tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post4728653720625167781..comments2024-03-29T11:36:35.692+00:00Comments on Capitalists@Work: Always a RoundheadCityUnslickerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15929544047783163175noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-64815027032249033022011-05-03T15:14:19.926+01:002011-05-03T15:14:19.926+01:00Of course there are better ways of organising the ...Of course there are better ways of organising the country! But worrying about whether our figurehead is there by divine right or popular mandate is absolutely the wrong place to start.<br /><br />To be fair, if we had to elect a non-political head of state this week we would probably choose William or Harry.Old BEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06974090439936326476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-71301396581262641072011-05-03T12:38:07.496+01:002011-05-03T12:38:07.496+01:00CU -
"And makes us rather bear those ills w...CU - <br /><br /><i>"And makes us rather bear those ills we have,<br />Than fly to others that we know not of?"</i>Labanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12031578024191117985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-16802969771701462192011-05-02T20:23:54.033+01:002011-05-02T20:23:54.033+01:00Thanks for all your comments, somehow I knew this...Thanks for all your comments, somehow I knew this post would attract a few.<br /><br />I still think there is a better way of organising the country than we currently do and that the Monarchy is not the place to start a Government.<br /><br />Havign said that , it is pretty benign compared to many of the ills we face so I end my republican campaign now.CityUnslickerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15929544047783163175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-72156222424411208522011-05-02T19:33:03.717+01:002011-05-02T19:33:03.717+01:00Dismayed you shall have to remain and for some whi...Dismayed you shall have to remain and for some while, I should think.<br /><br />The republicans in this country have just been utterly trumped. The simple reason is that they're wrong. It's hard to put a finger on why ... they just are.<br /><br />Politicians simply can't muster the popularity of the Royals nor the loyalty of the people. In fact politicians are hated and distrusted.<br /><br />Let's have a war to sort the issue out then. You'll be up against nearly all of our armed soldiers and nearly all of our armed police (voluntarily and willingly sworn to the Crown) before you even start. And rest assured that 80% of the population will be behind them too.<br /><br />Well there's been no vote on the issue but that sounds pretty democratic to me.<br /><br />It's about the best event we've had in years and could mark a turnaround in national pride and identity - boosted our reputation globally, to say nothing of the institution of marriage.<br /><br />And Victoria Beckham, Jordan and Kerry Katona are about as far removed from Wills, Harry and Kate as could possibly be. What a breath of fresh air and how on earth has a fine mind like your own confused the two ?<br /><br />Neil Kinnock for goodness sake ???<br /><br />Thank God I didn't have to watch that odious creep Blair in the congregation with his ugly, yawning wife beside him. And if that's typical of republicans then I say fuck republicans.<br /><br />This and Osama. What a week to remember !<br /><br />This could be the very jolt we need. And if so it's worth every penny.Electro-Kevinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18073103431166273080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-79846869519450811892011-05-02T19:30:29.669+01:002011-05-02T19:30:29.669+01:00This comment has been removed by the author.Electro-Kevinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18073103431166273080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-16234896428799417322011-05-02T19:18:58.461+01:002011-05-02T19:18:58.461+01:00This comment has been removed by the author.Electro-Kevinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18073103431166273080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-64084020220508665312011-05-02T04:12:20.136+01:002011-05-02T04:12:20.136+01:00"Expected lost labour production is £7.9 bnil..."Expected lost labour production is £7.9 bnillion"<br /><br />Presumably we should stop taking weekends too, in order for labour production to be maximised.<br /><br />"the US has this right"<br /><br />As you know, the residents of the continental colonies were fighting a rather different battle in the late 18th century than native Brits were then and native Brits are now.