Monarchy, why have 'em

[kilted exile]

Ok, dont think this is current politics, so should be no problem on that score.

Opinions, people - are these worthwhile OR a meaningless figurehead.

My entire growing up in the UK, I think I may have met 10 people who were actually in favour of keeping them (and they were of the dyed in the wool, Northern Irish type). Can anyone suggest an actual point they serve - with the obvious exception of bringing in tourists something which I will acknowledge as the possible only reason for keeping them.

They have no impact on anything, no real decision making power (thankfully) and really do appear to be a meaningless figurehead. The majority of them will never do a days work in their entire life. Pointless, waste of tax payers money.

[Virgil]

I voted along with you. But I bet they do bring in tourists.

Seems like this is a current political question. :D

[kilted exile]

Nah, the political parties arent currently discussing it so all is good.

Also, I know deep down everyone has just been dying to get the chance to say I am correct, like always - so I thought I would give them a perfect opportunity

[AimusSage]

It is current politics, it's especially big where I'm from, so I ought to close it.

But I will be lenient. Just make sure to keep it out of direct politics.

And of course, keep it civil!

[kilted exile]

Yes, atta boy Aimus.


btw - dont think I`ve mentioned this yet, but, the Tartan Army are coming to beat the Oranje

[AimusSage]

btw - dont think I`ve mentioned this yet, but, the Tartan Army are coming to beat the Oranje
Dream on! :lol:

[LadyW]

The monarchy...
I find this a highly controversial topic amongst most people due to alot of patriotism.
I understand that it is a tradition and that they bring alot of wealth into the country from the tourist intake. Alot of the Royals have done military work and also charity work; therefore, I do respect them in this sense.
Then again, I can't help but think that these people are no better than the rest of us and they're getting payed and served for doing absolutely nothing at all.
In all honesty, I find the Royals rather pretentious... I understand the Queen has to maintain a sense of propriety and general..snootyarse-ness (:D) but really, wouldn't it be a better place if we had someone down to earth.

[papayahed]

I kinda dig them.

[kilted exile]

The monarchy...
I find this a highly controversial topic amongst most people due to alot of patriotism.
I understand that it is a tradition and that they bring alot of wealth into the country from the tourist intake. Alot of the Royals have done military work and also charity work; therefore, I do respect them in this sense.
Then again, I can't help but think that these people are no better than the rest of us and they're getting payed and served for doing absolutely nothing at all.
In all honesty, I find the Royals rather pretentious... I understand the Queen has to maintain a sense of propriety and general..snootyarse-ness (:D) but really, wouldn't it be a better place if we had someone down to earth.

I think I might dislike a down to earth royal family even more - just imagine some Essex couple talking to other heads of state.....wait that would be hilarious.


I kinda dig them.
yep, dig holes they could do that. Nah, seriously, that is an understandable viewpoint and why we keep them around.
Understandable


Dream on! :lol:

But, the thing is I keep seeing Gemell scoring in the '78 world Cup and just have real visions of McFadden doing the exact same thing:p

[TEND]

I agree with you fully, I can't believe by now the head of state here in Canada is still the Queen of England. Whenever she visits thousands of people flock to see her for no reason other than title, she does nothing for this country yet she's front page news over so many much more deserving people and events.

[Lote-Tree]

Ok, dont think this is current politics, so should be no problem on that score.
Opinions, people - are these worthwhile OR a meaningless figurehead.

My entire growing up in the UK, I think I may have met 10 people who were actually in favour of keeping them (and they were of the dyed in the wool, Northern Irish type).


You TRAITOR! How dare you! Off with your Head!! now!!! :D

God save the Gracious Queen! :D



Can anyone suggest an actual point they serve
- with the obvious exception of bringing in tourists something which I will acknowledge as the possible only reason for keeping them.


One reason would be it will stop Maggie Thatcher becoming the President :D

Second Continuity.



They have no impact on anything, no real decision making power (thankfully) and really do appear to be a meaningless figurehead.


Ceromonial powerless figureheads...not just figure heads.



The majority of them will never do a days work in their entire life. Pointless, waste of tax payers money.

They are begining to make their own way these days...sign of good things to come.

I think they bring more money into the country than they get from the tax payers.

Either case I am neutral on this. I don't think it will make much difference to average joe bloggs apart from to be proud - if that is the word - of continuity of history...etc.

As an democratic world...monarchy died long time ago....you can retain them as gimmicks.

I suggest Rotational Cermonial Figureheads.

Aveage joe is picked via lottery to be the Symbolic figureheads for the country.

Edit: I suggest I start it off :D

[Lily Adams]

You TRAITOR! How dare you! Off with your Head!! now!!! :D

God save the Gracious Queen! :D

Edit: I suggest I start it off :D

Well, you can see who voted for option #1. :p

Ha ha, typical Lote...


I really just see them as figureheads. It does make me sort of angry that they waste taxpayers' money, and I don't even live in a country where there is one.

I do love studying about them in the olden times, though...

[B-Mental]

Can anyone suggest an actual point they serve - with the obvious exception of bringing in tourists something which I will acknowledge as the possible only reason for keeping them.

