Scottish Referendum / Independence
Discussion
Christ, I dread the day if we get independence. As a country we couldn't manage to build a new Parliament for £45 million and it ended up costing over £400 million. We have a population of 5'000'000 with 500'000 civil servants when Norway with a similar population can do with half that amount. Another great display of Scottish competence with the Edinburgh Trams fiasco,just wait until we start to build a new Forth bridge! We are all doomed I tell yee!
stichill99 said:
Christ, I dread the day if we get independence. As a country we couldn't manage to build a new Parliament for £45 million and it ended up costing over £400 million. We have a population of 5'000'000 with 500'000 civil servants when Norway with a similar population can do with half that amount. Another great display of Scottish competence with the Edinburgh Trams fiasco,just wait until we start to build a new Forth bridge! We are all doomed I tell yee!
The idealistic view of Norway just doesn't stack up whe you actually look at it. On paper it's great, in reality it's really not so great. It's well funded communism with an iron grip on the population, in many ways.jshell said:
The idealistic view of Norway just doesn't stack up whe you actually look at it. On paper it's great, in reality it's really not so great. It's well funded communism with an iron grip on the population, in many ways.
I've spent a fair bit of time in norway and with norwegians, i think you're over egging th pudding somewhat. They certainly have a national charachter akin to other scandinavian and germanic neighbours with a focus on collective well being most likely moulded by the harsh environment in which they live. But Finland is similair and wealthy without the oil, so is sweden.The scots are much more like the irish.
mattnunn said:
jshell said:
The idealistic view of Norway just doesn't stack up whe you actually look at it. On paper it's great, in reality it's really not so great. It's well funded communism with an iron grip on the population, in many ways.
I've spent a fair bit of time in norway and with norwegians, i think you're over egging th pudding somewhat. They certainly have a national charachter akin to other scandinavian and germanic neighbours with a focus on collective well being most likely moulded by the harsh environment in which they live. But Finland is similair and wealthy without the oil, so is sweden.The scots are much more like the irish.
Even the Norwgians call it the last Comunist state of Europe.
It's not as rosy as it tends to be painted by the SNP. There are vast differences between Norway and other scandinavian countries such as Sweden and Denmark.
mattnunn said:
jshell said:
The idealistic view of Norway just doesn't stack up whe you actually look at it. On paper it's great, in reality it's really not so great. It's well funded communism with an iron grip on the population, in many ways.
I've spent a fair bit of time in norway and with norwegians, i think you're over egging th pudding somewhat. They certainly have a national charachter akin to other scandinavian and germanic neighbours with a focus on collective well being most likely moulded by the harsh environment in which they live. But Finland is similair and wealthy without the oil, so is sweden.The scots are much more like the irish.
jshell said:
It's more the total control of the population that I was talking about in terms of what the social security number means and is used for. Government control and access to records is like a Jack Straw wet dream. Penalties for such things as speeding are stratospheric. They won't upgrade roads as it 'encourages people to drive faster'. Many over the counter UK medicines are banned. Taxation is unbelieveable. Regulations are reminiscent of Eastern block idealism. Unions have an absolute stranglehold on business.
Even the Norwgians call it the last Comunist state of Europe.
It's not as rosy as it tends to be painted by the SNP. There are vast differences between Norway and other scandinavian countries such as Sweden and Denmark.
Another point I always hear Norwegians complaining about is the price of everything. Even the Norwgians call it the last Comunist state of Europe.
It's not as rosy as it tends to be painted by the SNP. There are vast differences between Norway and other scandinavian countries such as Sweden and Denmark.
They might look rich on paper but I remember when I lived in Newcastle Norwegians would come over and marvel at the goods on display in shops and the unbelievably low prices. At that time (about 10 years ago) many Norwegian households had only one TV, one car and would eat out only on special occasions. Alcohol consumption is pretty much weddings and Christmas only.
AJS- said:
mattnunn said:
jshell said:
The idealistic view of Norway just doesn't stack up whe you actually look at it. On paper it's great, in reality it's really not so great. It's well funded communism with an iron grip on the population, in many ways.
I've spent a fair bit of time in norway and with norwegians, i think you're over egging th pudding somewhat. They certainly have a national charachter akin to other scandinavian and germanic neighbours with a focus on collective well being most likely moulded by the harsh environment in which they live. But Finland is similair and wealthy without the oil, so is sweden.The scots are much more like the irish.
AJS- said:
mattnunn said:
jshell said:
The idealistic view of Norway just doesn't stack up whe you actually look at it. On paper it's great, in reality it's really not so great. It's well funded communism with an iron grip on the population, in many ways.
I've spent a fair bit of time in norway and with norwegians, i think you're over egging th pudding somewhat. They certainly have a national charachter akin to other scandinavian and germanic neighbours with a focus on collective well being most likely moulded by the harsh environment in which they live. But Finland is similair and wealthy without the oil, so is sweden.The scots are much more like the irish.
Don't get me wrong, it's a nice place to live, but not for a very long time. It is very hard to buy decent food though!!
Just on prices, a 2007 Audi A4 1.9tdi with 50k miles on the clock will cost around £25,000!!
Could someone please link me that report/graphic I recall seeing on here that showed London and SE being the only regions that had a tax:take surplus and how, although closest out of the other UK regions, Scotland was still a net burden on UK Plc?
As for my opinion, as a proud Scot and Brit, if they get independance, I'll fill in my transfer forms in work and get the hell out of here. Although North sea oil revenues remain good, tourism could be improved and the new oil revenues of West Shetland will be good, there core problem is an independant Scotland would only work if all the work shy dossers suddenly upped and pulled their weight too. Cant see it happening.
As for my opinion, as a proud Scot and Brit, if they get independance, I'll fill in my transfer forms in work and get the hell out of here. Although North sea oil revenues remain good, tourism could be improved and the new oil revenues of West Shetland will be good, there core problem is an independant Scotland would only work if all the work shy dossers suddenly upped and pulled their weight too. Cant see it happening.
Hey, if they want to be independent then let them them go and the best of luck to them.
What comes after is more interesting for the rump that's left over. What happens to Northern ireland? They're entered into a Union with Great Britain. Which way do they jump when Great Britain itself is sundered?
What comes after is more interesting for the rump that's left over. What happens to Northern ireland? They're entered into a Union with Great Britain. Which way do they jump when Great Britain itself is sundered?
More power... less subsidy... let the be-kilted whining 
s see if the majority of their fellow countrymen/women are as dumb as the nomenclaturi think they are.
It is a plus for the UK.
The be-kilted jessies will be paying out for prescriptions, education and christ knows what else at the real cost... bankrupt in 10 years max.
It's not even warm, so they can't rely on tourism.
s see if the majority of their fellow countrymen/women are as dumb as the nomenclaturi think they are. It is a plus for the UK.
The be-kilted jessies will be paying out for prescriptions, education and christ knows what else at the real cost... bankrupt in 10 years max.
It's not even warm, so they can't rely on tourism.
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