We don't often have polls, but this is an interesting place to try one! Scotland is potentially the eighth wealthiest country in the world per person, it used to be independent for many centuries but became joined with the UK 300 years ago. We are voting on whether to become independent of the United Kingdom (16th wealthiest) in September. So, straw poll of members please:

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There is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable.
There is another theory which states that this has already happened.

Are you most interested in hearing what those in the UK have to say, or everyone?

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Maresa,
Mom to Alisa (10-29-2008) DS, complete AV canal repair on 3-6-2009

I have no idea what to vote for...yes or no?....Have to think about it!

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Linda & John
mom to Hannah Kate (Age 16 ), Robert (Aged 10 - DS)


First Communion Day

Anyone's vote will do fine , curious to get some International feedback!

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There is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable.
There is another theory which states that this has already happened.

As a Irish person who has independence ingrained in our DNA, I have voted yes!

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Linda & John
mom to Hannah Kate (Age 16 ), Robert (Aged 10 - DS)


First Communion Day

I haven't decided yet.
I am English and my husband is from Glasgow in Scotland.
The two countries have a lot of rich, shared history but I am very much an outsider when we visit Scotland. My husband doesn't find that is the case living in England - but we live close to the border which suits us both.
I remain to be convinced how independence would work out in practical terms for ordinary people - no one in the political arena seems to know and it is hard to tell at the moment what is spin and what is fact.
So I'm staying open minded for now.

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Rachel
Mum to Thomas 05, Luke 07, Jacob DS 09. Married to Stephen.

Hi I am Scottish and will be voting in September but I'm still undecided and torn between a yes or a no, its a hard one, I'm currently reading through the very very long white paper to help me one day I'm a yes and another a no so I will need another while to decide and knowing me it will be on polling day that I decide on gut feeling.

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Claire & Chris, Mum and Dad to Bethany 05/03/1998 Calum 03/09/2004 Rebekah DS 13/01/2011

Beckysmum

Its interesting to get a view from someone who will be impacted by the vote!
It felt a bit strange even been asked my opinion on this....

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Linda & John
mom to Hannah Kate (Age 16 ), Robert (Aged 10 - DS)


First Communion Day

The question is, why does Scotland want to be independent? What is it about England they don't like? Is it just for the sake of being independent or is there really something about the two that makes them incompatible?

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Tom

Dad to Beth ( 22 ) and Mikey (17 - Ds and PDD-NOS)
My Blog - Random Thinking
Find me on Facebook
Find me on Twitter as tgpaul

It isn't really a negative reaction to England or the English as such, just a growing feeling that we can manage our own affairs better in Scotland than have crucial economic decisions taken in Westminster, 500 miles away. We have had our own devolved Parliament for some 20 years, but in reality it has very limited powers: the UK is one of the most centralised states in the world.

Just three other examples:

The UK's entire store of submarine launched nuclear weapons are parked a few miles from our largest city, Glasgow. Yet surveys have shown that most Scots do not want Scotland to be a nuclear power. Or a target!

Scotland contributes significantly more in tax to the UK than the rest, and also has lower per capita debt - we could be one of the wealthiest countries in the world, but are held back by having to contribute to pork-barrel infrastructure projects that don't benefit us, such as the £4 billion we are contributing to improved high speed rail links in SE England that don't benefit our own economy.

Scotland has a vital fishing industry, but this is often seen as a minor pawn for sacrifice in discussions held between the UK and European agencies, rather than a key national asset.

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There is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable.
There is another theory which states that this has already happened.

Thanks Excalibur for explaining some parts of the 'yes to independence' stance so well. Better than I have heard from most politicians (altho I would question a few points - are we really one of the most centralised states in the world? I'm sure we might be if the Tories win power again but can you add a link to some evidence?)

I would really like someone to explain the reasons for a 'no to independence' vote in similar terms.

That would help me to decide my point of view (not that I have a vote).

Ordinary citizens saying what they think on both sides of the debate in a clear and frank manner is helpful. Its mostly politicians who get the tv/radio time.

I still want to know, aside from what government spokesmen/women say, how life will improve for regular people given a 'yes' or 'no' vote for independence - on both sides of the border.

Many English people might agree with Excalibur re nuclear weapons. I grew up near a UK American base and there were always protest groups there.
I'm a Quaker and therefore pacifist but this means working towards peace in real, gritty terms as well as facilitating political peace talks when possible - advocating peace is no 'cop out'. Its a work of art.

I can see that this may be an interesting issue in Scotland and the UK, but maybe not so much in other places - its a global world and our members live all over it, often facing all sorts of horrors. My thoughts are with our friends living in war zones.

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Rachel
Mum to Thomas 05, Luke 07, Jacob DS 09. Married to Stephen.

Rachel I like how you said peace is a work of art. I never looked at it that way. It really is true when you think about it!

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Kellie, mom to Sean 13 yrs with DS and Carly 16 yrs

Tom its nothing to do with hating England infact Great Britain is Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales not just Scotland & England.
Excalibur explained it perfectly for me but still I love being part of all our beautiful joint countries, so hard to make my mind up but I better decide quickly its not long till the vote


Rachel it is a very interesting subject in Scotland as all our future generations are effected by the decision our country makes soon & in turn has a knock on effect to the rest of the UK, it is a historic event if the yes vote is casted, naturally war and the atrocities happening world wide are at the forefront of my mind but so is the future of my children and their children.

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Claire & Chris, Mum and Dad to Bethany 05/03/1998 Calum 03/09/2004 Rebekah DS 13/01/2011

Hi Claire,
Yes - it will be a historic and pivotal vote for everyone living in the UK and for all our children too.
I'm interested to see how the referendum goes.
I didn't mean to belittle UK issues.
Love to you and Becky

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Rachel
Mum to Thomas 05, Luke 07, Jacob DS 09. Married to Stephen.

Two days to go Excalibur!
Things have taken a turn haven't they - the polls are indicating such a close result that Westminster seem panicked and are finally engaging - after postal votes have been submitted!
I think a lot of people in the rest of the UK feel they should have a vote too as the outcome will affect us all.
My husband is Scottish but doesn't have a vote because we live in England.
The process seems a bit botched - whatever the outcome, I hope it leads to a review of our constitution so that everyone can benefit.

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Rachel
Mum to Thomas 05, Luke 07, Jacob DS 09. Married to Stephen.

Yes, the vote was close but for now, the UK stays together, albeit on a thread: let's hope that positive change will come: not just to Scotland but to the other nations and regions too.

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There is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable.
There is another theory which states that this has already happened.

Interesting times here in the UK, with the most unpredictable General Election ever in May... I'm watching whatever happens in Greece...
Excalibur - do you think Jay will go with the Greens again? I have just joined the party, for similar reasons...

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Rachel
Mum to Thomas 05, Luke 07, Jacob DS 09. Married to Stephen.