Ays the guy tæ first draw attention tæ oor elegant votin' system some years ago.. see link above .. Ah wa'nt tæ draw attention tæ oor votin system wance mær. Ah huv seen folk talkin aboot SNP1&2 oar SNP1 Green2. Ah hope tæ share a few thoughts here.. as no everywan is familiar wæ oor version o' the D'Hondt AMS.
*(An dæ yez mind o' Kezia Dugdale introducin tactical votin in the first place? flip! )
Wi huv 4 indy hærtlunds..Dundee, West Dunbartonshire, Glæsga an' North Lanarkshire. These ur safe seats fur the SNP.. but mind if yur a Nationalist campaigner, it jist takes no carin' tæ turn it aboot.
Afore anywan sæys yur bein' officious an presumptuous..these ur SUGGESTIONS ONLY.. dæ wit ye wa'nt! Noo masel.. Ah like tæ caw oor regions 'states' coz jist drap the pretense o' wit they wir.. coz thyt's wit they wir afore they goat bunked in 2014.
Sa we huv 12 states each wæ their æn capital city..
Which would Ah recommend coz no every horse is the horse ye rode iyn oan.. horses fur courses.. Gaun wæ the facts no the fantasies:
North tæ Sooth:
Shetland SNP 1&2
Orkney SNP 1&2
Na h-Eileanan Siar/Iar (Eileanan Hebrides, Western Isles) SNP1&2
Highland SNP1&2
Grampian SNP1 Green2
Tayside and Angus SNP1 Green2
Strathclyde SNP1&2 (coz somewan stupytly absorbed a loada Strathclyde intæ 'South Scotland' if yur 'West Scotland' North Strathclyde SNP1 Green2)
Central SNP1 Green2
Fife SNP1 Green2
Lothian SNP1 Green2
Borders SNP 1&2
Dumfries and Galloway SNP 1&2
Specifically
Orkney, Shetland, Aberdeen City, Borders, Dumfries & Galloway, Edinburȝh right need yon SNP 1&2.
Sa apært fæ the changes in regional member zonin' Ah obviously support tæ go bi state and no wit crazy hing's bin cooked up here.. there's a general rule: IF YE KEN WELL where ye yur an' ken SNP regional is a wast'yt vote (ays per the pic above).. then dæ SNP1 Green 2. IF YE URNÆ SURE.. dæ SNP1&2!
In the regional right picture: If ye see Green and næ SNP.. vote Green fur the regional! If ye see næ Green and næ SNP.. vote Green fur the regional! An ayt *awe* times vote SNP 1!
If anywan spots a mistake.. coz Ah'm only human.. an Ah DÆ mean mistake.. no 'jist awe dæ SNP1&2!' patter.. gee mæ a heids up.. Ah'd appreciate it.
Sidehing:
Honestly wi hud states fur years! An næwan thought tæ make the AMS state based?? doolally! Needs fixed.
Need tæ oust Jackie Baillie here in Dumbarton.. loada folk here support independence an she couldnæ gee a toffee fig! SNP 1 tæ oust her and Green 2 tæ no waste ma vote but.. Ah really like the Greens a'naw especially Patrig Hærvie.. he seems lit a guid guy. Allies iyn the fight! Gettin oor budget ower the finish line tæ.. dinnæ forget thyt!
Sa.. Ah'm gauny try again.. Ah HATE the idea o' dæn it in hInglish an sa, increasein hInglish cultural brainwa'shin an hInglish prestige vælyas (values).
However.. that said I will write this in English as people in Scotland have not yet woken from the sleep that is English reverence and unconscious Anglophilia.
One day I hope.. thyt wi escape thys hoose oar mirrors an thoughts o mirrors.. tæ fun oor true sels, oor true voice, wæoot shame.. awe yon shame forgotten thyt we are oorsels an no a shada o' the hInglish! ------------
REDUX
Once, God Willing, Independence is achieved I have a new style of governance I would like to introduce to you, it borrows from another system, specifically the USA, but I have expanded and leveled it, integrating our system with theirs.
Holyrood Upper House (Parliament) (4 or so years) Holyrood/Inverness Lower House (State Commissary) (3 years) State Capitals The Public Assembly (2 years) County Council (Local) (5 years)
The Upper House
The Upper House as it is now, except the additional members are there to represent their States. Commissioners do not sit in the Upper House, only MSP's sit in both houses.
The Lower House
The Lower House comprises of 10 Commissioners per state plus the AMS MSPs, so 12 states x 10 = 120 + 12 x 4 = 48.. with 4 additional commissioners for Strathclyde* 2 for Tayside and Angus and 1 each for Grampian and Highland. Making the normal 56.
* (due to the population of Glasgow City. Paisley City, Dumbartonshire) same for Dundee, Inverness, Aberdeen.
In total that makes 176 seats of the Lower House.
Commissioners are not allowed to be members or represent major parties of the Upper House, only AMS members may do this. Commissioners are encouraged to choose an unrepresented but registered party.. for me I'd probably vote Scottish Libertarian especially for the Strathclyde Land and Housing Commissioner! remove planning permission, reduce the cost of owning your own land.. do what you want.. I digress. AMS members vote by remote when they are in Inverness. They catch up on National laws by watching the Parliament Channel on laws they wish to support. They must also write a short letter, min 200 words, on why they are supporting this law which they read out over video call to the Upper House.
The Lower Houses job is financial scrutiny of all monies. all monies. They investigate Councils and why they spend or overspend (money wasted so the next year the budget is not lowered) and take measures to mitigate this, like having a common council fund and instead of wasting money the councils can simply apply for more.
