Dear Blinders,
The United Kingdom has voted to exit the European Union!
An amazing and historical decision for The United Kingdom, with enormous political, economic, and social ramifications for the entire world!
Much of the liberal media and many people in the entertainment industry are complaining… but they don’t represent everyone.
Do you think that Brexit will eventually prove to have a good or bad impact on the U.S. and the rest of the world?
Love, Ace
P.S. Yes, you’re getting a BG12345 today!
Aurelia says
I don’t believe the citizens of the UK are prepared for the economic impact this vote will have on their lives. It will be staggering and brutal.
gawn to the dawgs says
I don’t see this as a good thing for democracy, it is a good thing for nationalism and the last (major) time that raised its head in Europe we ended up with the Nazi Party and WWII. It is not a coincidence that the only voices supporting this are all far right extremists.
Since the vote the Leave campaign have already said that 2 of the major promises (funds re-directed to the National Health Service and reduced immigration) can’t be delivered. They lied and we will all pay the price.
SparkyP says
I think it is a great thing for the world in general. Democracy is in decline and no matter how liberal and social minded you are, it is super important that people power asserts itself like it used to in the 60’s and 70’s. Get on Netflix and watch ‘Requiem for an American Dream’ and you’ll have to conclude that regardless of the specific consequences for the UK, this was a great step for all nations. I sincerely hope the EC and those in power don’t treat the UK people too harshly as a…
cookiegirl says
It’s the EU not EC. It’s a bad thing. It’s divided the country literally in half. Half the population are not happy about Brexit. Communities that were propped up by the EU due to insufficient UK funding will now collapse. Redundancies are already beginning to hit, the U.K. has been pulled from EU medical studies and all the benefits for human rights such as flexible working, paternity/maternity leave, pensions etc are likely to get taken away. France has already said they will not…
CeeSaw says
Honing in on one comment. Ace, you mentioned liberal media. The media as a whole has been ramped from a liberal perpective. So much repression of facts on one side. Yeah, the alternative is a bafoon sometimes, and it can be cringeworthy. The countless acts of criminal, unethical spew is so suppresses. The media in many large internet venues is blatantly bias.
TopChef says
Good thing — I don’t want “people at the top” making all the decisions, and laws being made by bureaucrats via regulations.
Syrian refugee crisis was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Honestly, I’m a woman; if my neighborhood were 1/2 Muslim, I wouldn’t be able to wear a tank top in summer without being harassed. Angela Merkel can’t tell me to accept everyone.
cookiegirl says
This is why leave voters have been labelled racist.
keenobserver says
Ace what a brilliant forum you have here. I have completely enjoyed reading the debate on this thread. The arguments to leave the EU were thoughtful and sound. I am on the ” should have stayed” side, but I have received the most food for thought here on the BG page on this issue. Love you Blinders.
boyzmom says
I agree. Wasn’t this a great discussion of the Brexit issue without the name-calling and crazy nutters making scary comments? Love this site.
High Steppa says
Agreed!
Selkie says
I think it’s beautiful and I hope it inspires Americans to vote against the status quo (aka Hillary).
It’s hilarious that the liberals, who fancy themselves to be anti-establishment rebels, are in a blind panic over the TRUE rebels who voted to leave!
cookiegirl says
I don’t find it funny. I’m not panicking I’m aware of the implications. People are losing their jobs already.
Misshooz says
London isn’t in mourning. Get over it. Too many of us fear change and there’s no reason why this isn’t a good thing. Give it time and you’ll see. I agree with what has been said about the beginning of the end of the EU though.
Taunnie says
I’m Canadian and onlyheard about Brexit in April/May of this year.Judging by the comments above, Brits felt they were being controlled by Brussels and wanted to have their sovereignty restored.Now they’re on their way and I imagine there will be huge changes to the rules governing trade & immigration.But what I want to know is – was life really THAT bad? I mean when I think of cabals and dictatorships I think of Russia & North Korea. THOSE are prime examples of what happens when things run…
PatioPrincess says
They’re smart to extricate them from the mess that is the EU as soon as possible. Things will calm down and get back to normal and Britain will be the better for it. They can control immigration before they’re over run with potential terrorists and people taking jobs away from them. And they’re our best ally, so they’re fine as far as military protection (not that they need it, but we’re there for them if they do and vice versa. All in all it’s common sense and needs to be done.
