Should the brit monarchy be abolished

I think in America were are very close to having a monarchy without knowing it. I mean that in the sense that DC and the state governments are more responsive to the elites than to the people who elected them.

 

Okay. I'm just opposed to pomp. It can be afforded only when everybody is fat and happy. Otherwise, it's bad form.

 

its a moneymaker as well as a morale booster.

 

*sigh* yeah i bet you thought that sounded like something cool to say right? Uh, i just hate it when people say stuff without knowing what it means. You dont know what monarchy means. It doesnt mean disconnect from the people nor does it necessarily mean that they unelected. It just means that its a king ruling. Ghe us isnt moving towards monarchy. At. All. Stop that

 

Monarchy and the hereditary principle is a fairly silly concept to keep going in the 21st century, but on the other hand I've never yet seen a proposal for an alternative that would actually be better in practical terms.

There are certainly distinct advantages to separation of the roles of 'Head of State' and 'Head of Government', particularly when the 'Head of State' that performs the ceremonial function is both apolitical and supported by a team of minor sub-heads (in the case of a monarchy, the rest of the royal family) who can perform a much greater role than a single person could (even if they aren't also trying to run the government at the same time). It means that there is an important symbolic figure to do all kinds of visits at home and abroad, opening things, and so on, at a much deeper level than someone like a president could ever hope to do, and that's a good thing. It also provides a sense of continuity for people as governments change. As long as the monarch doesn't have any actual power to wield (which the UK monarch doesn't in practise), and doesn't hold the country to ransom through personal land holdings (which the UK monarch doesn't - the 'crown' estates are held by the monarchy, not by the monarch, and run by an independent committee), then there isn't actually a political/democratic problem to be addressed.

What's left is a ceremonial figurehead for a whole country who can (either in person or through one of their close family members) entertain foreign dignitaries, go on non-political visits abroad to maintain friendly (and trade) links, and still has the time to come and visit your local school, or open your local supermarket, or whatever. Although theoretically silly, in practise modern monarchy is actually a pretty good system, and like I said I haven't yet seen an alternative proposal that would improve on how it works.

 

That might be true for some monarchs - but not ours, unless you can think of replacing our present monarch with anyone better. as a head of state. ????
Elected Presidents have over the years proved to be a bunch of ruthless politicians who're are prepared to make all sorts of promises to be elected - once in office , they make all sorts of excuses to back out of promises they cant keep.

btw _ look at this :
What is probably the most exclusive club in the world has a similarly exclusive price tag. The bill included $450,000 (£298,000) on Bill Clinton’s Harlem office and $85,000 on George W Bush’s telephone bill, said the report by the non-partisan Congressional Research Service.

The cost of funding the former presidents will raise eyebrows, given that the hefty speaking fees they can command after leaving office and the well endowed presidential centres and foundations that facilitate many of their post-presidential activities.

The figures don't include security provided by the Secret Service, costs which are on a separate, undisclosed budget.

======

"Graphic: the cost of ex-US presidents revealed
American taxpayers spent $3.7 million last year on four surviving presidents, and one presidential widow, according to a new report by the Congressional Research Service.




===

By comparison our Monarch ( her long service as head of state ) is an absolute bargain.

-----

 

I am Canadian and I feel that the monarchy is truly worth keeping!

All of us should pray more for them though because they certainly are capable of being guided at a higher level.

 

I think the Monarch is important for Britain to keep. Its been within the tapestry of their history...good and bad...but has sustained them and is apart of the identity.