THE worry thousands of folk have about voting for independence is still the mantra, “we’re too poor, too wee, and too stupid”, with the “too poor” aspect the biggest hurdle. It’s the older generation who worry about their pensions and having to live out the rest of their lives in poverty as they see it. We need to reassure these folk, and many others, that this would not be the case in an independent Scotland.
The televised debates we see are not the way to do it. They always descend into a shouting match with nobody ever changing their mind on any subject they’re debating. What is the point of these debates? Has anyone ever seen or heard any politician changing their minds during a debate? Or being persuaded by the force of their opponent’s argument? No, me neither!
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These TV debates are set up by the TV companies to entertain us not to inform us.
The more shouting and talking over each other the candidates do, the more the producers love it. But it tells us nothing, politically, that we don’t already know. I’m convinced it’s the “we’re too poor” lies that is holding back tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of folk who would really want to believe we can be an independent and successful country.
So why don’t we take the independence issues away from the politicians? Politics will start when we are independent. Time enough then to argue with each other over left, right, and all positions in between.
In the meantime why can’t we have a non-political programme on whether or not Scotland is rich enough to be independent? Why can’t we have a PowerPoint presentation by someone like Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp? His book, Scotland the Brief, is ideal for it. It is well illustrated for such a programme and the graphics are easily understood. Every financial fact is referenced and can be checked out by the doubters and unbelievers. This, I’m sure, would give folk the courage to vote Yes.
Film it live before a theatre/town hall/community centre audience, then questions could be asked and answered after the presentation.
The BBC would not agree to such a programme of course but Channel 4 maybe? If no mainstream channel would screen it then upload it to Facebook, or some such social media platform, and we could surely share it far and wide and make it go viral!
Iain McClafferty
Livingston
I STILL hear the three pillars of cringe – too poor, too wee, too stupid. Those who take that view have genuine concerns, otherwise why would they have them? I believe it stems from a xenophobia that ignores evidence from beyond our shores that says small is beautiful.
When I start talking about San Marino – population 33,860, Liechtenstein – 38,020, Monaco – 38,960, Andorra – 77,140, Iceland – 361,310, Malta – 502,650, Luxembourg – 619,900, Montenegro – 622,140, Estonia – 1,326,590, all populations less than Glasgow, their eyes glaze over. I can see them frantically grappling with what they last read in the Daily Mail or saw on the BBC News to shore up their prejudices, and it bothers me.
These are not stupid people and yet they’re frightened. Their fears are stoked by Unionist media to the point where they can no longer take a rational view on the constitution. I suppose it’s far easier to be told what to think than actually think for yourself – subject closed, end of.
The farmers and fishermen are learning fast, let’s hope it’s not too late for the rest of the doubters to change their minds.
Mike Herd
Highland
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