The Lower House appeals for money from the Upper House, this is extra money such as the fund mentioned before.
Commissioners come from the field they are a commissioner in.. NHS, Police.. Military:
Roads and Transport.
Land and Housing.
Wellbeing and Welfare. (inc working conditions)
NHS.
Police.
Military.
Fire Search & Rescue. (inc Coastguard)
Infrastructure (Gas, Electricity, Broadband etc)
Green Energy and Waste.
Disability.
The Lower House has its own otherwise unrepresented parties. Meaning commissioners can be party partisan if they wish, but that party cannot be controlled by a party of the upper house.
This also means that candidates for the Lower House are there for merit only. To hold to account the councils and not be ruled by parties of the Upper House. It is the privilege of the Lower House to at any time launch an investigation in the dealings of the Upper House even the Government, even the First Minister should any solid piece of evidence be found to support such a thing,
It is reputed that Kezia Dugdale encouraged her Labour campaigners to encourage Labour voters to vote Tory, with the sole view of pushing the SNP out,, this was the first case of tactical voting in the Scottish Parliament. She took something elegant and beautiful and bend it to her own will of supporting the evil Union. Now we independence supporters are using this tactical voting advantage for ourselves.. which I now support for the cause of independence. Once this cause os completed I would like to see a return to our elegant system, but now the public know we can beat it by tactical voting.. we need a new system which cannot be beaten. This is the Lower House.
The Peoples Assembly
16 is the age of Majority in Scotland.. it is our adulthood. I propose that from 16 to 18 we have mandatory conscription to the People's Assembly. Second mandatory conscription 30 to 32.Third mandatory conscription 44 to 46. Fourth 56 to 58. Fifth 68 to 70.
A one week course on parliamentary etiquette with a qualification for passing.
The People's Assembly's job is to create and pass state laws but not national laws. Creation of laws show what kind of society people want to build and live in One term is 2 years.The first term would be the 16 to 18 years olds, then the second would be the 30 to 32 year old and so on.
Having approximately 4000 seats in 8 Halls of 500 seats, all interconnected via video calling.
In the People's Assembly all party combinations are allowed.
If a person is unable to attend, they are disabled, they are self employed, they are a boss and cannot be replaced, medical reasons as long as they can prove this to be true they can be excused. If not they receive a fine.
State Legislature
State legislature is divided up thusly.. Council regulatory laws by the Council, new laws come from the People's Assembly.
The Council are allowed to create laws that involve: city/town ordinance, mainly roads and refuse collection, green means, internet utilities, public lighting, public gathering spaces. They can also repeal laws the state has created.
The People's Assembly are allowed to create laws for the common benefit of all, new laws to enhance our civilization, They cannot repeal laws, but can make counter-amendments to laws past in their Assembly which are judged by the Upper House as valid or invalid.
No law either makes can countermand the National Law, but the People's Assembly can issue 'An Edict of the People' to the Upper House, this is an indication that 60% or more of the people have agreed, if the Upper House ignore the Edict it is the duty of the Lower House to scrutinize the current policy and ask why it is being kept when the people have spoken.
This all works together to make a finely tuned elegant system.. may God have grace, may it be that I have created in His Glory an incorruptible system.
It has built in redundancy for local laws, accountability, anti-tactical voting, inclusive, engaging.. there to serve the people, not any politician or cult of celebrity. You see, even in State elections can we change the balance of power forcing parties to work together and so another way cancel out the second vote tactical voting.
peace
Dava
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Hi www
Been thinking this for around 6 months to a year now.. a new layer to hold local councils to account.
In an independent Scotland.. I would like to see the return of our states .. instead of 'regional' MSPs we would have the same system but done, state by state.
Not just that.. but a board of 10 commissioners for each state.
Commissioners:
Roads and Transport.
Land and Housing.
Wellbeing and Welfare. (inc working conditions)
NHS.
Police.
Military.
Fire Search & Rescue. (inc Coastguard)
Infrastructure (Gas, Electricity, Broadband etc)
Green Energy and Waste.
Disability.
The job of these commissioners is not to spend money, but to make sure every last penny of public funds is accounted for, and properly used. With annual reports to the Government with recommendations.
It would be a 'Third Vote' in the Scottish Elections and the party who is in the most control of the state (my case Strathclyde and the SNP) would not be allowed on the ballot. Giving minor parties more scope and ensuring the party in charge is held to account. Of course it would be 10 extra votes and not a 'Third Vote'.. but a set of third votes.. you could ask for an individual ballot sheet for the commissioners, and choose commissioner by commissioner or have a single ballot with all the parties standing and just go with your party of choice.
Once a month for one week, the state MSPs meet with the commission board and discuss the local councils progress and spending.
Any one of the commissioners could lodge a complaint in their field with the Scottish Government over the behavior of a council and an inquiry would be carried out to the commissioner's satisfaction. But the monthly meeting as meant to avoid it getting to this stage. The commissioners office would also have the power to launch an inquiry in to any corruption and submit reports to the procurator fiscal.
I think that's it :) .. easy enough to understand.
Last month I wrote an article on my thoughts of Scottish Libertarianism (see here)
I would like to expand on this, with an interpretation of what my brand (and hopefully yours after reading) .. my brand of Scottish Libertarianism is.
