Posted on 09/07/2014 10:33:30 AM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
I have no dog in this fight, not being English, Scottish, or even Texan.
So I can look at it as a disinterested outside. Just think of me as Mr. Spock.
I gather some people have sentimental feelings on this subject that I am not in a position to appreciate.
Still, facts are facts. Scotland these days has a rather backward economy, huge welfare liabilities, and no public interest in fixing either problem. They have been sponging off the British economy for decades. They are actively opposed to foreign investment, industrial development, and even oil exploration. They are choked by rules and regulations and they seem to want more. In other words, unless the population is changed (the situation does seem that bad) , independence seems likely to put the country into an economic and social death spiral worse than it already is.
From where I sit as an independent and neutral analyst, an independent Scotland is an extremely high risk investment.
Not surprised to see the Americans here, for YES, doing so on the basis of silly Braveheart sentiment.
I agree with what you say, except the subsidy myth is just that: a myth.
We are 8.3% of the UK, give 9.9% towards the UK economy, and get 9.3% back. I am a staunch NO voter, and even I have to call out this myth.
These aren’t the numbers I have been seeing. Granted there’s all sorts of complications in extracting these.
As a % of the UK as presently constituted -
8.4% of the population
9.1% of tax revenues
9.3% of public spending
So a net negative as far as public spending. Granted that NI and Wales are even worse.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.