Italy PM Renzi to step down

Yes, there is definitely a growing populist movement in some countries in Europe, and we've certainly just had our own here.  It will be interesting to see if this Italian referendum does lead to Quitaly.  

But I think the thread that ties this populist movement together among most of the countries we are seeing it in, is that the Left side of the political spectrum is taking the hit.  And that's pretty instructive.  Economic struggles and the huge waves of immigration have made people revolt against the ideas and policies which have put them where they are right now.  And why not?  If something isn't working, then we must try something else, no?  But Austria's vote was against the far right, so maybe it's just  that people want a more centrist approach?  And the populist movement is trying to bring things back to the center though may be over correcting at first?

The EU might be something that had a purpose at the time, but wow was it ambitious to put distinct countries with such unique histories and cultures and ways of doing things under one roof and with one currency.  And of course, as these struggles became apparent, the EU had to grow more and more bloated to try to keep things under control.  And resentment grows.  Who knows if the EU will survive this wave.

Russia will be only too glad to chomp down some of the little countries freed from the tyranny of the EU.

Putin must be delighted -- not only did his pet candidate win our election, but instead of a large and powerful union of member states in Europe, there'll be a whole bunch of smaller countries squabbling with one another.

ETA:

New York and California aren't culturally much like the midwest, and clearly they're on a way different wavelength politically.  Maybe they should split off.  Texas, too -- they've been talking about it long enough.  All three could manage on their own.  Some states are overwhelmingly pro choice. Some are overwhelmingly pro life. I mean, why have the tyranny of a federal government and other states with competing interests ramming stuff down one another's throats?

(Once upon a time, wasn't there some considerable question about whether some very different colonies with very different interests could form a union? Some owned slaves, some didn't, some were more urban, some more rural... )

I see benefits in the EU.  If some member states want to split off, fine, but my guess is it won't necessarily be all gas and gaiters.

ETA:

But yeah, it seems to be a trend for EU countries to eye the door lately.  I guess we'll see.