Truthfully I am a SNP lifelong voter, and have most of my life voted Green for my second vote. If in a independent Scotland, our states are reinstated.. with a commission board responsible for holding the councils to account, I would use my third vote for a Scottish Libertarian Commissioner to Strathclyde so long as they would assure the below. I may even switch my second vote to SLP, providing the Scottish people are allowed free electricity via green means.
I will vote SNP for my local council, as it is important that those who are in authority local (council) are in one mind with the government due to budget concerns and vice versa. But a Commision Board holding the local authorities to account and again, entrusted with value assurance.
Mission Statement
I posit, the worth and morality of Scottish Libertarianism is in value for money. That it is the righteous duty of every SLP officer in any style of governance, to take to task those who would abuse the consumer, that SLP officers are required, nay, honor bound, to defend the individual against such corporations and banks.
The Sick, Disabled and Elderly *must* be cared for, and cared for well with reimbursement, by this the SLP signal to the whole world, Scottish Libertarians too are moral.
No other party currently looks towards value for money.. come with me as I open your eyes:
We are working to live to death in our own coffins, as house sizes are so insulting they may as well be showboxes with a lightbulb.
The SLP's duty should always be to provide value for money housing.. ensuring that we do not live in slums, but other parties ensure we do not live in slums, they provide clean affordable housing, but that housing is so small and expensive (in relation to value) those parties and not providing for the people and so not empowering the people. As a minimum I would like to see housing that has at least 1 half acre of land and the right to build as you please on your own land.
The Right To Afford A Suitable Bed
Before anyone says this is a frivolous addition, we spend 1/3rd of our lives in bed. It is important for humans to be able to rest.. take it from someone disabled with sleep apnoea, who is agony most if not all of the time. I struggle and struggle to afford a suitable bed. Most want £2000, although cheaper ones are available, they are not suitable.
*(I am 6'4'', need a soft mattress with a interlocking spring base, tuned correctly.)
The Right to Transportation
Transportation is one of if not thee most important personal liberty in Scotland; Scotland has the vast Highlands and the Scottish people's right to be empowered to cross it.
I suggest EV roads, that run alongside cycle paths. Classed as 'C' roads, with their own speed limits. (max 15.5mph = 70mph motorway) and charge points.
I suggest that from 12 years old, EV (Electric Vehicles) limited to 15.5mph but unlimited in torq* be availed to every school goer. The Vehicle, a mix between a car and bicycle can be purchased from the government via a layway scheme. Lo-Jacked (GPS Tracker chipped) and electronic clamped in case of theft.
From 14 years old, every pupil is expected to be taught and gain their driving licence. Americans called it 'Drivers Ed.' .
This is just one 'brick'.. a cornerstone in making sure the Scottish people are not poor. I need a garage to keep my EV in. Larger housing with more transportation.Multiple types of vehicle, one for each need and type.. the children need to visit a friend? they each have EVs (with passenger seat) and have specific C roads they can use and be safe. Need to go shopping? Use the EV car. Need to go out of town to another city? Use a Hydrogen based vehicle.
So long as the initial energy to diffuse the hydrogen in the water is Green, the only waste by product is water.
The Scottish people need to be able to spread out, to have the homes we wish and deserve and for that.. we need transport. For every man,woman and child of Scotland.
*(so that hills greater than 45 degrees can be climbed)
The Right to Free Electricity
In my last article I said this:
"The Scottish Greens areI feel a moral party.. but they bang on about the environment, which is important, without thinking about the average person.
If the Scottish Green were to provide free electricity to all of Scotland's citizens via green means.. then who could care how the electricity is generated? We stop getting a say because we no longer pay for it.. and so then they could generate that electricity via green means and the average citizen wouldn't have to care.
This would be for private citizens only and not businesses."
Think how empowering it would be for the people of Scotland to benefit from our natural resources in such a personal way! Scotland has just under 1/3rd of all Europe's not just the Kingdom's.. but Europe's green energy. Each citizen is charged a year maintenance fee to pay for the workers that keep the green machines going.. imagine something like £100 per year at the start of February (Start of January is not a good time but the next month). £100 per household and each business keeping a meter as it is now.
For the SLP.. think on this.. no other party offers the Scottish people access to their own resources, it should be little more than a courtesy to do so.. but it seems no party has even thought of such a thing!
The rest of the energy, along with other natural resources is sold like any commodity and the money is used to look after the the sick, disabled and elderly. (except land.. land should always be only for the people of Scotland and should never be sold off again.. we are aware of our history and that we should never repeat it)
Taking Businesses To Task
Is the duty of the SLP to provide personal empowerment for each and every Scottish Citizen.. and to do this, those who would seek to empty the wallets of those citizens, unjustly and unfairly, it is the duty in my estimation for every SLP officer to take such businesses to task, ringing them short and I would hope you agree.
Hello, I'm Dava, 44yo from Dumbarton,, Dumbarton 'State' Capital of Strathclyde, but I'll come back to that later..I'm Center-Left SNP lifelong voter, I also vote Scottish Greens, but I also have a few center-right Libertarian views I would like to share with yous today, if that's okay..
Firstly, my impression of American Libertarianism is that; it's far too extreme for Scotland. My view of Scotland's right wing history is that we are traditionally more Libertarian than Conservatist Capitalist.. morality is derived for Governments from very few things, lack of corruption, willingness to provide to the weakest and no attempts to steal from other countries (land/resources). Remove any of these and you get Imperialism.. Communism equally as bad but functions differently.. both are watered down fascism.
5 'moral' Styles of Government, each just trying to provide a solution to a problem.. Marxist Socialism, European Socialism, Liberalism, Libertarianism, Conservatist Capitalism.. none are innately 'evil'..
