An over-simplistic definition uni. Aspects of Thatcherism maybe libertarian at heart, but hardly "neo". Thatcherism, if it even exists, is more about pragmatic-government. It isnt even an ideology as such. Anyway, thats all a bit too heavy and its time to go home! Vote NO mate - you know it makes sense! As most politicians and economists would tell you - you only make a leap into the complete unknown if you already know what the out-come will be!
Im going to vote yes because its an issue beyond cold economics. I want a scotland tun by those living there. And you swine for going home. Im just about to start work
You might vote with your heart, but your head will want to know why your tax bill is going to go through the roof! Gym, pub then home uni. Work hard!
............and they are a very wealthy country.[/QUOTE] They are, but their population have paid for it. Good economic sense if you can afford it. Put your oil taxes in a fund which will help future generations when the oil runs out and along side that (and because of the benefits the oil industry has brought) tax the population to provide an extensive welfare system. Problem is they have been doing that for decades. Salmond claims he can replicate it with a decreasing oil reserves (maybe 30 or 50 years), volatile oil prices, a projected public services spending gap (in his own white paper) and without taxes increasing. There is absolutely nothing wrong with aspiration, but it's crazy to pick another country and just claim "we'll do that and there is no risk or downside".
Way I look at it is that the people of Scotland can vote which ever way they please, its their country & it's up to them. Once that is over & done with we will see if we actually get a vote on Europe or get knifed in the back like we did last time.
Uni, you have put up a canny argument, but if I remember correctly you run the bar for lecturers and thinkers. All respect for your MA degree as well, but it is a cold hard world out here. If Scotland's break is full and final then the cost of running the country without Westminster support of all kinds will be huge. Could be an opening there for you in the new Scottish Civil Service, leading to increased taxation over the decades to administer the break. Just let Salmond have his Lordship then put him out to pasture.
Scotland wont be following the Scandinavian model to the letter. Alcohol is so expensive in Norway (and the govt have a monopoly on it) that people go across the border to Sweden to get there booze (still very expensive). Oh and for the cherry on top lager is capped at 3.5% usually 2-2.8%. They put a lot of credit for there quality of life on there healthy principles. Exercise, eating correctly and not drinking excessively. They basically have the opposite mindset to scots
A word of warning though if you get an influx of Muslim immigrants. I know Super Gran is Scottish and she can look after herself but tell her to keep an eye out if she's doing a spot of gardening & for **** sake don't let the cats out.
