Scotland Leaving the UK: America's Opinion

[Ro_Laren]

I haven't been following the issue (and was only semi-aware of it before reading an article about it today), but Scotland will apparently be voting this year on whether or not they want to leave the U.K. and become its own fully independent country again. As I understand it, not everyone in Scotland is for the idea of becoming an independent nation. My question is this, what do you think the American government thinks about this? The U.K. is our closest ally and while they would still be a powerful nation without Scotland, if Scotland is no longer officially a part of the U.K., this will hurt the U.K. for various reasons (financially, etc.). So, do TPTB in America dislike the idea of our closest ally weakening or would they like it as in the days when America cheered at the weakening of the British Empire? I would imagine that in today's world, we wouldn't want out closest ally to get weaker, but what do I know. I don't mean for this thread to offend any of my British or Scottish friends out there. In fact, I love both England and Scotland and wish them the best!! I am just merry curious about what TPTB in America would really think about this issue.

 

[C.E. Evans]

Some of the TPTB probably didn't even know Scotland was a member of the UK.

 

[OdoWanKenobi]

Ok, I'm going to show my stupid American ignorance. I haven't really ever looked in to this particular issue. What exactly is Scotland's beef?

 

[Nerys Myk]

Ok, I'm going to show my stupid American ignorance. I haven't really ever looked in to this particular issue. What exactly is Scotland's beef?

Angus.

 

[OdoWanKenobi]

I walked right in to that one, didn't I?

 

[sojourner]

I'm fine with Scotland leaving the U.K. . When will they be applying for statehood?

 

[Herkimer Jitty]

Good point, Sojourner.

America is the only country in the world with The Freedoms, after all.

 

[sojourner]

Is The Freedoms a rock band? I've lost touch with music culture over the years.

 

[Herkimer Jitty]

Yeah, they're kind of a metal-ish post-punk proto-prog regressive new wave alt rock band.

 

[Green Shirt]

So they want to leave the UK? Have they found suitable land to move to?


Sounds like the situation we have within some of the US states (like the western counties of Maryland). If they want to split, let 'em go it on their own.

 

[Pingfah]

I doubt the American government cares, this will have very little effect on them.

I also doubt Scotland will be leaving the UK.

 

[DimesDan]

I doubt the American government cares, this will have very little effect on them.

I also doubt Scotland will be leaving the UK.

Exactly on both points.

Although if it does happen, I would be scared for our remaining in Europe, but we plan on moving to Ireland if that happens anyway as I'll be married to an Irish national by then.

And I feel that if the roles were reversed, say how would the British or Europeans or wider world would feel if Texas left the union, I would say it's not our place and a case of internal matters.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Definitely an internal matter. I certainly wish Scotland the best and I hope they make the best decision for their future, but it doesn't matter to me either way. If they wish to separate, they should do so.

If a US State voted to secede, I would certainly support its Right to do so, but I don't think it's the same type of situation. The States are really subdivisions of one country, where it has always seemed to me that the UK is more of a collection of separate countries to begin with. That's my impression, anyway.

 

[MacLeod]

The best decision would to remain in the union.

 

[Haggis and tatties]

The right desicion will be what scottish voters decide, and the sooner it's answered the better, just so i no longer have to see politicians on both sides feinging intrest in what voters want or what's best for Scottland, so let's get it over with so they can all go back to fiddling thier parliamentary expenses, you know, something they are intrested in. lol

 

[scotpens]

Some of the TPTB probably didn't even know Scotland was a member of the UK.

Hell, a majority of Americans probably couldn't find Scotland on a globe.

 

[Herkimer Jitty]

Which one's Scotland? Is it the one next to France?

 

[Nerys Myk]

This should help:

 

[Brolan]

I fully support Scotland's attempts to throw off the yoke of English oppression! As any real American would. Victory or Death!!

 

[Johnny]

1. It's interesting that Scotland actually costs the UK an estimated 17bn a year. So from a financial point of view that's like buying a failing company.
2. If they become an independent state they have to start from scratch with membership to things like Europe, and Europe stated it wasn't guaranteed.
3. The currency also has to change because the Bank of England can't have an element of risk on things like interest rates from a state that it has no control over.

Personally, if people want to fight for the betterment of society, they should do it all from one place. Otherwise everyone just bickers for god knows how long.
Dissolve local government! That's the way forward!

Sorry I'm British!