Frankfurt7753 says
The documentary Brexit is on youtube and it’s brilliant, sums up exactly why I voted OUT yesterday. I have never felt so excited about voting before, thank god we have escaped the dictatorship of Brussels and people I have never heard of, voted for,yet who made so many of our rules and told us what to do. We are free to make our own rules at last! Oh and thanks Obama for giving the Leave Campaign even more votes by telling us Brits what to do and that we would be at the back of the queue…
PatioPrincess says
This!
So, in your opinion, is England about split on this? is it a young person v. old person thing, or a lib v. conservative thing? I ask as our country (USA) is in horrid shape and while I don’t care for Trump, he seems to be the only voice of reason to protect ourselves and carefully, with common sense vett potential immigrants. We’re sort of in the same situation and if we don’t get a grip on it soon, we’re doomed. Can it be voted down again in a few years or will it stick?
vinny2015 says
Anyone using Trump and common sense in the same sentence has serious issues…
celebiddy says
Is that liberal media kool aid just soo delicious?
SparkyP says
Yes there is an age split and also a wealth split. Those with power and money want the status quo because it has served them well. The young are liberal and see it as a conservative, redneck response. However as a once liberal youngster (and still a socialist at heart), I now understand that it isn’t always as simple as liberal versus conservative and that these issues are much murkier than the young realise.
gawn to the dawgs says
England and Wales voted to leave, Scotland and Northern. Ireland want to remain with the EU which could mean they vote out of the UK. Most under 25s wanted to remain most 65+ wanted to leave, and no, there is no going back.
Without the EU the UK would not have paid leave inc. maternity & paternity; equal pay; freedom of movement; cleaner air & water and money through subsidies e.g. my county had £43.3m EU fund for local investment in my county.
A very sad result.
Frankfurt7753 says
I don’t think it can be reversed. I hope not! Our country seems divided too, most of London and Scotland voted remain, the rest of England voted Leave. More young people voted remain and more older people voted Leave but the reasons, for myself, my family and my friends all voting leave, was because we were afraid of Turkey and Albania joining the EU (which they are very likely to, pushed through by Merkel) with more massive immigration and more strains on our community, we just couldn’t…
boyzmom says
Lol. Love your comment
celebiddy says
A wonderful stance against globalism. Might be some negative consequences at the start but it slows the move toward a borderless one world government and will give england far more freedom down the road. Many people like the idea of globalism but to me it sounds dystopian and corrupt as hell.
LittleMrs says
It’s terrific! Of course they are going to be fine. They don’t need the corrupt bureaucrats in Brussels constantly skimming money off the top for their own personal gain. There is a fabulous documentary called Brexit: The Movie that explains everything perfectly.
Rule Britannia! ??
Ace, you’re a little bit of heaven! Thank you for making my day brighter, always!
gawn to the dawgs says
Today Britain turned it’s back on Europe and it’s responsibility to help to stabilise the region. I don’t pretend that any government is perfect but I like to believe that forming alliances and working together is best for everyone. The fact that the tosspot Trump is for Brexit just confirms how wrong this is.
Yesterday I lived in Great Britain a part of the United Kingdom and was proud to do so. Today I’m not proud, my country isn’t great and we certainly aren’t united anymore.
NahnCee says
Yes, well, if Great Britain is as tired of its “responsibility” to stabilize a bunch of no-goodniks who want everything for free with a rape or two thrown in for good measure as AMERICA is tired of *our* “responsibility” for world peace, then you’re probably gasping with exhaustion over the awfulness of it all. As we are. People, including Muslims and blacks and gays, need to take responsibility for THEMselves … so if they need to get up in the morning and go to work or suffer…
vinny2015 says
EVERYONE needs to take responsibility for themselves…not just the ones you *chose* to name. WOW. You must be a Trump supporter.
gawn to the dawgs says
Actually, of the countries that make up our Kingdom only 2 (England and Wales) voted to leave with the highest % of leave votes cast by older generation not the ‘millennials’ who have to live with the decision. As far as I’m concerned we all have a responsibility for each other as individuals and as nations.
Oh the ‘bunch of no-goodniks’ you refer to are actually the remaining 27 member country states of the EU, making Donald Trump a no-goodnik because of his German ancestry.
Marybel says
Now Great Britain knows what it’s like to gain independence. Took courage…kudos!