<br /><br />Our constitution is definitely flawed, but not because of the existence of a ceremonial head of state. Electing a ceremonial head of state would hardly remove the many things which are standing in the way of "anyone" making their own way in Britain.Old BEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06974090439936326476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-83902317115931661652011-05-01T20:51:43.428+01:002011-05-01T20:51:43.428+01:00Didn't Elizabeth pick Cameron? Ho hum - monarc...Didn't Elizabeth pick Cameron? Ho hum - monarchies are just institutions; they neither run nor don't run things. If we eliminate them we just change the name on the door. Kinnock is a very bad example. <br /><br /> Royalty as an office has preceadence, it has claim & counter claim. I don't think people should be so sophisticated as to choose the tripartite system of governance which is executive, military & people - all drivel under-graduate courses teach judiciary, legislature & executive but if Syria & Lebanon teach us anything it is that they're pretty unstable. <br /><br /> We haven't truly seen the Monarchy @ Work, for we are young and they are old, but i'm not able to go into revisionist history and commend that the monarchy has done good work for Blighty. If they are merely constitutional then that would be even worse work.Dick the Pricknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-54848490234181326792011-04-29T23:36:25.105+01:002011-04-29T23:36:25.105+01:00cityunslicker: "I would much rather see even ...cityunslicker: "I would much rather see even Neil Kinnock as titular head of state than the Queen."<br /><br />In one sentence you have demolished the argument for republicanism.<br /><br /><br />Apart from the revolting corrupt Kinnocks just think of the contenders:<br /><br />Prescott [ althought his wife might have the dignity to carry off the role of first lady ]. Isn't that an odd title to hold in a republic?<br /><br />Lord Martin of Springburn. Jesus wept!<br /><br />Lord Mandleson. Feeling suicidal now.<br /><br />Baron Hestletine.<br /><br />That's just some of the more prominent detritus of the british political 'elite'.<br /><br />Word verficiation: mingingAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-29510639655084826122011-04-29T20:19:05.656+01:002011-04-29T20:19:05.656+01:00Sounds reasonable to me, Sackers.Sounds reasonable to me, Sackers.James Highamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14525082702330365464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-55739842492332314122011-04-29T19:21:31.941+01:002011-04-29T19:21:31.941+01:00Before you have a republic worth the name, or conc...Before you have a republic worth the name, or concomitant with it, you must have democracy - in a Jeffersonian sense. We do not have a democracy, nor will we have even if AV becomes the system of choosing our neglectful and arrogant tyrants. Bollocks to your republic. Even America couldn't sustain it. And Cromwell only besought Parliament to consider that they might be mistaken when they stopped following his orders.Sackersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17284329249862764601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-86302172318018520192011-04-29T14:31:19.510+01:002011-04-29T14:31:19.510+01:001) the monarchy is the living totem of our tribe.
...1) the monarchy is the living totem of our tribe.<br /><br />In the US, to be republican is to be an American patriot, in Ireland to be an Irish patriot, in France to be a French patriot. There has been no patriotic British republican tradition since Cromwell - what republicanism exists is, often explicitly, anti-British.<br /><br />2) Monarchy, like religion, appeals to the irrational in human nature.<br /><br />I use irrational here to mean something which human reason is ill-equipped to grasp or comprehend, but which may nonetheless play an important role in human affairs. Complex or imaginary numbers could be an analogy. I can't grasp the concept of the square root of -1, yet it plays an important role in physics. <br /><br />A society can get rid of monarchy, just as it can get rid of religion. But irrational urges in human beings cannot be so easily removed. If they cannot be expressed via the structures built up in Britain over the centuries, they will find an outlet elsewhere.Labanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12031578024191117985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-44906808770205397942011-04-29T13:05:36.034+01:002011-04-29T13:05:36.034+01:00The Royals are marvellous. It adds to the gaiety ...The Royals are marvellous. It adds to the gaiety of the nation, provides a non-political focus for loyalty, and prevents a dictatorship by keeping ultimate power out of the hands of the grubby politicians. As for the cost argument, I can't imagine President Bliar forgoing air force one & the odd palace or two. The worst thing is he would think he had earned it, rather than being born lucky!<br /><br />Off to the tower with you, CU.Sebastian Weetabixnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-33413104938149994872011-04-29T10:23:01.812+01:002011-04-29T10:23:01.812+01:00I thought Kinnock was bad until Bliar came along.