And so long as they provide for the sick, disabled and elderly, can claim this morality for themselves.. and why is such a morality important? .. A party *must* qualify itself in the public's eye as moral to achieve government.. Libertarians in general (but especially American Libertarians) are revulsed by the idea of having some of their income go towards a person who hasn't earned it..but with most if not all systems of improvement.. you gotta pay your dues .. and to become a government the Scottish Libertarians must, I feel, do likewise, those dues being providing for the sick, disabled and elderly. I see the Scottish Libertarians as the de facto replacement for the Scottish Tories in a independent Scotland.. but I will warn this, you will never achieve government if you are perceived to be like them; imperialist and immoral. So then you would need to provide a 'lesser welfare state' for that group of three above.
Not to punish people because they.. can't. But to punish those because they won't. I think youwill agree there is an ocean of difference between can't and won't. Especially when it comes to morality.
Let's switch this up a bit..
Independence for Scotland is the intelligent option.. the passionate option.. but what society would we build?
Land Ownership
I would like to see a day in a independent Scotland where.. you wouldn't need planning permission to build on your own land.. sure sure.. if you are going to SELL or RENT that land you must knock down any structures you made yourself.. so we don't get slumb landlording..but if it is for you and your family.. I don't see why we need all those permits and fees. For house building.. I would like to see.. government pre-approved licencing for pre-fab builders.. much like taxi drivers need a badge, prefab companies would need a licence from the government an inspector from the government comes and checks the work after it is finished and if it is not up to code then the prefab company pays to fix any code problems..
Think about how liberating it would be for the individual! .. no permits. no extra fees/taxes.
Firstly we must claim back the land for the people, especially in light of Scotland's history and the Highland Clearances.. I don't think any party that supports Scottish independence also opposes the land reformation proposals (lead by the SNP).
I feel I have a very Libertarian outlook on land ownership. Our land for our citizens, empowering us to have families .. as many children as we want (as you will know we have a population crisis in Scotland).. we need more children.
Currently we have 230k shoeboxes. shoebox with a light bulb. It's shameful.. that we claim to be a western country, but have such dollhouses for homes. I would like to see a Libertarian government force builders to give value for money.. as currently, its nothing short of a tragic 230k joke. (click link)
War
I agree with 'No intervention, without provocation.' This I feel is very on piste with Libertarian values of war.
I agree with troops having money spent on them.. they shouldn't be hungry or needlessly tired in the field.. but why the flip are they there in the first place??.. lives being risked and all that money is being wasted to profit Westminster's weapon manuf. chums. 120 years of the English (and Americans) going to the Middle East/Iraq and stealing their stuff. killing their children and branding the arabs terrorists.
SNP policies I disagree with..
I see Scottish Libertarians being vocal about the free speech vs hate speech.. I personally, do not agree with the SNP hate speech bill and value free speech to a much higher degree.
Removal of our 'states'.. in 2014 the SNP disbanded our Scottish states .. it was a widely unpopular policy, and even SNP supporters hated it.. But to be fair to the SNP, they had to do it this way because the Tories were strangling the budget due to the ghost story that is 'austerity'..not 100% their fault, but still.. unpopular.
Scottish Green policies I wish were true..
The Scottish Greens are I feel a moral party.. but they bang on about the environment, which is important, without thinking about the average person.
If the Scottish Green were to provide free electricity to all of Scotland's citizens via green means.. then who could care how the electricity is generated? We stop getting a say because we no longer pay for it.. and so then they could generate that electricity via green means and the average citizen wouldn't have to care.
This would be for private citizens only and not businesses.
Libertarianism and Welfare State..
This is a double edged sword.. on one hand.. no one should die because of money.. as money is just an idea and human life must always.. always be valued more than ideas. On the other side.. money is how we reward those in our society for the value of their work.
Any party that comes into government inherits the unemployment of the last government..
I find it totally irresponsible for a party to immaturely just throw up their hands and say to some unemployed person; that's not our problem that's just your problem..
So if there were a Scottish Libertarian Government.. it shouldn't I feel be about punishing those who suddenly just found out they might starve to death under a Libertarian government.. I don't know what that system might be.. but there must be a better option, more suited to Scotland.. perhaps government labouring jobs.. not 'chain gang' prisoner style, but honest pay for honest work. +10% on minimum wage per hour..?
Free dental, medical.. the NHS.. the idea the Scottish Libertarians will dismantle the NHS is a bit like poking a lion with a stick.. it's not wise and the amount of savage backlash from the Scottish electorate on dismantling this treasured institution .. might leave the Scottish Libertarians wishing there was a NHS to mend those wounds..especially after this pandemic and the heroic efforts of said NHS.
Ultimately..
Ultimately..I feel there are many lions in Scotland they shouldn't be poking with sticks.. maybe the idea Nye Bevan had.. fitting Socialism into a Capitalist/Imperialist structure, making it palatable for the electorate.. but in this case.. fitting (a watered down) Libertarianism into a European Socialist structure.. giving Scotland the right wing option of a party that financially, due to the money on war going directly to banking and industry/free market (for personal small loans to start businesses and enabling the free market* more) has a Libertarian outlook.. but won't go around poking lions with sticks.
Dava's Hitchhiker's Guide to 'Things Unionists say..'
Hullo fellow supporters o' independence!
