Monarchy Versus Republic?

[Theland]

I never used to have much time for the Royals, and I still think they let us down quite often, but I believe I was confusing the people with the office. Therefore, I do believe that our Monarchy is a good institution that should be preserved, even if it is required to change with the times.
Wouldn't a British Republic be a backward step then?

[brionon]

The English love to bow to their betters.
Get rid Of the 3 R's, Royalty, Religion and Racialism.

[Theland]

With respect, replace Royalty with ... ?
Any great examples of a republic?

[wizard69]

Theland, WHY do you believe that the monarchy is a good instituition?Do you believe thats it moraly right to give a bunch of spoilt, inbred, immoral,adulterous toffs huge amounts of our cash in order that they can live a life that most of us can only dream about?

[Theland]

Wizard - No I don't, but the office of monarchy serves, I believe, as a stabilising influence on our society, better than, say, a president.
I have a liking for the Irish rebublic, where the president is totally above politics, but the French and US models etc are probably just as expensive as ours, and don't do as much in giving us continuity and a focus for loyalty for armed forces, pooice, political parties. etc

[wizard69]

And just HOW does the monarchy serve as a stabilising influence? Do we really live in a stable society?
And why would I want to be loyal to a bunch of aristocratic inbreds who have nothing to do with me?
personaly I would welcome a revolution that would see the end of this anacronism, a leftover institution from the times when the wealthy ruled and the peasents lived desperate lives of toil and hardship.
Tell me Theland, if you ever met the queen (or any other member of her dysfunctional family), would you take a bow? Why?

[wizard69]

Personaly, I would like to keep my dignaty.I wouldnt even shake hands with members of this monsterous bunch of perverts.

[Theland]

That is my point surely? Mixing up the person with the office?
Yes, I would show her respect, purely out of good manners.

[wizard69]

Theland, good manners dont come into it.Would you have shaken hands with Adolph Hitler given the chance (purely out of good manners)? I doubt it.
Mixing up the person with the office? Its not an office Theland, they were born into this privaleged wealth,the wealth that is paid for by us, the common people.Do you really think that the queen respects us.NO.
Its like they say--absolute power corrupts absolutly.
Anyway, what is the precident for respecting parasites?

[wizard69]

Just had a thought Theland.Is your respect for the monarchy born out of the fact that they profess to be christians and the head of the Cof E? Or maybe because your bible tells us to obey our leaders and to pray for them.Do you pray for the royals?

[seekeerz]

wizard69, have you read the book "Something of Value'
I voted against a Republic here in Australia when we had a referrendum because the options put forward were simply unworkable.
You may see the royal family as an anachronism in this day and age and I understand that, but behind the monarchy are countless years of justice, the Westminster system of government, I could go on but before you tear something down you must have something of value with which to replace it - would you like to live in Zimbabwe for instance?

[brionon]

What would you put in the place the Monarchists always ask and then ,''President Thatcher'? No I would draw lots and hope that Theland doesn't win. Wouldn't mind Wizard,though. Monarchist and Xtian-- Synonym ?

[Dolly1308]

As I've stated before I really hope all you so-pure and undefiled republicans will one day get the Republic you deserve .If you think that the people who rule these Republics are so marvellous and uncorrupted why do so many desert these countries to come and live here.
Just remember too people who in glassho uses shouldn't throw stones .I wish you what you deserve . Try reading a bit of History and get educated re Republicism.

[brionon]

Dolly ,do you think the Queen rules England ? If not why should you think that another figure head would rule ?

[reinganum]

An interesting way of looking at this is the poll which is done now and again, which asks people (in many countries) where in the world is the best place to live.
Countries which consistently come at the top of this poll are usually either parts of the British Commonwealth (Canada, Australia, NZ) which have the Queen as head of state, or countries in northern Europe and Scandinavia, all of which (except Finland) are monarchies.

I frequently challenge people who say they want a republic to describe exactly how this would be structured. Would the president have executive powers (as in the U.S.)? Or would the president be little more than a figurehead? How would their legislature and judiciary fit into this structure?
The answers I get demonstrate that they (usually) hadn't thought about this. They just want to destroy what currently exists, without thought. They know what they don't want, but can't be bothered to think about what they do want.

We tried a republic once; it lasted only 12 years and the monarchy was welcomed back, though not perfect. Nothing ever is.

[lafrancaise]

Having a monarchy gives a backbone to a country. There's that continuation thing that we all like as it makes us feel that more eternal. It doesn't matter what the people are like they're the descendants of generations of monarchs. I would however give them a role to play; it might have been a good idea if Charles, when years ago was giving talks on global warming and going on about producing organic food, had been listened to... A country like France without that backbone is just open to more politics and more politics. You'd never get millions out on the streets over here for a wedding, a funeral or an 80th birthday so you don't have that 'patriotic' thing.
The Queen is a bit like a Mum, though I haven't a clue what Charles would be like as a 'Dad'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dannydingbat]

...and to deal with the public money issue - we spend more on the Opera House in Covent Garden each year than we spend on the Royal family. The Family cost us 60p. each a year and out of that they pay staff who have jobs and circulate that money and pay tax on their incomes. Compare that to the �60 each person in Scotland costs the rest of us in the UK in subsidies each year - 100 times as much as the entire Royal family.

OK, choose a president who you would prefer. Blair? Prescott? Jeffrey Archer? Do me a favour. The yanks always end up with a thick puppet of the money men. They're welcome - there's not a single yank who would not swap their corrupt bunch for our Royals.

[Dolly1308]

brionon talk sense ,if we had no Queen then who would be our figurehead ? Don't tell me that some despot would not try to rule the country, it's all around you open your flaming eyes .You really would get a Police State then because that is the way they operate and the only way they know how to rule .It would be farewell to the Westminster form of Government .As I said I hope you Republicans get what you deserve but don't try it in my lifetime !

[WendyS]

When it comes between choosing between The Queen and (President) Blair, I thank heavens for our Monarchy.

[brionon]

Dolly ,what nonsense you talk. The Monarchy did it's best to be rulers by divine right and failed so why should a Figure head,ie someone without power succeed where they failed ?

[brionon]

Clever argument Wendy, out of 60 million people in Britain the only one worse than the Queen---Blair. I see your ,seemingly, pro Royal argument is really a subtle anti Royalist stance.