Germanicus says
This is an amazing turn of events! The British people have proved that they are the bravest and refused to be bullied or scared into allowing a bunch or smug bureaucrats from Brussels to rule their country.
Ultimately it’s always good to give the ruling class a reminder to listen to their constituents and not simply dismiss them as ignorant rubes. Hopeful that it crossed the pond to our shores!
redgirl402 says
So bad.
WillowPotter says
The will of the people has been stated, I don’t know anything about the EU so I can not say if this is positive or negative, I wish the best for Britain in their new endeavors ahead.
GypsyRose says
Congrats UK! The first few years will be rocky but if there’s any country that can bounce back from anything it’s you. A lot of Europeans are tired of being dictated by those unelected officials in Brussels and Merkel. Merkel is one of the reasons why Brexit won. Goodluck Germany let your citizens work to death so you can bail out Greece, Spain and Portugal. Socialism just doesn’t work. Now Brits pat yourselves in the back and fly the Union Jack.
Gemza says
People around the world are fed up. I’m so happy for Britain and am hopeful we will do the same here in November by electing an outsider. It’s not isolationism, just people wanting sovereignty, defined borders and a government that does the bidding of its citizens.
DoctorMondo says
I think it’s going to be sh**storm for the next five years.
Moonpie says
The British will do what is best for Britain. If you don’t live there and are experiencing their troubles, you can’t complain. It’s call self determination.
jenvies says
The U.K. Is trying to out-crazy the US election! We’ll show them…
Aubergine Skye says
This made me laugh! Ahh, it’s all funny until Trump gets elected, too.
sukie3 says
FANTASTIC news! British are tired of the politically elite telling them what to do.
Fortune Cookie says
I’m embarrassed to say, I don’t know enough about it or the ramifications. Obviously a majority of people thought it was a good idea and voted as such. Britain has always been a strong country and I don’t imagine that changing for the worst.
Jester says
I am with you, Fortune. I am just learning about this now. Time to write to the only three British people I know.
dynamodavid says
Talked to a London Investment capitalist just a few minutes ago.
He says this is bad for the English economy and is going to increase the cost of everything from food to fuel.
He said the vote was really close though. And he believes, that once the dust settles, the people who did vote to exit the European union will soon regret listening to their version of — who was all for the exit.
jokerjim65 says
False, it will lower the cost of living inside G.B. The issue would be against the rest of the continent. Internally, the nation would be stronger. Economics 101 explains that.
Frankfurt7753 says
This may be true what your Investment capitalist friend said, but myself, my family, my friends we all voted Leave because of what we see looking around us, outside of London, (I live in the North East) no school places for our children, no doctors appointments, we can’t get on the property ladder, no houses, sometimes it feels like I live in Poland not England and an elite out of touch government, with snobby, privileged politicians living in a bubble in London who have no idea how it is for…
Prookie says
I’m Polish, but I do admit that my people really took advantage of that open-border policy of the EU by settling in droves in England, and most of the time unfortunately it wasn’t not our best and brightest. The problem is they don’t care to assimilate. But in defense, Englishmen living in Warsaw make no effort to even learn basic Polish phrases. That’s the EU!
Also, I can’t remember anymore how many times I met a female Pole who has an English fiance or husband. At least they planned…
mommagoosed says
Welcome back to freedom and independence, Britain! May many more follow your bold lead! I am sure there will be global adjustments, just as there were when the EU was created. However, I suspect that we will all be just fine.
High Steppa says
London may be in mourning but the majority of the UK is NOT. I am still digesting this but it is the will of the majority of the people. Many of those in the “remain” camp have characterized those on the other side as ignorant, racist, stupid, etc. You do not win friends and influence people by insulting them and their intelligence because they think differently than you. This only makes them dig in and solidify their stance. The anti-Trump movement should take heed of this.
weeniedog says
Amen!
Here4theComments says
It is the will of those who were smart enough to vote. Many were lulled into a false sense of security from polls citing that the majority felt this move was a bad idea and this believed that their colleagues would not choose to cut off their nose despite their face.
“You do not win friends and influence people by insulting them and their intelligence because they think differently than you.” -Find out why they think differently.
deebee says
It’s terrible. London is in mourning… Truly a sad day ?
