I'm not sure what the actions of one nutter have to do with this. OK, I'm for out. Most people I know are. If rumours are correct from those handling the postal votes made early there is a lead for the Brexit. I predict a very close one, say 52-48 to REMAIN unfortunately. Cowardice and fear of change will be decisive.
OK say we have a cul-de-sac of 28 houses (for the 28 E-USSR states) They are all detached. All independent. Bertrand the Belgian invites us all to a barbecue. He says:
"Guys, I have an idea! As we are mostly friendly, why don't we become one big happy family? We all leave our front doors open, and tear down our walls and fences. John Smith and Hans Schmidt, you two have the biggest houses and earn most money. Poor old Petr the Pole earns a third a third of your household income. If you guys chuck him some of your money, he can make it nice like yours!"
John Smith: "What the f*ck?"
Betrand: "No, listen, once you've given them all some money, they will become wealthier and might buy your goods from you!"
John Smith: "Might buy - he doesn't have to? So, I give those houses some of my own money, so they MAY buy my goods with my f*cking money! Plus if he chooses he can walk through my front door and take up one of my rooms? Piss-off Bertrand."
Hans Schmidt: "How cool Bertrand. You see, ahemm...a few decades ago we were a bit naughty and smashed-up Francois' house, Petr's house, Ruud's house, Bertrand's House, Pavel's house and a little bit of John Smith's. OK, it meant ours got totally demolished and had to be rebuilt but it is the best one in the close now. Brand new! What better way to assuage my guilt - sort of late reparations. Plus I can get you all to spend bucks with my name behind them. Right on!"
Bertrand: "That's really cool Hans, brilliant! The rest of you, I can see you all smiling"
John Smith: "So get this straight. I open my doors. I let you walk in. I pay for the privilege. You lot get to make the rules in my fucking house. You give me back half what I pay in but with the stipulation it must be spent on what you tell me. I end up poorer, with god-knows who sleeping in the room next to my kids. When my house is full I have to pay to extend it. And then you'll tell me I'm 'richer' because my house is bigger and more income is coming in? Bertrand, I built your poxy little house back in the 1800's when Francois tried to take it from you on his way to Russia."
Hans: "Come now, don't be like that. Things have changed now. We are at peace. Plus if you get short of labour we'll give millions of highly-educated and law-abiding Arabs. Afghans and Africans residency and send them over to you later. You can't lose!"
John Smith; "Bertrand, Hans and the rest of you mugs. Hans, I like your cars. Betrand, I like your chocolate. Francois, I like your wine and cheese. Juan, I like holidaying in your house. I also like buying stuff from Sam over the sea, and Wo Lok in China. You see I'm free to do all this already. I have money, and the natural will to trade and profit and buy and sell is omnipresent worldwide. I don't need to be pay to be in a club. I don't need layers of rules or restrictions. I don't need your kids to do the work my kids can do. I have enough weapons in the cellar to wipe you and most of the world out, so I don't feel unsafe without you guys. So without using two English words you'll all understand, I'll decline this crazy offer. Evening gents..."
You see, if this E-USSR nonsense had been implemented in one go and not crept uP on us, would we as a people have ever allowed it? NO - IT'S MADNESS!!!