...I thought Kinnock was bad until Bliar came along.<br /><br />By definition an elected President is devisive. One with no power is pointless. A Lord Protector must take power from the PM - no PM would go for that.<br /><br />That leaves us with the PM as Head of State. Would s/he want to do the ceremonial bit? Thought not. I know, lets pass that tedious business on to someone with no power like .... er ... the Queen.Budgienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-86224473209684936152011-04-29T09:33:02.816+01:002011-04-29T09:33:02.816+01:00CU I see no warts in the picture of Oliver, he ins...CU I see no warts in the picture of Oliver, he insisted that they paint him warts and all, many people lost their lives in the civil war on all sides, it seems the Arab countries seem to be doing that very same thing as indeed the US did in the 1860's things get very nasty when there is civil war.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-60174297076484195242011-04-28T20:22:27.038+01:002011-04-28T20:22:27.038+01:00I've got no objection to the monarchy or this ...I've got no objection to the monarchy or this particular set of royals, so I'm no a republican.<br /><br />I won't be celebrating the royal wedding beause I'm not overly bothered, and that turned into being actively affronted when they chose to source their crockery in China when there are firms in this very city that would have been delighted to do the work (and need it).<br /><br /><br />As an economic liberal I oppose protectionism and I certainly wouldn't try to somehow stop them buying where they like by means of the state. Yet, in addition to free trade, I believe in consumer power and we certainly do make statements when we open our wallets. I eat and drink from wares made in Stoke, and if the royals can't be arsed to do that then guess what, I can't be arsed to celebrate.<br /><br />Who's "unpatriotic" now?<br /><br />My dissertation was on the aftermath of the civil war. I have a great regard for the roundheads. It was reading about the Restoration and the Glorious Revolution that made me understand how precious this country's legacy is and how easily freedoms can be snuffed out. <br /><br />That was in 2005-6. It was around this time that I realised what a cunt Blair was with his attacks on civil liberties, and I've changed my mind on a fair few things but an oppositon to the last goverment remains.asquithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14246701347539264295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-10175343084568825892011-04-28T19:39:17.200+01:002011-04-28T19:39:17.200+01:00You're a Republican? I am surprised!
As Stev...You're a Republican? I am surprised! <br /><br />As Steve L says, leasing off all their castles and parks (or making them accessible for public recreation) is a splendid plan.<br /><br />As to the new Royal Family, I nominate Posh & Becks.Mark Wadsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07733511175178098449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-82367397425120115082011-04-28T19:15:06.449+01:002011-04-28T19:15:06.449+01:00Better than having the sleazy hypocrites Kinnocks ...Better than having the sleazy hypocrites Kinnocks as the first family/president<br /><br />but yes all things being equal you would not invent a monarchy.Seanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04362169593902131947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-4563088958214409452011-04-28T18:42:36.986+01:002011-04-28T18:42:36.986+01:00Electing someone is precisely not the point. Elect...Electing someone is precisely not the point. Elections are political.KoRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11163824542900298686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-43619165938552799062011-04-28T16:33:58.688+01:002011-04-28T16:33:58.688+01:00Modern - electing someone is the point, even if th...Modern - electing someone is the point, even if the role is ceremonial. As to the constitutional government tnat we have, that is no longer serving us well either; but that is for another day.CityUnslickerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15929544047783163175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-18754609116566094962011-04-28T13:26:37.182+01:002011-04-28T13:26:37.182+01:00Yeah kick them out of Bucks Palace and lease the l...Yeah kick them out of Bucks Palace and lease the land for high rise developments!<br /><br />Be worth it for the look on Charlies face let alone the few billion quid.<br /><br />Would probably pay for that aircraft carrier, the QE, how ironic that would be!Steven_Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05029437876479574883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-24944039658843651432011-04-28T12:55:22.927+01:002011-04-28T12:55:22.927+01:00Kinnock?
I'd rather have Fergy.Kinnock?<br />I'd rather have Fergy.Bill Quango MPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14861116614665461655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-4095752787596730642011-04-28T11:56:11.228+01:002011-04-28T11:56:11.228+01:00off with your head !
Kinnock ? FFS
that's n...off with your head !<br /><br /><i>Kinnock ?</i> FFS<br /><br />that's not republican, that's perverse !Nick Drewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13670594203660051701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32841798.post-26468594831509909352011-04-28T11:54:13.528+01:002011-04-28T11:54:13.528+01:00The Royal Family have no real power though, and ar...The Royal Family have no real power though, and are merely there as a constitutional figurehead. Though if they played a greater role in politics, I would definitely want them replaced with a president. But I don't think there's an appetite for a US-style head of state, we already kind of have that in the PM, so a UK President would fill the same constitutional role as the Royal Family, i.e. out of politics but acting as a constitutional figurehead. So we might as-well keep the Royals.ModernLibertarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07143157292889653395noreply@blogger.com