[Sticks]

This is no reflection on the current incumbent who has done an excellent job with what the hand of fate has dealt her.

Separating the person from the position, how can we justify having a head of state selected due to accident of birth, especially as we have encouraged democracy in new countries?

I realise people look at the American presidency with horror, but there are other models for an elected head of state, like the Irish Republic of all places

So in the 21st Century has the monarchy had it's day

[Jack_]

Yes, but it should only be abolished once we've fixed social mobility, are rid of capitalism and all have equal opportunities.

It should be the final stage of it all IMO. No point getting rid of it beforehand as it'll only cause more financial problems.

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Jack_

Yes, but it should only be abolished once we've fixed social mobility, are rid of capitalism and all have equal opportunities.

It should be the final stage of it all IMO. No point getting rid of it beforehand as it'll only cause more financial problems.

yup...Thought given the current climate she might be willing to have her entourage live a little more frugally with the public purse....but no...instead we chuck her a huge party!
Well we can always close a couple of youth centres, cut frontline police officers again, close a hospital ward ...maybe a meals on wheels service to offset the cost?

[Tom4784]

I don't think it matters either way, the Royals are just figureheads with no real power. I say live and let live since they do do a lot for tourism.

[Mrluvaluva]

The 10.5 million pounds used for today comes from privately donated money, rather than public funds. Of course though the bills for policing the event etc are paid for by the tax payer.

[joeysteele]

No, I would want and vote to keep the Monarchy over a Presidential system anyday. I don't see my mind changing on that to be honest.

[arista]

Originally Posted by Jack_

Yes, but it should only be abolished once we've fixed social mobility, are rid of capitalism and all have equal opportunities.

It should be the final stage of it all IMO. No point getting rid of it beforehand as it'll only cause more financial problems.

Jack
Thats Every Day Life
buying your Bread.

Capitalism will be here after you have gone.

[Livia]

Seeing the number of people who have turned out in the rain the see the Royal Flotilla, and all the thousands of events going on up and down the country, I would say the Monarchy is still very much a part of our country's identity and heritage.

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Mrluvaluva

The 10.5 million pounds used for today comes from privately donated money, rather than public funds. Of course though the bills for policing the event etc are paid for by the tax payer.

Does it?
http://www.royal.gov.uk/pdf/civil%20...iew%202009.pdf

[Mrluvaluva]

Originally Posted by kizzy

Does it?
http://www.royal.gov.uk/pdf/civil%20...iew%202009.pdf

If you think I am going to read all that you will be sorely disappointed. Please just state your point.

[Jack_]

Originally Posted by arista

Jack
Thats Every Day Life
buying your Bread.

Capitalism will be here after you have gone.

But I'd rather not live in a world of exploitation, consumerism and greed, which is what capitalism breeds.

It's a system which seeks only to reinforce and reproduce social inequalities. That cannot be justified, people should work for the benefit of the community and society, not profit. Obsessing with capital is a dangerous and detrimental concept.

[Livia]

I've just seen on the news, hundreds of thousands of flag-waving people ignoring the rain and joining in the celebrations along the Thames... and less than a hundred joyless, dour-faced anti-monarchists with placards outside County Hall, whining. There's your answer, I think.

[Patrick]

Yes. Load of sh*t.

[Patrick]

Originally Posted by Livia

I've just seen on the news, hundreds of thousands of flag-waving people ignoring the rain and joining in the celebrations along the Thames... and less than a hundred joyless, dour-faced anti-monarchists with placards outside County Hall, whining. There's your answer, I think.

Who cares? That's just people looking for an excuse to celebrate something.

All you ever hear is how much the royal family piss people off, because they are irrelevant and mean nothing anymore. I think people can find many other ways to celebrate and show their culture and stuff like that, than trying to celebrate something silly like a Royal Wedding or a 60th Anniversary of some silly hag - when any other day of the year, no one pays any attention to them.

[arista]

Originally Posted by Jack_

But I'd rather not live in a world of exploitation, consumerism and greed, which is what capitalism breeds.

It's a system which seeks only to reinforce and reproduce social inequalities. That cannot be justified, people should work for the benefit of the community and society, not profit. Obsessing with capital is a dangerous and detrimental concept.

But no place in this World has true communism.


Jack
Santana's New CD Shape Shifter (20 years of outtakes)
is non profit
all goes to his charity



So not Everyone is into Evil Greed.



This is a Movie you need to watch, Jack.

[Niall]

I think so. We need to move toward a society where a group of people are considered Royal because of their lineage, and are awarded certain powers (if only used on ceremonial occasions) for that, and towards one where the leaders of our country are elected by the people. I know the Royal family is a deeply entrenched part of Britain, but its time for change.

This country is so deeply embedded with a class system that needs to be destroyed. It seems now more than ever that the rich get richer, whilst the poor get poorer, and the Royal family do remind me a lot of that wealthy elite that runs this country.

[Mrluvaluva]

Originally Posted by Patrick

All you ever hear is how much the royal family piss people off, because they are irrelevant and mean nothing anymore.

Do you? I generally hear quite the opposite.

I would say that a large part of the UK, and elsewhere, have been united in celebrating such an event like today. That's surely not a bad thing.

And you all got an extra days bank holiday...

[Sticks]

My understanding is the queen is quite frugal, all the pomp comes from the system itself.

Again we need to separate person from position.

Lizzy never asked to be monarch, it was thrust upon her by fate and she had made the best she could of it.

As for the tourism I would like to know what percentage of Americans visit the UK compared to visiting the other European countries to see if the monarchy is such a magnet for overseas tourism.

[Mrluvaluva]

Originally Posted by Sticks

My understanding is the queen is quite frugal, all the pomp comes from the system itself.

Again we need to separate person from position.

Lizzy never asked to be monarch, it was thrust upon her by fate and she had made the best she could of it.

As for the tourism I would like to know what percentage of Americans visit the UK compared to visiting the other European countries to see if the monarchy is such a magnet for overseas tourism.

You can get some facts and figures here:

http://www.visitbritain.org/

[Kizzy]

If you think i'm reading all that you can kiss it....

[GypsyGoth]

It should be a lottery each year who gets to be the royal family. So that each year it changes and eventually everyone will get a chance.

[Mrluvaluva]

Everyone will get a chance to have a go at the royal lottery, or everyone will get a chance to be in the royal family? If the latter, there would have to be some pretty large, extended family set ups. Just like the royal family really...

[GypsyGoth]

Originally Posted by Mrluvaluva

Everyone will get a chance to have a go at the royal lottery, or everyone will get a chance to be in the royal family? If the latter, there would have to be some pretty large, extended family set ups. Just like the royal family really...

Yea the details would have to be sorted out.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Patrick

Who cares? That's just people looking for an excuse to celebrate something.

All you ever hear is how much the royal family piss people off, because they are irrelevant and mean nothing anymore. I think people can find many other ways to celebrate and show their culture and stuff like that, than trying to celebrate something silly like a Royal Wedding or a 60th Anniversary of some silly hag - when any other day of the year, no one pays any attention to them.

No, I don't always hear how much the royal family piss people off... only on here really where people post links to stuff they don't understand, and in the gutter press, and from a few anti-royalists they wheel out for debate shows, the same old faces over and over with the same ill-informed whines.

And really... your tone and language as usual are illustrative of the fact that you know so little about it and speak from your own freakishly limited perspective, that it's not worth a debate with you

[Sticks]

Which is why I suggested we separate the person(s) from the position.