I answered the poll this way, and then was ROFL when you said it maybe the only possible reason for keeping them. Anyways, I love this thread.

[SleepyWitch]

I am a tourist :banana:
I like them alright (at least the British ones; don't know anything about the royal families of Holland, Norway etc). I can see there are good reasons for abolishing monarchy, but now that the Queen even pays taxes... for me the monarchs are like tonsils or an appendix: they are pretty useless but as long as they don't have any infection, why cut them out?

by the way, in my country, we have a president as the head of state, but he's not elected by the people. he's appointed by an assembly of MPs from both chambers according to the size of their states... I don't think that's any more democratic then Lizzy.
he doesn't have much to do either, except travel to other countries and give a New Year's Speech.

[TheFifthElement]

Interesting topic Kilted :)

Hmm, I think there is no easy answer to this. Personally I support the monarchy but mainly because the alternative is no better. In terms of political experience there is no one with more experience than the Queen who, as part of her role, has weekly meetings with the Prime Minister which means that when she has discussions with the current Prime Minister, she can draw on her experience with the Prime Ministers of the past such as Winston Churchill, Clement Atlee, Harold Wilson. Whilst she is a figurehead I think it would naive to think that she has no influence.

People, especially in UK, complain about the fact that the monarchy have money, like so:



Then again, I can't help but think that these people are no better than the rest of us and they're getting payed and served for doing absolutely nothing at all.

but then the monarchy earn money for the state through tourism and through the contribution of their land. At the last accounting the monarchy cost £0.60 per person, and the vast majority of the money spent on the monarchy goes back into the community via employment. They also help to broker trade deals with other countries which brings money into UK. Also, I think that on the whole we have double standards when it comes to money. People are quite happy to complain about the monarchy having large amounts of money and, as LadyW said above for 'doing absolutely nothing' (which isn't exactly true) no one complains about celebrity brats who inherit wealth from their parents and do nothing, or a guy who can kick a ball earning millions. I bet the Queen does significantly more for this country than David Beckham ever does.

For me the primary reason for supporting the monarchy as head of state is that I find the alternative is quite scary. I'm sure we'd all get pretty fed up if we were inundated with Prime Ministerial and Presidential campaigns every 4 years, and then only people with vast amounts of wealth or financial backing can become President, as in US. So it's still about those with money having power, but because you have to elect them it's a four year battle of spin and lies. I think, on the whole, the monarchy gives us some stability.

I wonder, did anyone watch the recent BBC series about the monarchy? It was quite insightful, particularly concerning the work that the monarchy do, and their impact on UK relations with other countries, especially the Commonwealth. It was also nice to see Mr Bush, supposidly the most powerful man in the world, quivering like a naughty schoolboy beside the Queen!

[Lote-Tree]

[FONT="Courier New"]Well, you can see who voted for option #1. :p

Ha ha, typical Lote...


Just to amuse Kilty :D

[manolia]

Nice thread Kilt ;)
You already know my feelings on the matter so i will refrain from answering here . Greece got rid of her royal family with a public vote during the year ermmm...it was somewhere in the 1960's can't really remember right now :(

[TeeJay12513]

I also wont be involved in this dicussion because I think its promoting conflict between litnet members, no matter how much I want to throw my 2 cents in =(.

[Koa]

by the way, in my country, we have a president as the head of state, but he's not elected by the people. he's appointed by an assembly of MPs from both chambers according to the size of their states... I don't think that's any more democratic then Lizzy.
he doesn't have much to do either, except travel to other countries and give a New Year's Speech.

Same here, well he does nice speeches and acts as a grandpa, in fact the current one is 82 years old just like my grandpa, and I'm not kidding.

As for the British royal family, bah...I thought all Brits hated them but then I hear quite a few people who don't mind them. (not that they love them to bits, but they are not really bothered). My mum loves them because she watches on TV all that silly crap about their lives and that does make me wish the UK cut down on the monarchy:sick:

Ah, as for my country's monarchy, they were kicked out in 1946 and their male descendants couldn't set foot in the country until a couple of years ago when that law was removed :lol:

[Chava]

Everyone else pays 25% tax on all goods and services in this country, except the monarchy, the crown prince gets an multi million kroner annual wage, but had a total of 16 working days last year. They do not pay any income tax either... Say what again?
So, not only am I paying 25% and an additional 60% income tax, and an 8 percent of income to labour market contribution. with a monthly income of a little more than 4000 kroner? (The rent on my 20 square meter flat is 2,700 kroner alone)
Did anyone say grossly unfair?

[Nightshade]

Humm I actually think we should keep them because
a) They are great for doing media studies essays on...:D
b) They supply news 'fillers'
c) obviousley tourism
d) How cool of an old lady is she she actually figured out you tube.. I mean shes what 10-15 years older than my Oma... so yeah Kudos to her M.
e) The royal variety show.... Id miss it if it were gone.
f) Wed loose a great whining topic
g) They make better ( slightly more intresting) celebs than the new celebs...
h) and IMO most important I am planning on getting my hands on their private library ( Librarian to the queen :p) if we de monarch them then Ill lose the oppertunity. :D :nod: