Brexit

The Left and the EU: Why Cling To This Reactionary Institution?

http://www.counterpunch.org/2016/06/22/the-left-and-the-eu-why-cling-to-...

"Why is it that so many people who consider themselves left-wing have such difficulty grasping that the EU is a deeply reactionary institution?

Without a doubt, that record is one that should cause those on the left now defending it acute embarrassment, as it starkly contradicts ideals that the left has always wanted to uphold..."

Particularly here where 'the Left' seems consistently confused and reactionary and always ready to support the most pernicious and offensive establishment or imperialist agendas.

I'm suddenly thinking of the ending of "Dangerous Liasons".

'Here's The Twist'

https://youtu.be/kPtT3tJjiAA

"Patrick Young, expert in global financial markets, explains his optimism:

'...And that's why I'm optimistic. Because there are going to be rough seas ahead, but it's much better being out there sailing free than it is to be shackled to the iceberg which is the Titanic of Brussels.

 

http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk/2016/06/i-want-my-country-back

[url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-26/sturgeon-to-negotiate-best-way-for... may have the poweer to block Brexit[/url]

And now the Red Tory Blairites have picked this weekend to launch their coup. Is it a coincidence that this has happened at the same time Cameron has resigned and polls show Labour under Corbyn neck-and-neck in the polls? The Red Tories aren't afraid of being wiped out in a snap election. They're afraid of an actual left-winger winning, demolishing their carefully constructed argument that the left is unelectable and the only options are flavours of conservatism.

The next few months will be quite instructive for those of us seeking to rebuild the NDP.

cco wrote:

Is it a coincidence that this has happened at the same time Cameron has resigned and polls show Labour under Corbyn neck-and-neck in the polls?

That's the first I've heard this.  Could you please link a poll that confirms this?

Thanks.  I did find a site that has a lot of polls, and yes, things seem close.

http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/voting-intention-2

It's odd though, because when I read of how Labour is doing, news reports don't usually sound too impressed.  The last council elections, for instance, were portrayed as Labour not doing as well as expected.  Yet when I look at the results, I think it looks like they did great.  That's the thing, I'm not too familiar with how things work over there.

Britain is having a political meltdown and Labour instead of seizing the moment has a death wish

cco wrote:

And now the Red Tory Blairites have picked this weekend to launch their coup. Is it a coincidence that this has happened at the same time Cameron has resigned and polls show Labour under Corbyn neck-and-neck in the polls? The Red Tories aren't afraid of being wiped out in a snap election. They're afraid of an actual left-winger winning, demolishing their carefully constructed argument that the left is unelectable and the only options are flavours of conservatism.

This is how it looks like to me too, from way over here.  How self-aware do you think these Blairites are?  Do you think they know that they don't want a left-winger winning, or do you think that they are subconsciously just trying to protect their power and so they are fooling themselves into seeing Corbyn as impotent?

Quote:

The next few months will be quite instructive for those of us seeking to rebuild the NDP.

I'm glad you're on board, too!

http://www.vox.com/2016/6/25/12029786/brexit-uk-eu-immigration-xenophobia

Now some pundits are suggesting that the real lesson of Brexit is that ordinary Britons are bearing an unacceptable economic cost from immigration, and that elites should heed that lesson and think about restricting immigration to other Western countries to prevent a similar populist backlash.

There’s just one problem: this narrative isn’t actually true. Data shows that Britain wasn’t suffering harmful economic effects from too many new migrants.

What Britain was suffering from too much of, however, was xenophobia — fear and hatred of immigrants. Bigotry on the basis of national origin.

That’s not something you give into, and close the borders. It’s something you fight.

 

NDPP wrote:

Cracks in the EU

http://thesaker.is/cracks-in-the-eu/

A messy, protracted and expensive divorce is a likely scenario.

That's a laugh, as usual. Saker must know that wall mural is about the agreement that is now in tatters following this vote. 

I'd say he is also in fantasy land, but I expect he has a clearer view than some; his mention of NATO and LePen show why he really likes this vote. He has plenty willing to believe the fairy tale, though.

Yes George, of course.

Quote:

I’ve often wished I could believe in conspiracy theories, because it would make life so much easier. Boyfriend seems to have changed over the years, and not for the better? He’s a lizard wearing boyfriend skin. Late for work in the morning? The Illuminati drained my gas tank!

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/conspiracy-theorists-rejoice-brex...

But in fact there was a strong correlation with age, particularly with the young and old. It is a valid argument.

Go back to page 8 and look at the breakdown at #215. Over 60 percent of those under 25 voted to remain. Fifty eight percent of those over 64 voted to leave. We can quibble about why, but I'd expect a fair bit of it had to do with that generation's values and illusions around Anglo nationalism.

 

 

6079_Smith_W wrote:

Go back to page 8 and look at the breakdown at #215. Over 60 percent of those under 25 voted to remain. Fifty eight percent of those over 64 voted to leave. We can quibble about why, but I'd expect a fair bit of it had to do with that generation's values and illusions around Anglo nationalism.

i saw the break down and commented on it before.

 

2008 All Over Again

By Chris Hedges

Great Britain’s decision to leave the European Union has wiped out many bankers and global speculators. They will turn, as they did in 2008, to governments to rescue them from default. Most governments, including ours, will probably comply.

Will the American public passively permit another massive bailout of the banks? Will it accept more punishing programs of austerity to pay for this bailout? Will a viable socialism rise out of the economic chaos to halt further looting of the U.S. Treasury and the continued reconfiguration of the economy into neofeudalism? Or will a right-wing populism, with heavy undertones of fascism, ascend to power because of a failure on the part of the left to defend a population once again betrayed?