Nurcate says
London may be in mourning, but the majority of the UK isn’t. If you think that its OK for a cabal of unelected EU bureaucrats to dictate how our country should be run , whilst enjoying the perks of the EU gravy train that’s your right . I however have chosen to vote to leave, as is my right. Norway & Switzerland do very well outside of the EUs influence … As will we .
CeeSaw says
Why? It’s having a global hit in freak mode from a stock perspective, but it will bounce back shorty, as it is strong. Our arms can only carry so much.
JohnCarson says
The EU was formed in 1993. Europe has existed without the EU for a lot longer than it has with it so I’m preeettay sure they will figure out how to continue to exist even if the EU itself disbands.
boyzmom says
Very true
Vampira says
….And so has the UK. They did it before and they can do it again.
barb8571 says
Freedom is scary, as there is uncertainty and there is no safety net. However, history shows that the greater your freedom, the greater your prosperity. This is likely just the first of many ‘exits’
AnguaDelphine says
EU isn’t about “freedom” or lack of it. That’s #$%& romance. It’s a business deal. The most important aspects are trade and free flow of people. Brits living, say, in Spain are now suddenly there without a visa and have to figure out what to do, possibly by selling their homes and move back to the UK. British goods will have taxes in the EU (their largest export market) and goods from EU will have taxes in the UK (NOT their largest export market).
celebiddy says
It’s freedom in the sense that they are no longer under control of any entity but their own national government. Therefore they can choose to run their country how they want rather then how the eu decides.
celebiddy says
And no longer have to carry the weight of failing socialist economies such as greece
CeeSaw says
Yet our constitution is so very clear. Very simple, to the point and clear. It embraces our core beliefs, and our amendments,mother beginning ones support the very foundation of our country. The USA doctrines are solid.
NahnCee says
I’ve wondered why the European Union was supposed to be such a Very Good Thing, since its rules are made up by a bunch of unelected bureaucrats in Brussels. Now that you have Greece and Italy *refusing* to rein in their communist / socialist spending, that’s an additional reason get out from under. I totally support England’s exit from the boondoggle and if it predicts a Trump victory over similar communist spending here in America, then that’s a happy thing. Oh, and God Save the…
boyzmom says
Agree.
oneup2back says
100 % agreed. With Greece still slipping and sliding further into debt, it sounds as if the British people had enough.
mizzavrid says
Trump and victory in the same sentence? Ugh.
NahnCee says
Repeat over & over again, & then go write 100 times on the chalkboard “President Trump President Trump The President of the United States Donald Trump …” I promise it will soon trip off the tongue & you’ll be proud to be an American again. Look at it this way: The EU was initially set up to be a counterbalance to US — that America was too big & strong & overpowering globally so Yurp as one could stand up to it. Obama has managed to weaken America SO much that is no longer necessary -…
rmethod says
When the EU started, it was simply a “trading union” of sorts. No type of central government or control. It’s since morphed into that. So basically, the UK was in the same position the colonies were in before we declared independence.
emmalinasaurus says
It is catastrophic
2BEAUCOUP says
only if you loath freedom
mamacita3 says
It may be economically bumpy for a bit but I think it’s going to be just fine. It also may be the death knell for the EU. People everywhere are tired of their governments making decisions with no regard for the taxpaying citizens. It’s a much needed global re-set.
boyzmom says
Well said. Much needed.
Nataliexyz says
Agreed.
jokerjim65 says
“People everywhere are tired of their governments making decisions with no regard for the taxpaying citizens”
That is as well said as it gets. Kudos.
lovetwist says
Bad, very bad.
spookie says
Yup. the UK is screwed.
(I’m British)
OohMatron says
The answer is no-one will know for at least 2-3 years…a change won’t happen overnight. As someone else said, you can keep prodding the lion but it will eventually bite.
scumby says
Probably good as it encourages Americans to vote for Trump.
lagally says
Yea! Obamallry wrong again! Loved Trump’s speech last week. Can’t beleve women would vote for a woman who accepted 30 billion from regimes who won’t let women drive and throw gays in jail ( if not worse)
Bakomommy says
No opinion re Brexit; I’m not informed enough about that.
Trump is dangerous because he is openly appealing to the bigots in our country and has a very limited understanding of the nuances in public policy and separation of powers (a flaw unfortunately shared by many Americans who blame presidents for things they have no power over because those powers are held by Congress or the states). His name calling of opponents is unsophisticated and childish.