Wow, interesting reading. I don't understand enough about the difference independence would make in real terms to the Scottish people, but I have HUGE respect for the Scottish abilities, I have many friends up there, and all of them, without fail, are smart, quick, very realistic and very positive. The educational system used to be and still might be loads better than the English one, there is a higher
standard of education in general. If the Scottish want independence, I think they can do whatever they like and succeed, the grit is there.
BUT, why is no-one, as far as I can tell, wondering why it has come to this point? Personally I feel it has more to do with the point Dan made, politics made in London firmly favouring the South, I'm quite sure if the North of England had the choice of indepence they would have gone for it ages ago. When H and I were teaching up near Edinburgh a few years back there was a group of middle aged women having a coffee morning at the same
community centre, and as I went in the kitchen to set up tea etc for our lunch break I overheard them talk, these 15 or so women, and I was blown away with respect. They were handling these cakes and sandwhiches and all the while were talking about finance, about best investment options, interest rates, the pros and cons of buying property, I felt I had walked into some sort of financiers symposium.
I asked one of them who they were, and the reply was just a bunch of housewifes and retired women who meet up once a fortnight. There was no moaning, no blaming the government, just an attitude, this is where we are, what can we do to improve our lot. They made me proud to be a woman, and boy did I understand why our Scottish club teachers are so active up there, so organised, very hands on. Don't underestimate the Scots, me thinks, great folk.