Barack Obama once wrote a book called The Audacity of Hope.
Many British people listening to him as he called on us to vote to Remain in the European Union certainly felt he wasn’t short on audacity – although they didn’t think he had much hope of being taken seriously.
The trouble was the hypocrisy.
Remember in 1776 when we told King George to fuck off, the Brits are returning the favor #FuckOffObama
— Bob in SC (@RCornelius2160) April 22, 2016
After all, what was the American War of Independence about? Surely there was an objection to a foreign power imposing tax rates on them?
The European Union is the same.
It has a vast number of rules it requires us to follow.
Should the elected UK Government wish to scrap VAT on tampons, or heating, or home insulation, or whatever else, they are told they can’t by our EU masters.
At least VAT hasn’t been imposed on tea yet.
It is true that other tax rates are still decided in Westminster – but for how long?
There is a push within the EU for “harmonisation” of tax rates to eliminate “harmful tax competition”.
In other words there is hostility to the UK offering lower tax rates than those in the
Eurozone.
Brexit means cheaper energy bills for poor claims Boris Johnson – slams 'unfair & damaging' EU VAT rules. Read more: https://t.co/87okqW9arE
— rbcVAT (@RBC_VAT) June 6, 2016
Not only does the EU dictate how much tax the British must pay but the EU also spends a lot of our money for us. There has been the argument about whether it is £19 billion or £15 billion due to the current rebate.
Bu this rebate is at the discretion of the EU. That is the body in charge. They could scrap the rebate and increase their spending in future years.
Were we to be so craven as to vote to remain, we would hardly have much clout in resisting the process.
At least The Taxation of Colonies Act 1778 offered a tangible concession – something far more significant than anything David Cameron managed from his renegotiation.
However, the Americans did not accept that it went far enough.
Then we have the warnings that the United Kingdom could not cope as an independent nation. What if the equivalent defeatists in Massachusetts had been listened to 240 years ago?
Just a thought for Obama: was not the basis of US independence "No taxation without representation"? Just our complaint with EU #Brexit
— Ron Cufley (@roncufley) May 16, 2016
The Second Earl of Guildford, Lord North, has been quoted saying: “Those fighting for independence can’t tell us what life would be like outside the British Empire.”
He was the British Prime Minister who lost America.
I’m afraid the quote is a spoof – but it still makes the point.
There is nothing extreme or outdated or bigoted about a nation wishing to conduct its own affairs as a self-governing democracy. The United States would not allow the Canadians, Mexicans and Brazilians to decide on the laws that apply in the USA.
Sign away the majority of US Independence to Mexico & Canada, then come talk to us @POTUS #brexit
— Ed Burke (@iamedburke) July 24, 2015
So why should the British be expected to defer to French, Germans and Spaniards over the law in the UK?
The British have come to terms with American independence. For
Americans it should be appreciated that the referendum on June 23 will be our Independence Day.
If we decide to vote for Brexit, the Americans, of all people, should respect and understand it.
