but rather national leaders who by no fault of their own really are looking out for their own interests nationally. We can't ask Angela Merkel and Germany to give more aid to Greece because it's strong economically. She knows her electorate would note stand for that so she is constrained by her position.
The next few years are critical for the EU now but if it can survive an economic and national crisis. It can survive war. Anything Russia would like to throw at it too.
The UK referendum will be interesting too. Let's hope we see a both sides for and against the EU properly represented. People aren't educated on enough of the benefits of the EU so unfortunately we see what UKIP do in the papers or TV screens. For me Mr. Farage is full of hot air. I see this when it's his turn to speak and he so readily insults other people in the EU parliament mocking them.
Hope everyone is okay.
Dirk, I can't believe I didn't see you message a few years sooner!
I agree. Loss of soverinity is a non issue. In fact the EU does so much to protect it! Lots of exclusive foods such as Brie, Fenland Celery and Melton Mowbray Pork Pies are protected under EU law to prohibit the names being manufactured and sold elsewhere.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melton_Mow ... der_the_EU
Come on guys, we all know that protectionism leads to collapse and is completely un-economically viable.
True, True, True. We may have to learn this the hard way though. Our government cannot lead and some of our people are near indoctrinated.
"Practical men who believe themselves to be quite exempt from any intellectual influence, are usually the slaves of some defunct economist. Madmen in authority, who hear voices in the air, are distilling their frenzy from some academic scribbler of a few years back" - John Maynard Keynes