I don't think that the UK leaving the EU is a good thing.

[IronEagle]

Next we will have Catalonia leaving Spain, Scotland leaving the UK. And also perhaps Northern Ireland thinking about unifying with the rest of the Island.

Not good to have instability in Europe right now, IMO.

[KenfromCanada]

Whether its a good or a bad thing might take several years to really show. This part I do know however. The EU has had many negative aspects and maybe the biggest reared its head with the immigrant crisis from Syria and Libya. With no borders in much of Europe it was a tidal wave of refugees. Much of Europe has been changed culturally since the EU has formed and many including my wife who is from The Netherlands will say it is for the worse. Propping up weak economies like Greece, Spain, and Italy has hurt it economically and dragged the stronger ones down. GB is the 5th largest economy in the world, does it need the EU?? In the short term I think it will hurt GB. Scotland with probably another separation vote to happen in the next year and possibly a Irish unification vote as well. The long term is unknown but this could be the beginning of the end of the current format of the EU.

[Irish George]

welll...

Next we will have Catalonia leaving Spain, Scotland leaving the UK. And also perhaps Northern Ireland thinking about unifying with the rest of the Island.

Not good to have instability in Europe right now, IMO.

Northern Ireland has always wanted a unified Eire as long as I can remember.

One thing I know for sure, at least in the short-term. My TIAA account and I think it is a bad thing.

[Susquehanna Birder]

Well said. The situation is certainly not as black and white as many portray it.

[Riccardo]

Who knows but it's their choice

I never understood why they never went to the Euro in the first place. A few other countries kept their currency as well if I recall - I know switzerland did

[JuTMSY4]

Hmm. I don't think the "Brexit" itself is that big of a deal. Perhaps neither are the things you referenced (Gibraltar and Spain being another), but you could be right.

I think the really bad part is what it signals - nationalism, anti-immigration and maybe just straight up racism. I'm with Ric in terms of the UK determining their own destiny and I can see the economic arguments. But, like Trump in the US, it's really a sign of nationalism and that can be based on very negative reasons.

That may ripple throughout the world.

[broadstreetparade]

It should be a wake up call to those who still think that there is no chance Trump will become President.

[IronEagle]

I never understood why they never went to the Euro in the first place. A few other countries kept their currency as well if I recall - I know switzerland did

Switzerland is not in the EU

[IronEagle]

Whether its a good or a bad thing might take several years to really show. This part I do know however. The EU has had many negative aspects and maybe the biggest reared its head with the immigrant crisis from Syria and Libya. With no borders in much of Europe it was a tidal wave of refugees. Much of Europe has been changed culturally since the EU has formed and many including my wife who is from The Netherlands will say it is for the worse. Propping up weak economies like Greece, Spain, and Italy has hurt it economically and dragged the stronger ones down. GB is the 5th largest economy in the world, does it need the EU?? In the short term I think it will hurt GB. Scotland with probably another separation vote to happen in the next year and possibly a Irish unification vote as well. The long term is unknown but this could be the beginning of the end of the current format of the EU.

England is the 5th largest economy in no small part because of their membership in the EU. Many foreign companies base operations there in order to gain access to the EU market.

But you're right, this vote wasn't so much about economics, it was more about culture and xenophobia.

Edit to add: The UK is no longer the world's 5th largest economy. http://www.express.co.uk/finance/cit...-pound-plunges

[IronEagle]

Hmm. I don't think the "Brexit" itself is that big of a deal. Perhaps neither are the things you referenced (Gibraltar and Spain being another), but you could be right.

I think the really bad part is what it signals - nationalism, anti-immigration and maybe just straight up racism. I'm with Ric in terms of the UK determining their own destiny and I can see the economic arguments. But, like Trump in the US, it's really a sign of nationalism and that can be based on very negative reasons.

That may ripple throughout the world.

I agree with their right for self determination, but I also think there will be a significant economic cost for them. There is a reason the establishment there mostly wanted to stay. The UK wasn't just a member of the EU, it was a member of the EU with special privileges.

As far as your comment about nationalism, I totally agree.

[Drama Queen]

I do believe that some of the vote was about culture and xenophobia, but also about a war against terrorism. I think wanting to raise the bar on immigration standards is a reasonable expectation of the people's government. It's also about safety and security.

[IronEagle]

I do believe that some of the vote was about culture and xenophobia, but also about a war against terrorism. I think wanting to raise the bar on immigration standards is a reasonable expectation of the people's government. It's also about safety and security.

There is no doubt in my mind that terrorism amplifys xenophobia. But there always has been a lot of xenophobia even without terrorism.

[Drama Queen]

True.

I don't necessary think that wanting strong immigration standards should signal that a person is then a xenophobic person as if they crossed a threshold or standard though. Terrorism is a war about infiltration and disguise and tough vetting is one way to combat this, IMO.

[IronEagle]

True.

I don't necessary think that wanting strong immigration standards should signal that a person is then a xenophobic person as if they crossed a threshold or standard though. Terrorism is a war about infiltration and disguise and tough vetting is one way to combat this, IMO.

I found this article interesting. Politicians stoking the public's fear for their own purposes is nothing new.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-06-25/brexit-leaders-prepare-to-disappoint-supporters-on-migration

[Riccardo]

Interesting

Our company moved all operations out of the UK years ago. Main offices are all now in switzerland