The United States should be nervous about the Scottish independence referendum

The London Telegraph ^ | September 9, 2014 | Nile Gardiner

[2ndDivisionVet]

(VIDEO-AT-LINK)

Next week’s referendum on Scottish independence has largely flown under the radar screen here in the United States. The cable news networks have devoted little attention so far to the issue, as the Isil threat in the Middle East continues to dominate international coverage. There has been no polling conducted on the Scottish question in the US, and it is doubtful that many Americans outside of the Washington policy bubble or the financial milieu of New York are particularly exercised by the outcome of a vote taking place over 3,000 miles away.

They should be concerned, however. What happens in Scotland will reverberate on this side of the Atlantic, and not for the better. Here are five reasons why Americans should be nervous about the outcome of next week’s vote if Scotland votes for independence.

1. The Special Relationship will be undercut.

The United Kingdom is far and away America’s biggest and most important ally. Anything that weakens Britain, and chips away at the Special Relationship, is a big negative for the United States. This fear has been amply expressed by dozens of members of the United States Congress, both Republican and Democrat, who are backing a resolution in the House of Representatives declaring that a “united, secure, and prosperous United Kingdom” is vital to US interests.

The Special Relationship is too powerful a partnership to be set adrift by a Scottish vote for independence...

[2ndDivisionVet]

Nile Gardiner is a Washington-based foreign affairs analyst and political commentator. A former aide to Margaret Thatcher, Gardiner has served as a foreign policy adviser to two US presidential campaigns. He appears frequently on American and British television, including Fox News Channel, BBC, and Fox Business Network.

[fso301]

There has always been a small group of Scottish nationalists, I think Moscow kept them going in the 20th century. What’s behind the sudden surge I do not know. A Scottish breakaway will have far reaching consequences.

[NavVet]

Remember Mel Gibson! !!

[Gen.Blather]

It would be easy enough for a George Soros type to stimulate the same here. As much as I love the country the Founding Fathers created, it appears to be gone. So, even I would be partial to the idea of re-starting a limited government, private property type country.

[SatinDoll]

I believe the Scottish are socialists.

[cynwoody]

Adam Smith was a Scott.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Great stuff from the political news junkie point of view. I been following this historic development for almost a year.

I am surprised how little this issue has been posted about, especially considering the abundant stories (even of the most mundane content) that gets posted regularly about Europe/EU. But then again all things considered... maybe not so surprising - LoL!

[monocle]

If you look worldwide, you would see that there are similar movements. They may be known by other names but they all appear to have one thing in common. Diverse peoples and cultures appear to protesting the intrusiveness of remote and distant governments. In the US, we groups looking to secede from state governments and even groups advocating secession from the US.

People are fed up with all meddling and impositions by politicians interested only in enhancing their public images. Wealth and face time on national airwaves are their sole goals.

[outofsalt]

Well, I’m glad England isn’t going all George Cromwell on the lads.
A fair chunk of the early Scottish migrants settled in the south and midatlantic (rebel) states. Many have wanted independence from centralized government for a long time.

[Pollster1]

In the US, we groups looking to secede from state governments and even groups advocating secession from the US.

A successful Scottish secession will increase the demand for secession here in the USA, and the example may make success here more likely.

[Cowboy Bob]

The best way to punish someone is to give them what they want.

Most of the socialists in the UK are in Scotland. Cut them loose. See how they do without someone else’s money to spend.

[outofsalt]

How ‘bout those Catalonians?

[scooby321]

I wonder how their immigration Policy will be over there?

[SatinDoll]

Yeah, and he has been dead for a while, correct? Or is that some other Adam Smith who wrote Wealth of Nations?

[Ken H]

Remember Mel Gibson! !!

'I am not a number, I am a free man!'

[BitWielder1]

If socialists are pushing for a free Scotland, it's not a free Scotland they want at all, they want a weakened England.

[NTHockey]

Left out number 6. Scottish independence will recreate a secession movement in Acirema.

[Berlin_Freeper]

What date is the Catalonia Independence Referendum?

[Alberta's Child]

There’s something ironic — and maybe even silly — about the U.S. expressing any kind of concern over a movement for independence from Britain, no? LOL.

[Bulwyf]

There’s a lot of talk about that in western Canada too.

If the three western provinces left, and dropped taxes and guaranteed property rights, restored our right to bear arms, and we got back rule of law, there would be lots of people to support that.

The problem is, eastern Canada wouldn’t last a day.