Scottish Independence Yes or No

[Chas]

A responsible corporation will only set loose a seperate business unit provided it can be proven it has a chance to stand on its own financially.

That's a good starting point where we can agree on something

I have no doubt that Scotland can survive financially. I also have no doubt that Westminster figures can 'prove' that it cannot. Who do you want to believe?

[E24man]

.

[Chas]

people should be adequately informed about the decision and sufficiently old enough to be be able to understand the consequences of their vote.

That's an interesting proposition and one I'd also agree with. However, I honestly don't believe the majority of voters in any democracy are adequately informed to vote in a normal election, let alone an independence referendum. In fact, and at the risk of sounding disparaging, I suspect the majority of voters in a general election don't even have sufficient capacity of understanding to make an informed decision about the multitude of topics they are actually voting on.

Democracy, after all, is just another name for mob-rule.

[PerryGunn]

Democracy, after all, is just another name for mob-rule.

"Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time."

[John B10]

I have my own,very simplistic way of looking at the subject of independance.
At the moment, Scotland is a member of a club called the United Kingdom and as members we can use the club facilities like the currency and other financial arrangements, the welfare and benefits system, the national security forces etc. etc.
If we chose to become truly independant then I cannot see how Mr Salmond can expect to continue using some of these facilities. In my opinion there is still too much vaugeness in the SNP presentation and until more definite information is available, I remain unconvinced.

[ali]

Part of my problem with this whole debarcle is getting the truth out of politicians on either side of the fence.
As a well educated individual I struggle to fathom the truth out of what both sides are saying.
Labour and the Westminster Government clearly want to stay together and as such play their "Poker hand" that way.
They will promise Scottish voters the Earth even more devolution if we vote NO then come next election we will be sold down the river by empty promises yet again only then it will be too late.
On Sept 16th Scotland has a chance to be its own nation again and personally I'd urge all residents of Scotland to vote that way whether they be Scot , English or from wherever.
As far as I see it we are another colony that has yet top be handed back our stone of destiny and our right to rule ourselves.
Is the EU really all its cracked up to be? Norway seem to do OK at things on their own
Also it doesn't matter whether we spend Pounds, drachmas or kronas if we leave Westminster we should get a 10% chunk of the pot to ourselves and not be reliant on a Pound that is borrowed.

[B10BRW]

If the vote is yes, a lot of Labour MPs in the English parliament will lose their seats,
Oh what a shame

[ali]

If the vote is yes, a lot of Labour MPs in the English parliament will lose their seats,
Oh what a shame

And there will never be another Tory in Scotland

[olli]

That's also reflected in the relationship between Bavaria and the rest of Germany. It's a symbiotic relationship which works well. Germany is well balanced in economic terms with five or six geographic centres of excellence. Bavaria has it's own identity - but it is neither subsidised, nor subsidises, the rest of the country.

Not really correct in technical terms. Bavaria has got it's own identity and all German counties also have their own governments, doing some things differently, but generally and legally Bavaria has got no other status than any other county in the "Bundesrat". (although they insist on calling themselves "Free State" )
And Bavaria does well subsidise others, as their area is rich in options but not overly densely populated, so their employment and economy is very good. North Rhine Westphalia struggles a little more, as they as one of 16 Counties is home to over a fifth of Germany's population.
The instrument Bavaria complains about is called "Laenderfinanzausgleich" and regulates financial equalisation between the counties.

But I 100% agree that any Bavarian sees it exactly as you described it.

[Kentish man]

As a fairly well educated Englishman living in The United Kingdom ; just how much did The Scottish Parliament cost to build? How much money did Scottish Gordon Brown pinch from my pension? How much has Scottish Anthony Blair cost the UK in his warmongering? I could go on for days ,but you get my drift .Better together.

[JASV8S]

The politicians who drove the Scottish Parliament building, Gordon and Tony are all the Better Together people as well.

[Kentish man]

John.That's not the point. What my rant inferred was ,could Scotland afford these measures without westminster?

[Chas]

John.That's not the point. What my rant inferred was ,could Scotland afford these measures without westminster?

I'm not sure what your point is, in that case. Why do you want to subsidise a bunch of moaners who are profligate with your hard-earned taxes.

[Sorry but there's not a smiley for irony ]

[Kentish man]

I thought it was you lot ,who advocate leaving the UK who were the moaners. In words of few syllables please explain what we've done wrong to warrant your desire to go your lonely way,alone and unloved,cast adrift from mainstream political debate,splendid in your isolation.

[ali]

I thought it was you lot ,who advocate leaving the UK who were the moaners. In words of few syllables please explain what we've done wrong to warrant your desire to go your lonely way,alone and unloved,cast adrift from mainstream political debate,splendid in your isolation.

300 years of getting shafted by Westminster for starters ......

And what's with all this "you lot" nonsense?
The vote is open to all residents of Scotland who are not all Scottish
The independence vote is not an anti English thing at all so please stop looking at it that way.
It is a chance that us Scots have to rule our own destiny.
Whether we end up better or worse of than our neighbours is totally irrelevant.
We are but a Colony bought by Westminster in the 17th Century for £20,000
Yes that's all. £350 - £450 to the right people in Scotland who sold our country down the river