I was under the impression that the EFTA was between the EU and external states (Norway, Switzerland, etc), which would mean that with the elimination of the EU, the EFTA would also need to be renegotiated. Given the current political climate, I'm sure there will be some countries that refuse... but, hopefully, most of the countries with /some/ savvy (which I listed in my previous post) would quickly re-negotiate.

EDIT: Just like to point out that I'd still like to see "people" included in these agreements, but that seems even less likely. Even the more free-trade nations have a hard time accepting freedom of movement. This is perhaps the one good thing that would die with the EU.

Right, and I'd like to see the agreement between the EU and Norway and Switzerland turned into a continent-wide treaty. Certainly, all of the Western European countries would agree to it.

EDIT: And as for people, I fully support the free movement of labour as long as the immigrants don't turn to crime and/or use up government resources without contributing.

Actually it would make food more expensive, and drive thousands of farmers out of work driving the cost up more. You cannot make decent money off of farming anymore unless you are a mega farm. The smaller farms need the subsidies to be able to plant next season's crop.

The problem is abuses to the system. And it costs money to add oversight to make sure these abuses are not being done. But in the long run it should save money. Something else that would save money is centralizing the oversight since right now their are several departments that watch Sallie Mae and a lot of times they don't agree so nothing gets done. And they don't want their powers taken from them.

 Just to add to the above post, I see quite a few people come through and pay for McDonald's food with their welfare debit card. They are very noticeable .

Right, and I'd like to see the agreement between the EU and Norway and Switzerland turned into a continent-wide treaty. Certainly, all of the Western European countries would agree to it.

EDIT: And as for people, I fully support the free movement of labour as long as the immigrants don't turn to crime and/or use up government resources without contributing.

Sort of the issue isn't it.  With free movement of labor, you sorta have a somewhat uniform welfare system.

Otherwise, people even without jobs are going to leave areas with less welfare to more, just for the bigger handout.

Two questions:

What oil subsidies?

Do you have a problem with paying reasonable prices for food, transportation, and energy/heating costs for your house?

The oil companies pay royalties on the oil they produce and then pay taxes under the same rules as every other corporation in the country; and as a result they pay higher over all taxes but are entitled to the same deductions as everyone else. There only "crime" is they produce a product that everyone wants that is sold in a free market where the price is set by supply and demand; and a combination of governments preventing increased supply and economic growth in the third world increasing demand have resulted in increasing oil prices.

Two questions:

What oil subsidies?

Do you have a problem with paying reasonable prices for food, transportation, and energy/heating costs for your house?

The oil companies pay royalties on the oil they produce and then pay taxes under the same rules as every other corporation in the country; and as a result they pay higher over all taxes but are entitled to the same deductions as everyone else. There only "crime" is they produce a product that everyone wants that is sold in a free market where the price is set by supply and demand; and a combination of governments preventing increased supply and economic growth in the third world increasing demand have resulted in increasing oil prices.