Noo Ah'm goiny dæ the rest iyn hInglish, as ye mæstly will bæ arguin' in hInglish.. asides, no everwan kin read Scots.. sa wæoot further adieu..
hInglish:
'Once in a Generation'
Remind Unionists this argument cuts both ways.. 'Once in a Generation' is only true IF 'Union of Equals' is equally true. Besides we have a legal precedent of Northern Ireland that is 7 years. It cannot be contested and MUST be applied to Scotland also.. I wonder if Ms. Joanna Cherry QC (known lovingly as 'Big Jo' but I will maintain the honorific) would enjoy taking Westminster to court over a legal obstruction of civil rights?
Union of Equals means we too just like Northern Ireland are entitled to a referendum judging our constitutional status.. every 7 years if we so wish.
So even IF we accept.. once in a generation, then a generation cannot be more than 7 years as per the Good Friday Agreement.. or the Unionists are in breaking the promise of equality.. in turn I add this: neither are in law.. neither 'once in a generation' or 'union of equals'.. but as good faith that is one is believed to be true both MUST be publicly honoured, as both were public knowledge to either side.
'But England subsidizes Scotland' (or GERS or Barnett Formula)
Let's stick to the facts shall we?..
1. 32.8 Billion Pounds of Scottish tax payers money is spent by Westminster on Scotland's behalf.
2. Westminster has never published detailed papers how this money is spent.
3. The Barnett formula does benefit Scotland more than England, but who says England is getting a good deal in the first place that we are getting better? 2p is better than 1p to run a country.. but still not a good deal for either.
4. The Allocated Spending Budget.. is a made up figure.. it's not how much Westminster can afford it is how much they determine the kingdom can subsist on. Let alone they actually spend the tax on the people.. and not on war. Each missile is £200,000 btw..
5. Number 5 is much like number 2.. but it NEEDS underlined, the Scottish Government publish the GERS figures.. but NO ONE not even the Scottish Government know what Westminster spend that 32.8 Billion on.
Maths:
£68.6 Billion (click link to see total tax inc north sea rev.)
28.8 Billion bloc grant to the Scottish Government.. who 'borrows' a further 7 billion from the 68.6 Billion means we spend 35.8 Billion in Scotland.. and 32.8 Billion is spent by Westminster.. on Scotland's behalf.. on what? ferry companies with no ferries??
We contribute 6% of defense budget as per our population of the 'UK'.
Unlikely:
'UK' GDP
The Kingdom's GDP is £2,148,902,827,500.00 or £2.1 Trillion Pounds.
Now we know it cannot be the following figures as it is more than Scotland earns in tax:
6% of £2,148,902,827,500 is £128,934,169,650 or 128 Billion pounds.
Scottish GDP Our GDP is £152,041,562 per year. Or just over 152 Billion per year.
6% of £152,041,562 is: £9122493.72 or 9.1 Billion.
This is a exuberant amount for Scotland.. mind boggling!.. to put it in perspective, our half brothers and sister in Norway.. and she is rich!.. spent 61.6 Billion Krone.. or £5.1 Billion on defense..
Likely:
Now.. the Tories.. and at times Labour like to 'top up' this budget, few billion here.. few billion there.. but the base line is as follows:
In 2018 (see this link) the Kingdoms defense budget, foregoing 'top ups': £37,623,679,645 or £37.623 Billion pounds..
6% of £37,623,679,645 is £2,257,420,778 or 2.2 Billion pounds
This is scenario 3 & is the most likely.
Although saying that.. I wouldn't put Scenario 2 anywhere near a Tory Imperialist. Like handing your baby to a serial killer.
6. Lean into the Truth.. make it your weapon not theirs.
I freely admit that Scotland does benefit from a greater defense budget..but that's not enough to keep us in the Union.
NEVER LIE or BLURT OUT SOME NONSENSE TO BACK UP WHAT YOU ARE SAYING..
It is much more important to be truthful AT ALL TIMES.. so we can make irrefutable arguments with TRUTH and not as the other side does.. tries to win with lies. tries to win with opinions.
The truth is impossible to argue with.. make sure you are on it's side.. because we are righteous, we have SO MANY examples of what we say is true.. make sure you show others and by doing so convince doubters, who will also read what you write.. that we are truthful.
Scotland's not a 'real' country, the real country is the United Kingdom'
A: The United Kingdom is a legal entity with sovereign rights, it is classed as a country even though this is a misnomer.. its is a 'country of countries'.. just as the EU is, the UK was before it*.
*(Except with a lot of horror coming from the English.. selling us as timeshare slaves and running us off our land etc.. murdering us, occupying our land, trying to starve us to death.. trying to starve the Irish to death.. etc.. )
We are a recognised non-sovereign country by the UN. The Law we have about Sovereignty of the Scottish peoples only applies internally to the Kingdom and not internationally. We still have the right to revolt against any monarch or parliament that tries to take away said sovereignty.. which may make it seem ineffectual words.. but if Westminster denies what we demand.. they are in breach of that law.
To be clear: they are starting a fight.
'Scotland was just as much of the Empire as England was'
From my Quora:
For the first 38 years of the Union, Scotland was rebelling against the Union (1745 - 1707 = 38). Rebelling was costly and the money ran out.. 5 years later 1750 the Highland Clearances begun, 1750 to 1860.. one hundred and ten years of Westminster backed Highland Clearances, while the original instigators of this was Scots ‘nobles’ .. their descendants had the Scots well out of them.The normal course of things would have been a rebellion but with Westminster and English soldiers as a power base.. a natural rebellion could not take place.
