Off Topic UK / EU Future

I'm a middle of the road sort of guy, hopefully not as boring as dear old Vince.

Has the poor old chap disappeared?

 

I am afraid that my English accent gave me away, as despite wishing to get away from Brexit while on holiday, I was frequently asked about the collective madness that has overtaken parts of the UK. It becomes difficult to explain why when you cannot see any reasoning behind it. You can try the sovereignty tack, but it makes little sense when the person you are speaking to says that they haven't lost any. You can try the immigration argument but then you are asked why don't you pass laws to make it difficult for people from outside the EU to go to England. It is well understood that EU freedom to travel is for work, and without work you can ask them to leave. "You pay companies to do lots of government jobs, so why don't you want to pay the EU to do jobs for you?" "Who will pay the unemployed when their companies move into the EU?" At this point you revert to your best shrug, and say that you don't understand either.

 

They were obviously speaking to the wrong person, I will enlighten our long suffering Greek friends later this week during my hols to Halkidiki. Although I'm sure most Greeks will already understand the damage the EU has wreaked on their country.

 

How are the Greek language lessons coming along at your evening classes?

 

?

 

I think you've forgotten what Greece was like before being in the EU. It was a military dictatorship - in fact the first Greeks to come to Germany were refugees. The reason behind their problems lies with the fact that they pursued neo liberal economic practices for too long, and the most profitable parts of their economy (shipping) were able to evade the proper taxation for so long. In fact there is probably a great deal of money 'missing' from the Greek budget which has been laundered in the City of London from various shipping magnates. The Greeks need help in recovering their money from these crooks.

 

Greek not Arabic...

 

Our friend just speaks English everywhere, and if the locals don't understand he just speaks it more loudly !

 

I very much doubt the Greeks had the present massive level of unemployment and abject poverty before they embarked on the fatal EU experiences.

 

So a dictatorship is better in your opinion than democracy. You will of course discuss this point at length with some of the locals.

 

Fortunately English is by far the favoured language in the developed world, especially the 5 star resorts I frequent.

I will dutifully explain the merits of Brexit to Greeks, Spaniards, and Portuguese during the rest of 2018. All have suffered being part of the failed Euro experiment.

 

Many Greeks would probably agree with that especially as they refer the Germans as their new dictators.

 

Tourists in Greece: 'Don't tell the cook we're German' | World news ...https://www.theguardian.com/.../tourists-in-greece-dont-tell-the-cook-were-german

 

Three year old articles that are so out of date now are hardly worth using to make a point.

 

You need to read recent reports on how bad things are for the average Greek suffering form extreme austerity. You don't seem to mind austerity inflicted on others.

Greek bailout drama 'in last throes' but the hardship is not over yet ...https://www.theguardian.com/world/.../greece-bailout-drama-curtain-falls-hardship-over

 

"The Greek economy is poised to expand 2% and 2.4% this year and next, enough for Brussels to hail the halting recovery a success story."

Remind me what are the growth predictions for the UK economy.

 

That is laughable calling the horrendous state of Greece's economy a 'success story' . This is to hide their guilt in imposing such misery on a nation. If you actually read the Guardian article you will find tax is currently 70% with taxes on property so high people are refusing to inherit family homes.

This actually shows why many consider Brussels to be completely out of touch with reality.

 

You'll spend your holidays talking to everyone about Brexit? That should be exciting!

 

Their economy was a total basket case, on the verge of total collapse. There are still difficult times ahead for the country, but at least with the help of the EU and IMF they are moving in a positive direction. This is all so different to the UK where you actually want the people to be poorer. You have said that you know Brexit will have that effect, but it doesn't bother you. We have already seen the UK fall down the table of leading economies, and with the poor growth expected it will fall further. Still we see that the cult figures from the ERG have suddenly seen reality, and are proposing that the EU customs officials be placed in the UK. Frictionless trade is what was promised. How as their official spokesman on here will this work? Will they need visas? Will they be counted in immigration figures? Will they have freedom to travel in and out of the UK to work as many have currently?