Referendum issues

We the British are largely an emotional lot and whilst there are those who are pragmatic about most things, the sight of Martin Schutz the German President of the EU dictating to us if the EU will or will not help in David Cameron's mission to wring some changes to the benefits which incoming refugees can expect from our Benefit System is a bitter pill to swallow.

There is a lingering resentment in our psychology, (at least amongst the older generation), that we don't like having to acknowledge a German calling the shots. Who won the war and all that !!

Of course, in part, that horse, the proud industrious Brit, has bolted since many of our traditional symbols of British workmanship are now fully owned and amalgamated into foreign companies.  

Rolls Royce and Bentley are examples, E-on the utility group and the iconic London bus, all German. 50% of British Business is owned by foreigners. Boots the Chemist is Italian, ICI is Dutch, Cadbury American, the Steel Industry Indian, our Nuclear Industry France and recently China, Asda USA, P&O Dubai, British Airports Spain,even the Lottery owner is Canadian. All the major Hotels in London are foreign owned, our flagship shops such as Harrods and Debenhams, Selfridges even the Dorchester is foreign.  

And so as we continue to flog off the 'silver' to balance the books we fail to recognise that the ex British companies, now registered overseas, have their profits taxed overseas which minimises our tax revenue, we loose millions which further encourages more silver to be sold to balance the books. Any Benefit claimant will describe the process. The only beneficiaries are the Banks who handle each financial sale and of course our Establishment are slave to the banks in our indebtedness to the financial markets who accept or reject our ability to borrow. 

So what is it that this "hollowed out nation" has to loose in being amalgamated with some of its owners. Jingoism, flag waving, xenophobia are all traits which are not attractive.
Can we grow up and understand the world in which we proudly played such an important role and which I believe we should be rightly proud, has changed or at least our part in it has.
We are no longer the sheriff out to right the wrongs and protect the weak. We are a medium sized economic entity with a dodgy record regarding our role of protecting our own weak and vulnerable. If we calm our hubris and take a reality check, maybe the 'nationalism' that is projected by those least likely to fight, can be set aside for a larger role alongside the nations of Europe, many of whom we can identify with better than other global powerhouses.
This is the era of the global powerhouse.
Those on the other side of the pond, the US, for whom I would suggest we have little in common, other than the language.
The Chinese who are impenetrable.
The rest of Asia, who's cultural disparity makes us poor bedfellows.
And Russia, who as always defy any sort of categorisation other than their ability to suffer for a Slavic ideal.
The historical conflict within Europe has largely succumbed to a collective economic will which our proximity and also our own history, makes them the only family from which we can expect a bed and some comfort. All families squabble but a squabble is not the same as a divorce and we should stay and make the best we can in our own chastised circumstance.