[Sephiroth]

Just to remind all, one of the deeper reasons why we should leave the EU:

German hegemony.

I'll explain.

In the 1980s, Germany was becoming uncompetitive because the DM currency was rising in value to the point where they were becoming industrially uncompetitive. A way had to be found of devaluing the DM.

So, they persuaded France to back the forerunner to the Euro - the ECU. The word even sounded French and by 1991 it had morphed into the ERM (Exchange Rate Mechanism) which the UK joined until the interest rate crisis occurred when we withdrew.

The ERM was supposed to operate until all the member countries (now the Eurozone) had brought their borrowing to within a +/- 3% of GDP range.

So, I draw you attention to GREECE & ITALY. No way did Greece & Italy fulfill these entry requirements which is exactly what Germany wanted so that the overall value of the Euro against the basket of pre-Eurozone currencies would offset the high value of the DM. Also weaker currencies in terms of GDP such as Spain & Portugal added to Germany's cup of joy.

When the Euro happened around 1999, German labour & thus industrial costs fell significantly and they became highly productive.

Evidence: The German financial surpluses should be seen against nearly every one else's deficit.

Result: Germany runs the EU with France as its running dog.