the UK and the EU

Discussion in 'Off Topic' started by IIIIxX-IW_RI0_IW-XxIIII, Nov 17, 2014.

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  2. When in doubt I always look to Sir Humphrey Appleby and Yes Minister

    Sir Humphrey Appleby: Minister, Britain has had the same foreign policy objective for at least the last 500 years: to create a disunited Europe.
    In that cause we have fought with the Dutch against the Spanish, with the Germans against the French, with the French and Italians against the Germans, and with the French against the Germans and Italians. Divide and rule, you see. Why should we change now, when it's worked so well?

    James Hacker: That's all ancient history, surely.

    Sir Humphrey Appleby: Yes, and current policy. We had to break the whole thing up, so we had to get inside. We tried to break it up from the outside, but that wouldn't work. Now that we're inside we can make a complete pig's breakfast of the whole thing: set the Germans against the French, the French against the Italians, the Italians against the Dutch. The Foreign Office is terribly pleased; it's just like old times.

    James Hacker: Surely we're all committed to the European ideal.

    Sir Humphrey Appleby: Really, Minister.
    [laughs]

    James Hacker: If not, why are we pushing for an increase in the membership?

    Sir Humphrey Appleby: Well, for the same reason. It's just like the United Nations, in fact. The more members it has, the more arguments it can stir up. The more futile and impotent it becomes.

    James Hacker: What appalling cynicism.

    Sir Humphrey Appleby: Yes. We call it diplomacy, Minister.
     
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  4. Look at the European countries that are not in the EU and never has been; Switzerland, Norway and Iceland.

    Don't know much about Switzerland's government and such but I know Norway is a welfare state. And one of the most successful ones in the world. They charge high taxes to their citizens but in return they get things in return like free healthcare free public education.

    I read an article about taxes there and it's around 20-30% government tax on food and insane government decided prices for alcohol and tobacco to try to make the population not buy them but they still do. What populations doesn't?

    Income tax in Norway varies but it's higher for the richer but for the average Norwegian it's starting at around 30-40% and I've seen as high as 60% in som articles for the rich Norwegians.

    Do take into account that Norwegians aren't less wealthier than average people who live in for ex the US, the UK or Germany. They are in fact wealthier due to their higher average salaries (with taxes applied) which is crazy…

    …and all that whilst not being a part of the EU. Though they are a member of the EEZ (I think that's what it's called - European Economical Zone) which grants them some pros and cons here and there.


    Norway's neighbors Sweden, Denmark and Finland are also successful welfare states but they're in the EU. I've heard that there are a lot of Swedes and Danes that want out though. Don't know about Finland but from what I do (and don't know) they seem ok with it. So if the UK or any of Norway's neighbors were to leave I think they'd follow each other. Ex: UK leaves - Sweden, Denmark and Finland also leaves. Sweden, Denmark and Finland leaves - UK leaves.


    It's just a question about time before someone leaves IMO
     
  5. Your not no, but is it not nice to know you won't lose your life savings / house to pay for an illness in the future that's not at all your fault?
     
  6. The UK, NOT ENGLAND. You keep trying to make this about England. It's not. It's about all Brits.
     
  7. I'm not a brit, I'm English. Lol
     
  8. British, part of the united kingdom and common wealth, (anyone can be British, just get a passport ),I am English and proud of it, just like the jocks taffys and paddys are proud of there heritage, you ever here a Welshman or Scot say there British? Hell no lol
     
  9. Unfortunately for you, we're not talking about just england, we are talking about the UK. I'm proud to be English too, however I'm more proud to be british.
     
  10. Pftt passifist, lol 
     
  11. Time for tea and crumpets, maybe followed by a Melton pork pie
     
  12. Funny thing about a Melton Mowbray pork pie it's a PDO product of designated origins like an Arbroath smokie or champagne.

    That's a tiny little EU benefit mostly ignored. Of not for the EU you could make a pork pie in Greece ship it in stick a Melton Mowbray stickers on it and flog it.

    But yep EU does nothing ....
     
  13. It's homemade..... lol
     
  14. And we don't call them Melton mowbray pork pies duh
     
  15. Best ones are from the vale of belvoir or rutland, the franchise is m,m pork pies for the masses, except nonpork lovers....you no who you are...
     
  16. problem with none english degrees is simple - its not lower level (i can safely say more the oposite - greatly supperior to it) but the fact it was done in native, none english language. This mean if the guy/girl get in to the field- even if with fluent english communication skills - he/she have to learn brand new english again as all tech terms are new and mostly not used in common living situations. I had same problem at start when i came to my recent employment - automation, logistcal terms were nightmare first couple of months. peeps talk to me in terms i had no clue about lol
     

  17. Maybe your not, but maybe your family is, elder people in your family. Maybe you'll need the nhs at some point.
     
  18. @Maj.... lol.... superior.... degrees...from...Europe..... better...than...an....English...degree....lol....here...have...more...meds....
     
  19. It's rather subject dependant tbh. If only us English got free education in Scotland like the rest of the eu huh 
     
  20. I visit the last page from a topic such as this, and am greeted with talk about pork pies :lol: