>>>>Any punitive or vindictive response from the EU will tend to reinforce in the minds of Leave and Remain alike, that leaving was the right choice.
>>>
>>>Not for me - if I consider the treaty to have a lot of punitive measures compared to the deals the swiss or norwegians have (while blending out cries of british politicians of unfair treatment and statements of EU politicos as well...) it would move my position a LOT closer to leave. A structure having to resort to punitive measures to keep inmates in is a kind of prison, and I believe in realizing losses early or taking the the lumps and move on. Chances of me working with a group on biz reasons is much higher than with people trying to use biz as carrot and stick. So as long as it is not during a critical time like 6 weeks before release date I expect to be able to leave / reduce time / take a sabattical without prejudice. I am highly suspicious whenever quasi-religious beliefs like the "need to always grow closer" are voiced.
>>>I was doubtful on whether day-2-day work would be living up Maastricht treaty principles - mainly on the fence, would have voted against the € but for entering the EU. Currently still far away from arguing pro-exit, but most of the post-brexit-referendum statements made me question that position.
>>
>>Are you talking about Brexit, or the prospect of Germany leaving the EU?
>
>Quite often I question myself how I would vote if given the chance. Last paragraph 1. sentence describes this stipulated vote, had german poulation been asked such a question at the same time as other nations did their referenda: previously always pro joining common market, tentatively against joining €-group shortly after wall falling (mostly coming from the perception back then that other nations were more eager to abolish the DM than we), against EU constitution.
>
>In the last years my position was mostly along GB arguments - typically hoping to slow down do-gooding from within. A few H after my post a similar take on punitive conditions for GB after article 50 has been pulled was printed in
>http://www.wiwo.de/finanzen/boerse/stelter-strategisch-2030-wuenschen-wir-uns-vielleicht-wir-waeren-ausgetreten/13806652.html
> ;-))
>
>Google translate not perfect, but more than good enough to follow the arguments, example from the article:
>Those who are convinced of its benefits and value , does not have to resort to such cheap methods . When you hear the sounds of Brussels , it is tempting to think of a residential community whose cohesion is ensured by the fact that vicious dogs are placed in front of the door, not "at the entrance" (the only really bad point, meant: "to block entering"), but very well prevent them leaving . A European version of the 1976 celebrated by the Eagles " Hotel California " . It would be better all , to make the EU more attractive .
>
>I wish I would have come up with the Hotel California line - shows why I am a programmer or an analyst and not a writer ;-))
>
>I particularly like the argument that GB might be better off compared to Germany, if in the future german industry grows accustomed to the artificially lowered € due to other states keeping up practices seen in 1960 - 1990 to keep their goods attractive (Italian pattern of devaluating the Lira).


For me German re-unification was only ever acceptable within the context of a European union.