So we are at 1860.. let’s look at a map during 1860:
The Evil Empire is clearly shown above. Just because Westminster kicked Scots off their land and they moved to ‘the colonies’ does not indicate guilt. In fact there are reports of emptying villages and being forced onto boats against their will headed for America or Canada.. indentured into servitude.
1707 The Act of Union England pays off a load of corrupt Scots nobles, obscene amounts of money to vote for the Union.
“Another negotiator, Sir John Clerk of Penicuik, who was an ardent Unionist, observed it was "contrary to the inclinations of at least three-fourths of the Kingdom"
One hundred and ten years of kicking people of their land.. making Scots indentured servants (10 year slaves to America or Canada). Burning their house down.. all enforced by Westminster.
So we are now at 1860.. a relatively good period between Scotland and England, Queen Victoria treated Scotland well as she loved us, and so our middle class could feel self respect in the first time in over 150 years.. it was first and last time.
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If anyone has any more arguments they would like me to address.. please let me know :)
There are many pros and cons.. and indeed considerations to Scotland have our own currency. I hope to outline the majority of them here to give readers information.. again, hopefully, clear informed choices.
The Pound Scots
Pro:
The most clear advantage of our own currency is control of our inflation.. what is inflation? at its nucleus, inflation is when prices get either too high for the average consumer, or prices get too low for businesses to make a profit to compete with larger businesses (multinational conglomerates). Governments have a responsibility to mediate inflation, chiefly to negate it (like it doesn't exist or is nullified) for the average consumer, to empower the consumer to buy as much as possible.This in turn maximizes profit for the many businesses involved.
In short.. we all hate inflation; governments, businesses and consumers.
Being able to set tax rates, interest rates and currency exchange rates, empowers a government enough to control inflation, removing currency control impacts the effectiveness of the measures taken and prioritizes that economy for foreign needs.. like if we had the Euro.. which is a beneficent idea and not necessarily a bad idea for Scotland, especially as the EU is excellent at curbing inflation, but it is entirely possible that Scotland may need to go in the opposite way the EU goes with the Euro.
Not to mention control of Scottish banking.. our own currency means we control our own banks and our national funds.
But a Scottish national currency is higher reward for higher risk and more local flexibility.. it empowers the government more as I have said but then we come to the risk part..
Con:
Currency raiding.. is when a group or a individual with a serious amount of cash begins trading a new currency with a view to deflate it's worth and by doing so, they (could potentially) make tens of billions or hundreds of billions of dollar/pounds.. enemies of Scotland could plunder Scotland's wealth without so much as a skirmish.. simply by trading Scotland's currency in large amounts..
How can the be avoided? Ah-ha! This only applies to fiat currencies.. currencies without financial backing.. we in Scotland could stop currency raids dead in its tracks if we are a bullion based currency, gold and silver bullion.
If our currency trades at the same rate as gold and silver, it is those markets that determine our currencies price,, this throws up a wall protecting our currency from raiding.. it's not impossible to raid.. it just becomes very very hard. And tbh not really worth the raids while.. because if they could raid the gold and silver markets.. they would be doing it already.
Thoughts:
Right now the deal with gas and oil companies is a joke. It mocks every Scottish citizen.
Ideally we would have one or two nationalized small oil fields for our own people to keep our prices of gas and petrol down (as we transition to green energy).. and the resources should be sold outright based on estimations done by the Scottish Government..
Sold outright resources (not the land or sea but only the resources).. upfront payment based on estimates done by the Scottish Government .. North Rona oil field estimated at 200 Billion.. so the Scottish Government sells the resources at 150 Billion and no tax..but must be paid upfront in full.
That 150 Billion then goes into Gold and Silver Bullion..
Rockall
.. and when we crack open Rockall, at around $2 trillion dollars worth.. while researching this I found out there is a dispute about the ownership of Rockall.. which is weird as I was just about to suggest this (see following) before knowing about the dispute..
Let's get our Norwegian half-brothers and half sisters to do the actual extraction and give them 5% after cost, our French cousins to distribute it to Europe (first offer/refusal to a French oil company.. plus no tax for upfront payment, 5% to the French Government).. the remainder split half between Alba and Eire, we are twins.. and I don't really care about a stupid fight and want to see my twin sister profit greatly.. it would be great if she would offer the same for her patch of the trench.. we could go all in and split it between us 50/50.. doesn't matter who had the most, just share and not care like we should.. but if it would start a fight then no.. I wouldn't see it suggested to her. Love her too much.. I'm at the point I just want to give her money, make sure she has a little extra in the bank.
That leaves 900 Billion dollars in Rockall alone for Scotland.. more than enough.. significantly more than enough to have our own currency. The annual wealth of Scotland (not simply tax but everything) is $202 Billion dollars so more than four times what we need to cover our currency costs.
Cons:
The Westminster governments have done deals with oil companies to drip drip money in the form of tax.. this is clown shoes on a super model; dumb. I worry the Scottish Government in the independent Scotland would do the same.
Money upfront is the smart way to do things.
The Euro
Not the world ending disaster some would make it out to be.. in fact the Euro has many pros. The main con is as above.. the inability to curb inflation.. but since the EU is excellent at curbing inflation, we consumers don't have to *really* care about that too much.. but it would be nice if we could go a step further and control this, but not essential.
Pros
Inflation is managed by the EU, which have a track record of well managing this. It is near impossible to currency raid.. as the trading bloc is too large..
The main advantage to the Euro is cultural .. we never need to currency exchange when traveling in Europe. This is a very friendly thing to do.. prices would be the same as back home pretty much and we are already familiar with those brand equivalent prices.
