Scottish Independence - How would you vote?

[ayepatz]

Well, it's a week to go until the big vote.

As a Scot who lives in England, the powers-that-be have decided that I don't get to vote.

I'm interested to see what the rest of the world thinks, so please indulge me and cast your vote!

[ayepatz]

I voted No, by the way!

[srbbones]

I find this very interesting. I don't know a great deal about this, but have done some reading. I tend to think that Scotland would be better of in the long term if they stayed in the UK. The argument is kind of pragmatism vs national (Scottish) pride.

[Rye]

Aren't politics an avoided topic on this forum?

[aaron878]

As an outsider looking in, I have to say that I think both Scotland and England are better off together. Scotland is already afforded a great deal of autonomy and the Scottish national identity seems to be in tact.

I don't see how they would be better off politically or economically after separating from the UK, oil money or not. If someone knows different I'd be glad to hear it.

[Skyfall]

The Republic of Texas supports Scotland!

[Hash]

I do not see any advantage gained for Scotland if they decided to break from the UK. Unless it is a question of pure Scotish nationalism that is driving that vote.

In the event Scotland breaks from the Uk would that affect the Single Malt prices!.

[srbbones]

Aren't politics an avoided topic on this forum?

I believe the rule is US politics, but I could be wrong

[Colt45]

W W W W D ?

[Maplepie]

W W W W D ?

W W J D

[Colt45]

W W J D

I didn't know he was Scottish!

[jedipastor]

I do not see any advantage gained for Scotland if they decided to break from the UK. Unless it is a question of pure Scotish nationalism that is driving that vote.

In the event Scotland breaks from the Uk would that affect the Single Malt prices!.

Scotland owns most of the oil in the North Sea. Their thinking is that with independence they'll be able to turn around and charge the UK more (or at least keep the taxes for themselves). There are plenty of other factors as well, of course.

Democracy: In a democracy, people are able to vote for what they want. All of our home countries have voted both great and horrible things into being in the last century, and that's just how democracy works. If most of Scotland wants out, then good for them. Even if it's not actually going to end up begin good for them, it's their right to make that mistake. The problem is that "the mob" can be swayed one way or another by a variety of means, and so those with money can alter a democratic outcome pretty easily. Also, most people aren't sufficiently educated on any given issue to make a good decision for their own self-interest, let alone the interests of others. Because of this, we have elected representatives that we designate to make decisions for us.

Republic: The UK, like the US and Austrailia, are actually representative democracies. These tend to work much better than pure democracies because, let's face it, sometimes the people are morons. As such, these elected representatives sometimes have to make choices that are in the best interest of their people, even if it's not what the people want (like President Lincoln). But such things are very dangerous, and can lead to potentially catastrophic decisions (ObamaCare? ... time will tell). Republics also tend more towards corruption. This is also how you end up with plain-packaging laws for Cuban cigars!

But having lived in Scotland for half a year, I felt compelled to vote YES. And I see I'm the only yes vote so far, lol.

[cottierm]

"And I see I'm the only yes vote so far, lol."

Not anymore Jedipastor, not anymore.

[ayepatz]

Aren't politics an avoided topic on this forum?

Just trying to gauge the interest of others outside the UK, not start a row. Lol

If it gets out of hand, I'll delete the topic.

If the mods don't beat me to it ;-)

[Rye]

I can't help but see similarities with Quebec wanting to be separate from Canada.

Will Scotland still want to use British infrastructure and currency? What about health systems and military? We have heard a little on the situation here, but not enough of both sides for me to pick either way.

It does piss me off when a state wants a pampered version of "sovereignty". If you really want to makes go at it, fine, piss off then, you get nothing that isn't within your borders already.

[Blippio]

I am aware of this though I'm not sure what would be best for Scotland (btw, I'm American with largely Scots heritage, not that it matters)

Nationalism aside, even though the oil revenues from the North Sea total hundreds of billions a year, there appears to be doubt on how long these reserves (the true lifeblood of an independent Scotland) will last. It would be a shame for them to pull away from the UK and soon have the oil run out... You can't do independence a la carte and I'm unsure of how Scotland would step up to providing services and social support that being a part of the UK now affords...

My heart says independence, my head says they should stay put.

[ptrthgr8]

...sometimes have to make choices that are in the best interest of their people, even if it's not what the people want (like President Lincoln).

Lincoln? Don't even get me started.

Back to the topic at hand. I don't have a dog in the fight one way or another, but I will always and absolutely support one peoples' right to claim their independence from another people. It's not about right or wrong or whether is makes "economic sense" (whatever that is). And so what if it is all about their pride as a people? Is that so wrong? Isn't that the very essence of independence? If Scotland wants to be independent from the UK, who am I to say it's a poor idea?

More power to them.

Cheers,

~ Greg ~

[Maplepie]

ChanceSchmerr visits a union. A whole country separates to get away from him.

Coincidence!? I say nay!!

(Also, Piggy. This thread is ample politics fodder for you! Come on the discussion of the constitutional monarchy. Explain the rise or fall of scotch prices. Debate the humidity conditions for ample spawning of midges in the Scottish moors. No stone unturned in this thread!)

[Pixa]

I can't help but see similarities with Quebec wanting to be separate from Canada.

Will Scotland still want to use British infrastructure and currency? What about health systems and military? We have heard a little on the situation here, but not enough of both sides for me to pick either way.

It does piss me off when a state wants a pampered version of "sovereignty". If you really want to makes go at it, fine, piss off then, you get nothing that isn't within your borders already.

Where to start Scotland is not a state has and always will be a country in its own right. Who were coerced into a union. Please how is that like Quebec. Scotland has it's own health system and infrastructure will set up its own military and currency is yet to be determined.

[laficion]

If you really want to makes go at it, fine, piss off then, you get nothing that isn't within your borders already.

I'm for that !!!!!!! Period.

[ChanceSchmerr]

ChanceSchmerr visits a union. A whole country separates to get away from him.

Coincidence!? I say nay!!

Dude, you're killing me. LOL

[Philski]

My heart says independence, my head says they should stay put.

That, in my opinion, is the entire argument distilled. (And no, not into Scotch before some wag gets there first - looking at you, Maplepie)

[Maplepie]

distilled. (And no, not into Scotch before some wag gets there first - looking at you, Maplepie)

Distilled!?

You mean like the-

Oh.

[Rye]

Where to start Scotland is not a state has and always will be a country in its own right. Who were coerced into a union. Please how is that like Quebec. Scotland has it's own health system and infrastructure will set up its own military and currency is yet to be determined.

Well, now I know a tidbit more about it. Like I said

I don't know enough to cast a vote!

[ptrthgr8]

Where to start Scotland is not a state has and always will be a country in its own right.

Interesting. What do you think a "state" is? Why is country sometimes also referred to as a nation-state? Why does the US (and other nations) have a State Department? Why are leaders of a country referred to as heads-of-state?