taking charge of an income stream and pushing forward with renewable energy? Scotland already does this, particularly in key areas such as health and education. The renewable energy sector is booming, particularly in the east of the country. Why is that going to change? Is everyone in the UK suddenly going to stop paying income tax and NI? No one needs energy south of the border anymore?
Fiscal freedom this can and will be achieved through a more devolved structure which the whole of the UK is moving towards anyway.
Taking responsibility for our own future and existence? Why isolate yourself from the whole of the EU and you nearest trading partner? And, ditto above. More devolution powers are on the way, not less. What is more effective, being part of a country of 5 million or part of a country of 60 million + and all the resources that brings?
I don't know how we've come to the point where anything positive about an independent Scotland is a pipe dream, and anything to do with remaining in the union is grounded in fact (nothing is certain). Um. Well. Some things are certain actually. Tell me what is going to change so dramatically when you wake up on Friday morning and find you are still part of the UK. Or for the years after that.
Of course nothing is certain, that is life. Governments come and go and policies change. Recessions hit and then disappear. But I'm not prepared to embrace the kind of uncertainty such a dramatic change would bring. Particularly where it is unnecessary and brings negligible change.
"pie in the sky" I was prepared to listen, understand what it is that makes a Yes vote so vital for the future of Scotland. I want to build our lives here, invest my energy into making my community a better place. I have repeatedly asked for details. I want to know what will happen. I've been told nothing apart from rhetoric and propaganda. Nothing factual. When we are told, well we don't know yet, can you blame people for being so dismissive?
Your language (Scotland should go. The neighbours won't roll over... no matter how they scream and shout) shows your bias and bigotry. You want Scotland to play fair, but have no intention of supporting fair play yourself. You are the reason we are here, and people like you, shouting "FINE THEN GO!" are an embarrassment to those who are genuinely committed to keeping the union together.
Rubbish. What is there to not understand about the fact that, if Scotland chooses to have independence, then it is on its own? The independence argument has been going since before I was born. It's bloody boring and tediously petulant. I am fed up of hearing how done by people feel they are. There's just as much poverty, if not more, in areas of Wales and England. Scotland is not alone in dealing with these issues yet has more power already than other parts of the country to tackle them. Refer to my earlier comment about Yes voter driving a BMW disparaging those politicians and 'what have they done for us'.
Many millions of people are really rather fed up of hearing the complaints both in Scotland and out of it over the generations and it is time, one way or another to bring it to an end and move on.
Explain to me why all those south of the border should give a damn and support Scotland with its independence? The Yes 'movement' will find it is owed nothing by the rUK. The language used by the SNP has been beyond childish, as is the general 'you can't tell us what to do Westminster' tone that's all I have observed thus far.
I cannot believe that people would blithely vote for independence with no concept of what that really entails, plunging millions of people into financial and social turmoil for years. For what? A principle?
The Yes campaign is possibly the most inward-looking and naive I have ever had the misfortune to come across. The comedown is going to be immense should madness prevail and Yes carries the day.