Prices to houses stay the same. Prices for goods stay the same. It is a lateral move to adopt the Euro.. with two caveats that I'll come to now..
Cons:
Without our own currency we cannot generate our own wealth the same way.. its complicated to explain but.. we are acting as guarantor for any currency we enter into.. our oil, our gas, our green energy becomes a guarantor of sorts to that currency. Joining the Euro.. might mean we ask a levy for the guarantee we help assure on the Euro .. and so the EU would have to pay us a levy.. and they *may* not like that. Sure they will let us in for free.. its is very beneficial for them to do so.. but if we charge them say 500 million to 1 billion Euros a year as a levy.. erm they probably won't like that.
Greece.. we see what currency raiding does without it *actually* happening..Greece almost bankrupted the Euro.. the EU are still having problems with Greece last I checked (2018)..What if another EU country near bankrupted the Euro?.. it is scary.. but it is also less likely if Scotland joins the Euro..as I said we become guarantor..so we would become Europe's 'bank' along with Germany and France.. we would be able to say yes and no.. be able to cut off a country's bail out package.. say no when no is needed.
Does this benefit the people of Scotland.. not very much in exchange for what is offered.. but we are building bridges here and compromises must be made.. besides where-ever my sister is (Ireland) I want to go also..
Thoughts:
Pros and Cons aside.. the transition to the Euro would be an entirely smooth one. Moving to the Pound Scots is a bumpy adventure in comparison and we don't know what ghosts wait in what closets.. The Euro all in is a lateral move.. giving up a medium slice of control in exchange to ensure said smooth transition.
I didn't point this out specifically.. but really should now.. Scotland has just under 1/3rd of ALL of Europe's Green Energy .. this goes into the mix as guarantor .. its not a light thing to offer the EU and we should definitely receive a levy payment imho.
Norwegian Krone
Erm.. unlikely, our half brothers and sisters would accept us in this (but you never know.. they loved us enough to offer us a place on the Nordic council.. which was WOW, thank you so much! <3 ).. if they did.. we would become one of the richest currencies in the world, if not thee richest currency in the world..
Our both low population compared to GDP and the fact no one is going to try raiding the Krone..
Pros:
Richest currency in the world (probably). Quality of life (QoL) would skyrocket for both countries.
Cons:
Both countries pulling in opposite directions.. erm.. Norway has a style of unbridled inflation.. complicated to explain here, but everything is expensive.. everything.. and they like it that way, it's how their governments generate cash.. its smart.. very smart way of doing things.. but definitely wouldn't suit Scotland. We like things cheap.. and if we don't get it cheap; we do without.. or go and hunt for it at the price we like for hours.
The Pound Scots pegged to The Pound Sterling
Dumb, dumb dumb.. ohw man this is dumb! But why would any government do this? Because the people don't understand how all this works and..
Q: Wait! your high and mightiness..then why don't you explain how this works??
.. and they panic. OK.. I'll have a crack at this, although I feel I have touched on many of the points already..
People start panicking that they won't be able to sell their house for the same price they bought it and be able to clear their mortgage.. which generates more panic and house prices start to crash and people are willing to take less and less for their houses.. it becomes a buyers market.
In turn this effects/affects interest rates.. which as a knock on effects/affects inflation and so knocks on to businesses .. with me so far?
The government doesn't want to peg its new currency to another.. so imagine this..
People panic = crashing house market = interest rate change = higher inflation = harder for people to be consumers = businesses have less cash and less power = unemployment rises .. all of this weakens the new currency.. unless it is pegged to another.
Solution:
Don't move house until the currency is bullion backed with at least 200 billion dollars of gold/silver.
That simple. Don't move house.
It'll take around 5 to 10 years for the Pound Scots to stabilize once the Bullion has hit 200 Billion dollars worth.. so talking 15 to 20 years..?
But people don't like to hear this.. on the other hand.. if you want your children/grandchildren to grow up and work in a ultra successful country with good wages and plenty of jobs.. don't move house and stop being a baby.
We done?
Q: Well calling people babies for wanting to move house is a bit much.. but otherwise yeah that was straightforward to understand.
Summation
While its easy to say this or that on this topic.. the actual topic itself is complicated for people to understand at a glance. Ultimately it would be nice to have our Pound Scots back.. giving us control of our own fortunes.. good or bad.. and I think that's what many people want.. me? .. I hover around 50/50 Pound Scots/Euro.. slightly leaning towards having our own unpegged currency so we can control our own inflation.. but make no mistake I am terrified of being currency raided.. so then I start to think about the Euro and how attractive it is and without that same risk.. the Euro is doubtedly to me.. a lateral move, the safe bet.. but having our own currency while risky.. due to our unique circumstance of resource vs population.. we could maximise an already very rich reward.
Peace
Dava
Ah'll dæ a Scots version when Ah kin bæ bothered.. knackered the noo and need a haud o` a pal tæ help him wæ PC stuff.
Asides it is a noble hing tæ support *true* Scottish businesses on acoont o' us bein Scots & nationalists..no wans fæ far flung shores or w/e.. Lit when Ah discovered Grahams Spreadable.. Ah ditched Lurpak.. Lurpak is Danish an' miby we awe ken how clæse hInglund is tæ Denmærk.. lit bro'ers they ur.
Graham's Dairy hus 'Purely Scottish' wæ a saltire oan their blue and black tartan backgroond.
No a curdie o' the butchers apron oar ony unionjackery..
