Royal family. Should they be banned?

[randy1]

In south Africa they had a tradition of apartheid. That does not mean it was a good thing. Justifying oppression in the name of tradition does not make it right.

[carang]

randy, you are really something....

comparing the role of a constitutional monarchy to apartheid....

you have absolutely no clue, do you?

a constitutional monarchy is hardly "oppressive"....

i don't usually call names, but you really are a moron.

[Mat]

Yeah the Brits are oppressed indeed.

[randy1]

And what about the 100's of millions in tourist dollars/pounds/euros, that the British Monarchy brings, which like it or not Randell, is very much part of Britain's history and one of the few core foundational traditions that the English people have have left. An identity...

Take that away and what do you have ? Nothing much in my opinion. Had China retained it's Imperial Monarchy, had PuYi been allowed to steer China into the future via his curiosity/fascination of western technology and society, todays China might have been a vastly superior nation to the one we see now. Possibly far more advanced than the Japanese.

Food for thought....

What about the hundreds of millions taken from tax payers to pay for royals butlers, castles, banquets, security, international travel, estates etc. I find it unbelievable that people tolerate it and/or that they are so brainwashed into actually "celebrating" their oppression.

[SiuMaiTaiTai]

Some pros I can think of...

Tourism
Help contribute to the UK's identity
Their events can really boost morale and spending and generally are another thing on the calendar for bored people to look forward to (meant in a good way!)
tradition

I think you are over analyzing them, they are more like celebrities than anyone that is seen as truly powerful (from my perspective).
This is speaking as someone who isn't bothered about all that royal stuff btw, but as royal families go, they seem 'alrite'

A lot of people criticize them for costing tax payers...that I don't know the facts of, but I wonder how much the average Joes know either, other than the usual pub ranting about 'how the world ain't right' type crap.

All I know is, I'd rather everyone watch the Queen's speech every year than be glued to shite like Big Brother all summer, and overall there are FAR worse things to be ashamed of and negative about in the UK.

[randy1]

randy, you are really something....

comparing the role of a constitutional monarchy to apartheid....

you have absolutely no clue, do you?

a constitutional monarchy is hardly "oppressive"....

i don't usually call names, but you really are a moron.

I'm not going to call you names. The smarter people here on geoexpat understand why I pose these types of scenarios

Just because you call it a constitutional monarchy does not make it right. Just like calling apartheid "constitutional" doesn't make that right either.

Try to work it out...

[mlclau]

Randy, why do you care so much? Are you British? Do you pay the British Government taxes?

[carang]

constitutional monarchy. n. A monarchy in which the powers of the ruler are restricted to those granted under the constitution and laws of the nation.

the smarter people on geoexpat understand you're a nut job.

[randy1]

Some pros I can think of...

Tourism
Help contribute to the UK's identity
Their events can really boost morale and spending and generally are another thing on the calendar for bored people to look forward to (meant in a good way!)
tradition

I think you are over analyzing them, they are more like celebrities than anyone that is seen as truly powerful (from my perspective).
This is speaking as someone who isn't bothered about all that royal stuff btw, but as royal families go, they seem 'alrite'

A lot of people criticize them for costing tax payers...that I don't know the facts of, but I wonder how much the average Joes know either, other than the usual pub ranting about 'how the world ain't right' type crap.

All I know is, I'd rather everyone watch the Queen's speech every year than be glued to shite like Big Brother all summer, and overall there are FAR worse things to be ashamed of and negative about in the UK.

In terms of tourism, I support those who through their own efforts attract tourists. Musicians, entrepreneurs, playwrights. Etc All of whom pay taxes.

I am sure many people might have been curious to meet Kim
Jong The Dear Leader and gwak at his residence just like they do to the Dear Her Magesty Royal Highness Dutchess of Windsor bla bla. The fact that this might attract tourists does not justify the oppression of British commoners simply based on their birth parents.

[Skyhook]

What about the hundreds of millions taken from tax payers to pay for royals butlers, castles, banquets, security, international travel, estates etc. I find it unbelievable that people tolerate it and/or that they are so brainwashed into actually "celebrating" their oppression.

A reasonable explanation of how it works above, a little simplistic but good enough for this argument. The British government makes 200 Million pounds sterling pa, from the Royal family's land, they actually return a gross profit of 160 million. That's over and above tourist income. What's the problem, Randell ?