J.K. Rowlings har donerat en miljon pund till Nej-sidans “Better Together” kampanj. Tyvärr har hennes insats fått viss kritik för att hon är av engelsk härkomst. De 21 år som hon har bott i Skottland liksom räknas inte av dessa “nationalister”. Här är en länk till nyheten:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27793967
På en annan blogg hittade jag en fin sammanfattning av Ja-sidans argument. Kommentaren lämnades av en David Grant och den är riktad till J.K. Rowlings. Jag återger den utan översättning. Längs ned hittar du själva länken till Grants inlägg. (Yestival = en fest ordnat av Yes-sidan)
Attending the Yestival or any other group events may give you more clarity. I think engaging in the debate is essential – it may not change your mind, but it will provide you with a clearer understanding of the reasons why people are for independence.
There are no clear “answers,” as many things will need to be negotiated. However, an indy Scotland can use any currency it wants to. Panama uses the US Dollar, for example, but it did not need permission to do so – it’s called “pegging,” that is, permanently linking the value of your currency to that of another country. Scotland could easily peg it’s new currency to the Pound Sterling. As for the “border,” all you have to do is look at the UK borders with the Republic of Ireland (or the “border” between N. Ireland and R. Ireland), the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey. There is a “common travel area” between them – Scotland would simply join that group.
It is not so much patriotism or nationalism, but a desire to have more control over governance – the original push by the SNP was to include “Devo Max” (further devolved powers for the Scottish Parliament) on the referendum ballot. The coalition government denied that option, making this a very limited “yes or no” vote. I think most Scots would be happy with Devo Max, but it’s off the table. Promises from the British politicians now are empty – if further devolved powers were in the offer, why were they withdrawn from the table during the referendum debates? It is an election year promise – they will never grant those powers in the event of a no vote. It’s a dirty trick, meant to sway the undecided and un (or mis-) informed to vote no.
As far as optimism? Well, that is the defining aspect of the Yes campaign – the idea that Scotland could become a better country on its own, without the gross inequality that sees austerity measures placed on the most vulnerable and large bonuses granted to bankers that continue to wreak havoc with our economy; laws made by unelected officials (Lords), who have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo, as many are landowners and have ties to banks and corporations who benefit from taxation policies. Thatcherism and austerity have had their time and they have not worked for the majority of the population. The wealthy have grown richer but the middle and working class have faltered, the poor have been demonised. Punitive measures on the most vulnerable, and free champagne in Parliament – wrist slaps or finger wags for the politicians found guilty of lying about expenses.
We can build a better country and the time is now. Since Scotland will not be granted the powers to raise and manage its own taxes through devolution, independence is the only option. It will be a difficult road, but one that many feel optimistic about setting upon.
Det tycker jag är ett mycket vackert stycke prosa oavsett språk.
http://nationalcollective.com/2014/06/11/an-open-letter-to-j-k-rowling/#comment-1430267631