Geographically or Politically - we're European. Culturally, we're not. But there is no judgement call here - we ARE part of Europe - there's just a growing movement of people who want to be 'in' Europe without being 'run' by Europe - but we ARE part of Europe.

It's the culture that's all-important here.

Collectivists, like those currently running the EU, are anxious to absorb creative and productive people and nations.* They have long been convinced that the engine of creation that is free capitalism can somehow be "utilized" by collectivism, like a natural resource. When the creativity dies under a collective society, like coral losing its color when hauled into the air, they just assume they haven't figured out the trick yet.

I don't know the whole of what the EU is working out, but I am well aware of the people and philosophies running the place right now and have a pretty good idea of how it's going to end up. At some point, productive nations will either have to flee the organization or be drained dry. England is right to be wary. There's more involved than just a common currency.

*It's also why the United Nations has long harbored the fantasy of "harnessing" the wealth and military power of the United States to its own ends.