#unionjacksenditback
Sa withoot further ado..
Unionist
Bell's
(drink/whisky manufacturer) Wis seen coverin whisky boatles wæ union jacks fur export. Aye Bell's.. ye goat caught! Power of miny eyes on yon internet!
Note the London Clock.
Why sæy they got caught?.. coz they wir tryin tæ HIDE it!! Wa'nt'yt nationalists money bit still tæ bow tæ the hInglish! Bell's huv every riȝht tæ their POLITICAL views.. bit no tæ ony money fæ those thyt widnæ gee thum it! Ah've every riȝht tæ boycott thum.. coz it's ma money!
Noo owned (since Sept 2nd 2020) bi the English/Unionist Burton's Biscuit Company.
See here: https://www.scottishgrocer.co.uk/2019/09/02/paterson-arran-sold/
Walkers Shortbread
Walkers Shortbreid; Unionist.. an' Union Jackery afoot:
Stewart's Scotland
Tæ bæ fair... they dinnæ hide bein` unionist in the slightest.. sa Ah guess the 'scottish and british' thing.. bit even thyt said.. Ah thought this wis a bit much (see pic) :
Fæ Perth Scotlund
They huv an'oer wan.. a Bulldug dressed up wæ a Union Jack hat.. an` a few mær Scottish lookin` wans.. bit erm.. aye thyts wit thyt is.
Farmfoods (Færmfids)
Seen thys through ma door.. Unionists confirmed!
While Ah appreciate the individual country aspect .. aye it's milder.. still ends up ays 'be british' which jist means 'be hInglish'.
Marshalls Acts lit it's a Scottish business bit is actually hInglish: C/O Pasta Foods Ltd Forest Way, New Costessey, Norwich, England, NR5 0JH
Neutral
Barr's
Barr's huv bin *affy* vocal aboot bein' neutral.. Ah cannæ stress how vocal Barr's huv bin aboot bein' neutral. Even though, it is speculated, they oota awe the companies huv *the mæst* tæ gain fæ Scottish independence.
Farmfoods (Færmfids)
Wis an ærticle a few years ago Ah read.. sæyin' Færmfids officially sæyin' they were neutral.. the reporter went oan tæ interview some o' the staff.. who were.. awe hInglish unionists an' fæ hInglund. (UPDATE 26th/Sept/2024 Unionist)
Whyte & Mackay
Owned bi a Filipino company the noo.. Emperador. Ah've heard næ wird o' thum puttin Union Jack's oan Scotch boattles.
Bells of Shotts Food Group (not same as Bell's Whisky, different company)
Dusnæ seem tæ bæ affliated. Ah wisnæ sure aboot McGees a'naw.. bæth seem wieshty (quiet/shy) oan politics.. bit skreven 'Britain' fur McGees an' the mær neutral 'United Kingdom' or 'UK' fur Bells o` Shotts.
Swatch update below, Ah first swatched it masel Oct/2021
Nationalist (+ assumed)
Grahams Dairy (Confirmed)
Grahams dæ ice cream a'naw.. wan mini review.. mær o' a gel/gelato thun a ice cream. Ah bought twa.. bi the end o' yon second wan..felt Ah wis jist eaten it tæ support a indie supportin' business.. needs a bit o' work.. an' then.. flatten Mackies!
Fæ yon same ærticle fæ above aboot Mackies.. Aldi likewise hus bin there tæ support independence.. however misguided.. fæ thum it wis a nice gesture. Bit.. we shoulnæ fund folk thyt support the union.
Mær ben wæ Aldi's dedicat'yt Scottish FB page: https://www.facebook.com/aldiscotland
and mær ben tæ: https://www.aldi.co.uk/scotland
Lidl (assumed)
Bæth Aldi an' Lidl did some heavy investment in their Scottish stores æfter the Brexit vote.. bæth iirc announcin' they wid bæ increasin' jobs here an' pourin' in effort tæ keepin' Scots supplied.
Wis owned bi Mother's Pride.. who ur owned bi the (English) Unionist; Premier Fids. Bit ownership hus passed back tæ A McLelland an' Sons, who seem (tæ mæ) tæ bæ nationalist, goin' bi the packaging:
Hall's of Scotland (Nationalist)
Hall's o' Scotlund cud bæ nationalist.. oar federalist.. wan hing is fur sure.. their owners Browns Food Group (Scots: Broons Fid Group) were RAGIN' o'wer brexit! read here
Note: 'tæ'.. Scots an' no the hInglish 'to'
UPDATE 24/Apr/2021: New packagin wæ 'Aye we're Scottish' aroon the Saltire, means Ah'm gee'n thum a confirmed!
Bell's of Shotts (assumed)
Update October/2021:
Bell's o' Shotts hus update'yt there packagin tæ include 'Proudly baked in Scotland' wæ a saltire. Noo Ah'm no 100% oan the everyhin o' thys.. mibe jist baked cakes they dæ thys fur.. no sure. Wid love tæ see mær o' thys oan awe goods.. especially steak bakes n bridies!
That's enough fur noo, Ah've bin oan this fur a few h'ours.. Ah'll bæ back n' update as is.
Dava
---------------------------
Back an furr'yt.. no sure
Lee's of Scotland (assumed Nationalist but.. Royalists)
When Tunnocks came oot in support o' the union.. nationalists flocked tæ Lees. Ah masel did this.. an' last year (2019) bought an g'uy queer amoont o' their tea cakes and snowballs. esp. sna'baws! :) buyin 10 x packs o' 6 per fortnight.