Whatever happens next will be chaotic. Global financial markets, which lost heavily on derivatives, are already in free fall. The value of the British pound has dropped by over 9 percent and British bank stock prices by over 25 percent. This decline has wiped out the net worth of many Wall Street brokerage houses and banks, leaving them with negative equity. The Brexit vote severely cripples and perhaps kills the eurozone and, happily, stymies trade agreements such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership. It throws the viability of NATO and American imperial designs in Eastern Europe and the Middle East into question. The British public’s repudiation of neoliberal economics also has the potential to upend the presidential elections. The Democratic Party will orchestrate a rescue of Wall Street if there is a call for a bailout. Donald Trump and the Republicans, by opposing a bailout, can ride popular revulsion to power....

epaulo13 wrote:

2008 All Over Again

By Chris Hedges

Great Britain’s decision to leave the European Union has wiped out many bankers and global speculators. They will turn, as they did in 2008, to governments to rescue them from default. Most governments, including ours, will probably comply.

Will the American public passively permit another massive bailout of the banks? Will it accept more punishing programs of austerity to pay for this bailout? Will a viable socialism rise out of the economic chaos to halt further looting of the U.S. Treasury and the continued reconfiguration of the economy into neofeudalism? Or will a right-wing populism, with heavy undertones of fascism, ascend to power because of a failure on the part of the left to defend a population once again betrayed?

Whatever happens next will be chaotic. Global financial markets, which lost heavily on derivatives, are already in free fall. The value of the British pound has dropped by over 9 percent and British bank stock prices by over 25 percent. This decline has wiped out the net worth of many Wall Street brokerage houses and banks, leaving them with negative equity. The Brexit vote severely cripples and perhaps kills the eurozone and, happily, stymies trade agreements such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership. It throws the viability of NATO and American imperial designs in Eastern Europe and the Middle East into question. The British public’s repudiation of neoliberal economics also has the potential to upend the presidential elections. The Democratic Party will orchestrate a rescue of Wall Street if there is a call for a bailout. Donald Trump and the Republicans, by opposing a bailout, can ride popular revulsion to power....

I am sure the bankers will be well looked after. Meanwhile everything in Britain will be more than expensive due to the falling pound. Millions around the globe will see their pensions, RSP's take a hit. As always, in the end the poor will pay.

wage zombie wrote:

How self-aware do you think these Blairites are?  Do you think they know that they don't want a left-winger winning, or do you think that they are subconsciously just trying to protect their power and so they are fooling themselves into seeing Corbyn as impotent?

The most charitable interpretation I can give is that the Blairites think a Corbyn government would be so awful that the party would never form government again. This isn't the interpretation I actually subscribe to -- I think, as I said above, that they know exactly what they're doing and are afraid of an actual left-winger succeeding -- but it's at least slightly possible.

https://mobile.twitter.com/johnmcdonnellMP/status/747509213891551233

cco wrote:

wage zombie wrote:

How self-aware do you think these Blairites are?  Do you think they know that they don't want a left-winger winning, or do you think that they are subconsciously just trying to protect their power and so they are fooling themselves into seeing Corbyn as impotent?

The most charitable interpretation I can give is that the Blairites think a Corbyn government would be so awful that the party would never form government again. This isn't the interpretation I actually subscribe to -- I think, as I said above, that they know exactly what they're doing and are afraid of an actual left-winger succeeding -- but it's at least slightly possible.

When a right wing social democrat sits as leader the left supports him/ her in the name of party unity. However, god forbid someone on the left actually becomes leader you can bet that the favour is not returned and the right makes the leader"s life miserable.

The real reason that Leave "won" is because of the anti-democratic decision to go with FPTP voting.

All those voters who might otherwise have marked Remain as their second choice had their will denied.

Welcome to the new world - just like the 100 year old world

Cameron condemns xenophobic and racist abuse after Brexit vote

PM says government ‘will not tolerate intolerance’ after reported spike in hate crimes and abuse after EU referendum

 

David Cameron has condemned “despicable” xenophobic abuse after the EU referendum as figures suggested a 57% increase in reported incidents.

The country would not stand for hate crime, the prime minister told MPs.

“In the past few days we have seen despicable graffiti daubed on a Polish community centre, we’ve seen verbal abuse hurled against individuals because they are members of ethnic minorities,” Cameron said.

“Let’s remember these people have come here and made a wonderful contribution to our country. We will not stand for hate crime or these kinds of attacks, they must be stamped out.”

Police believe there has been an increase in hate crimes and community tensions since last week’s referendum. Initial figures show an increase of 57% in reported incidents between Thursday and Sunday compared with the same days four weeks earlier, the National Police Chiefs’ Council said – 85 incidents were reported compared with 54 during the earlier period.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jun/27/sadiq-khan-muslim-counci...

I am sure the bankers will be well looked after...

...this smacks of total complaceny and faith in a collapsing system....what with the USA Treasury nearing 20 trillion in debt?

With the global speculative community more than doubling its debt since 2008, and with a recession world wide with trillions of corporate junk bonds? 
No! such compacency is totally unwarranted....I´ve been watching the collapsing banking system for some time now...this latest is just the latest shock to a desperately panicky situation....banking leveraging is out of control...meaning serious cost saving and deflationary actions in the works...

Have people not been following the increasing bankster layoffs?

The banks are in big trouble....bail ins are in the cards...the final catalyst to mass bank runs

No! This time the system will run its natural course...chaos awaits us! 

Better be prepared! Politically of course!