Does the monarchy make Britain look silly. - Page 2

MikeH · March 7, 2003, 11:30

Or just CGI her.

MRT144 · March 7, 2003, 11:33

well trade you our lackluster electronic music for the monarchy.

Starchild · March 7, 2003, 11:39

Now now, we all know the monarchy can re-invent itself. Who knows, maybe King Will will marry a nice Indian girl (or guy!) and start refering to himself as Maharaja William.

It's not like we have a great republican-esque rallying cry anyway. What do we have that ranks with "Liberty and Justice for all!" or "Liberte, Egalite, Fratenite!"? I mean, can people honestly get excited about a republic who's motto is "Shame about the weather."?

FrustratedPoet · March 7, 2003, 11:41

TheStinger · March 7, 2003, 11:42

Star child I think you have summed up exactly why there has never been a popular revolution in this country

Ozz · March 7, 2003, 11:42

Liz is not totally powerless, didn't she give the Austrailian PM his pink slip for breaking Austrailian
constitutional law about 20 years ago?

TheStinger · March 7, 2003, 11:44

Quote:

Originally posted by Ozz
Liz is not totally powerless, didn't she give the Austrailian PM his pink slip for breaking Austrailian
constitutional law about 20 years ago?

Nah the governor general did it. He acts in the Queens name, but doesn't take orders form her.

Starchild · March 7, 2003, 11:49

Quote:

Originally posted by TheStinger
Star child I think you have summed up exactly why there has never been a popular revolution in this country

I hold that the UK is the only country on the planet that could make Soviet style communism work. We enjoy waiting in queues, are taught to rarely complain, and are used to a press that has no connection with reality anway.

MikeH · March 7, 2003, 12:15

And it doesn't matter if everything is painted utalitarian grey because it all looks grey with the clouds anyway.

Japher · March 7, 2003, 12:29

I don't think the monarchy makes the UK look silly, but the that's just me. Ppl seem to really like them, and that's nice. Does movie Stars or American icons make the US look silly?

Ozz · March 7, 2003, 12:30

Quote:

Originally posted by TheStinger

Nah the governor general did it. He acts in the Queens name, but doesn't take orders form her.

Well if he was off on a sick day Liz would have. It was
an action by the "Crown"

Barley · March 7, 2003, 14:20

Well I suppose in some ways the monarchy can make Britain look stupid, thats in the sense that its got so many parellels with "The Empire". On the other hand though I think they do a great deal of good.

Im not a monarchist but would hate to see them go. The attention and continuity they brink to Britain is good. Ive noted that earlier responses have reflected the weekly visits from Prime Ministers, well I feel a lot of good comes out of that, whilst it might seem like a cosy chat to pay homage to a monarch EII has been there 50 years and witnessed the politics of many Prime Ministers.

Lets look at elected representatives as a comparison to the heredetory. A lot of them are in it for the wrong reasons, power, self interest, they adopt policies that are short termist and for votes, not necessarily for the good of the people. While im not saying EII has any great interest and perhaps there is self interest. A monarch looks at the long game.

Back to making us look stupid. Well how stupid did we look when 1 billiion people watched the Silver jubilee on TV? Why were they watching. Hey it was an excuse for a good party and we threw one. How many will watch When Prince William marries? I'll bet it will top 3 billion.........

There is something in a lot of us that needs a figure head, a leader, and whilst it doesnt serve everyone, weve all "own" a bit of it.

Long live the Queen.

Barley · March 7, 2003, 14:22

Err thats Golden Jubilee.

Long Live the Queen..............

lord of the mark · March 7, 2003, 15:15

here in the states the supermarket tabloids ( a somewhat differrnt breed from tabloid dailies, which tend to be not quite as bad as Brit tabloid dailies, with the exception of the NY Post) just love the monarchy, and the kind of people who read them seem fascicated with it. I dont think much of it, but that marks me off as elitist i guess. They fit the classic definition of celebs - theyre famous for being famous.

I think UK would be better off with a more scandinavian style monarchy - less wealth, fewer castles, etc. Keep their constitutional role and reduce their profile - although that would cost in tourism, and i dont know if ordinary brits could deal with it.

and while youre at it, maybe a change in personnel?? the argument could be made that the problem is just this particular family, which has been doing embarrassing things for about 100 years now.

Ozz · March 7, 2003, 15:23

Quote:

Originally posted by lord of the mark
kind of people who read them seem fascicated

the argument could be made that the problem is just this particular family, which has been doing embarrassing things for about 100 years now.

Doing embarrassing things makes for GOOD stories.
You get a sane family, well .....BORING!!

cinch · March 7, 2003, 17:20

Quote:

On a realted point why NZ, Australia and Canada wnat to keep Liz as the haed of state is beyond me.

