Scottish Independence referendum, 2014

[patrick1]

I'm conflicted.  As an American I worry what independence means for the military capability of our most steadfast ally.  I frankly think the rest of the Union would be strengthened economically without Scotland.  On the other hand, I fully support self determination, devolution and question the legitimacy of the Union in the first place.  Were I a Scot, I would support a Republic.

Voted yes in the poll.

[patrick1]

I'm conflicted.  As an American I worry what independence means for the military capability of our most steadfast ally.  I frankly think the rest of the Union would be strengthened economically without Scotland.  On the other hand, I fully support self determination, devolution and question the legitimacy of the Union in the first place.  Were I a Scot, I would support a Republic.

Voted yes in the poll.

Yes clearly (sarcasm).

Scotland are right now a major reason the British BOP doesn't look worse than it does, so no the British economy will be weaken by losing Scotland.

A lot of social spending has been subsidized from England over the decades as I understand it. If Scotland has full control over their finances, they will have to make difficult decisions that the SNP was able to blame Westminster for.

[patrick1]

I'm conflicted.  As an American I worry what independence means for the military capability of our most steadfast ally.  I frankly think the rest of the Union would be strengthened economically without Scotland.  On the other hand, I fully support self determination, devolution and question the legitimacy of the Union in the first place.  Were I a Scot, I would support a Republic.

Voted yes in the poll.

Why do you consider the UK to not be "legitimate", and what does this entail?

Because of the way it was passed,  bought and paid for and jammed down the populaces throats with no input. I realize 1707 is a long time ago but as a democracy now the people should have right to self determination that they were never granted. By equal measure the Act of Union of 1801 was also illegitimate, in my opinion.  Even without real representative democracy, the first attempt failed and then it was crammed through by bribery. The tragedy that an Irish Parliament had to have responded better to the Famine, it being really hard to do much worse.