No kidding! It seems very, very silly to me. I'd jump at the chance to make us a Republic (although I'd prefer if you guys just offed the royals; I've no problem with the commonwealth), if only to get rid of those annoying Lieutenant Governors, and their leader, Adrienne.

Comrade Tribune · March 7, 2003, 17:35

Oddly enough, it´s the democratic part of its institutions (hint, Prime Minister, hint) that makes Britain currently look a bit under the water.

Ned · March 7, 2003, 17:40

No. It doesn't make the UK look silly. However, it does prevent the UK from adopting a Federal Repulican form of government, with a constitution. With no monarchy or nobility, a reunion with America becomes possible.

Ned · March 7, 2003, 17:42

Azazel, you hit the nail on the head. The reason for a parliamentary form of goverment is the monarchy. To the extent that governments do not have a monarchy, they should always adopt a Republican form of government, IMHO.

GePap · March 7, 2003, 19:32

You guys forgot to add Japan.. and they have an Emperor, not some worthless king!

From what I have seen, the Spaniards care more about their Monarchy than the Brits, and yet no one here talks about Juan Carlos, and he does a lot more than elizabeth does.

What was really silly was the aussie decision to keep their status:

Also, you don't need a monarch to have a parlimentary system: I a surprised Azazel, but does not the Republic of Israel have a PM and a parliment? So do the french. All you need is some titular Head of state, a President that does ceremonies but does not actually rule.

Odin · March 7, 2003, 19:40

You Brits need a monarch that is British, the current dynasy is GERMAN.

I think the only problem with the British royal family is that it is so stuck-up, except for the younger family members; in most modern constitutional monarchies the monarch is a lot more accessable to the common person.

BTW, the House of Lords has got to go, it's a relic that lost most of it's power to the House of Commons in the 1800's from what I've read in my world history textbook.

Ben Kenobi · March 7, 2003, 19:53

Georges 1 and 2 could be considered German, but the rest are predominantly British. I think this current dynasty is more greek than german, since Mountbatten comes from Greece.

Canada should keep the monarchy. Who wants to see Chretien as head of state/prime minister? He would actually have to visit with foreign dignitaries.

Brits: Look at the itenerary of the Queen. I think she brings in more money than she spends. Could you ask for a better ambassador?

St Leo · March 7, 2003, 19:54

Quote:

Originally posted by cinch
if only to get rid of those annoying Lieutenant Governors, and their leader, Adrienne.

What's wrong with Adrienne Clarkson? Would you rather have Jean Chretien do her job in addition to his own?

I like the monarchy. I definitely prefer Elizabeth II on my coinage over John A. MacDonald or whoever else would get to replace her.

cinch · March 7, 2003, 20:12

Quote:

What's wrong with Adrienne Clarkson? Would you rather have Jean Chretien do her job in addition to his own?

Oh, I'm sure she's a fine person. I just don't like the idea of a Governor General in general (ha!). But yes, I would rather have an elected leader be my head of state than an appointed official. This does not mean I'm a fan of Chretien, but the fact that he was elected is not reason enough to keep the depressing relic of monarchy alive, in my mind.

Now, Lois Hole, there's an appointed official I could do without.

Quote:

I like the monarchy. I definitely prefer Elizabeth II on my coinage over John A. MacDonald or whoever else would get to replace her.

Why? He looks perfectly fine on the ten.

Bugs ****ing Bunny · March 8, 2003, 03:55

Quote:

Originally posted by Barley

Lets look at elected representatives as a comparison to the heredetory. A lot of them are in it for the wrong reasons, power, self interest, they adopt policies that are short termist and for votes, not necessarily for the good of the people. While im not saying EII has any great interest and perhaps there is self interest. A monarch looks at the long game.

It's easy to look like you aren't motivated by self-interest when you're as massively wealthy as Frau Windsor.

Alexander's Horse · March 8, 2003, 04:24

Have you heard of monarchy envy? Its been suggested both the US and France wish they had a monarchy. That's why they give so much attention to the Monaco's and the Kennedy's and now I fear the Bush family dynasty.

Shi Huangdi · March 8, 2003, 04:28

"You Brits need a monarch that is British, the current dynasy is GERMAN. "

I agree. I propose Tony Blair be made king, and he can serve as his own PM. He should also have all the King's old powers restored to him.

Dis · March 8, 2003, 04:39

I'm sure this has been said, but just in case.

Britain doesn't need the monarchy to look silly. They would look silly even without it.

Asher · March 8, 2003, 04:42

The Queen should be tossed on her ass and told to get a job.

curtsibling · March 8, 2003, 07:47

I am a proud Brit.
I don't think the Monarchy really serves a purpose in the UK anymore, depsite their attempts to move with the times.

I am a citizen not a subject.