Why on Earth do people love the royal family

Great come back!!

 

A well-trained royal head of state, can be an excellent tool to deploy in diplomatics or business. It also serves as unifying factor for the population, especially when the common man gets fed up with politicians, as the royal head of state has the job for life.

Personally I am not too fussed about having a royal house as nation. Although it would be nice if all royal costs can be looked into and analysed. I'm sure that the efficiency can be maintained, while the costs go down.

 

Many people, for various reasons see the Royal Family as a legitimate link to the past and cultural heritage and tradition.

To simply dismiss such strongly held traditions and beliefs is, IMO too progressive and actually rather arrogant and disrespectful.

History, tradition and cultural heritage matter, whether progressive types like it or not.

 

The vast cost to British taxpayers is 62 pence each per annum (2009 - 2010) Colonials and the hoi polloi get them free!

 

This may be true today, but centuries gone by, Britain sucked the goodness out of its colonies.

 

For all the Monarchists: The. Queens. Arse.

I like to think we'd all want to be a Republic now.

 

We do have our vice-regal Governor-General rabble in Ottawa, Canberra and Wellington, as well as Lieutennant Governors in the provincial capitals, (maybe state capitals in Australia too), who are taxed with the burden of assenting to legislation in HMTQ's absence. They aren't cheap and they are not a net positive to our treasuries.

 

You would probably have to pay for another (probably elected, though not nesessarily by the people) ceremonial head of state in their place would that really be any cheaper?

 

Could there be a more appropriate coat of arms for this man:




A neanderthal, clad in animal-skin loincloth and grassy crown, carrying a club, soon to be mounted by a gagging cat -- how apropos.

 

So then what was the point of our revolution? Why not just join up with the Commonwealth? Was Washington too progressive for your tastes?

 

You tell us!? You guys still use the imperial system so at the end of the day was it just a symbolic exercise in feel good.... at the cost of many lives? I'm assuming you think something positive came out of it other then having your own national identity. Australia already has a national identity so if thats the only thing you got out of it then I guess Australia going to a Republic really might be an expensive rebranding exercise with no real benefits.

 

Remember, Australia is the first country in history where the decision to become a republic and move away from the monachy was handed over to the people by way of a referendum.

Countries like America, France and Russia had long and bloody revolutions.

 

And yet it all went so very wrong...

Some Day

 

First of all, Silicon is an American. My question wasn't directed at an Australian.

Secondly, there was far more at play in the American Revolution than simply wanting a national identity. Brush up on your history.

 

I'm not a monarchist, but I admire the Queen. One day, hopefully in my lifetime (I'm 56) I'd like to see Australia become a republic. Australia is well and truly ready.

At the time of the referendum, a conservative government was in power. The models they wanted to put in place were either to complicated or too close to the American system of government. There was also concern we'd move away from the Westminister style of government.

Australians have a philosophy, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". Most Australians would have a problem calling the head of state "president" and still want the duly elected prime minister the head of government and the head of state more of a ceremonial role than a political role. Australians also prefer the head of state be elected and not chosen by the government.

 

Don't get me wrong, I like HRH, she has serves her country admirably. Monarchy is fine in other places just not here. I wouldn't be at all opposed to rejoining the commonwealth with her at the head.

I know it just seems so silly that the referendum failed over internal feuding on how the president would be elected. Ye were so, so close, and whatever the reason for the rejection a set back like that delayed that natural progression by decades.

Meh, we call the head of state "President", and the head of government "Taoiseach" ( it's just irish for prime minister) and there is sweet (*)(*)(*)(*) all that the president can do without reference to the government. Very close to the westminister system, can decide by herself to refuse to disolve the government and can refer bills to supreme court to check constitutionality. Thats it really.

I had known of objections to the method of selection of the president I hadn't realised that their was a push to give the president a more executive role. Although France seems today quite well with a semipresidential system.

Inertia is an incredibly powerful force...

 

Ryan,, when Australia becomes are republic, we'll still be part of the Commonwealth and still have ties with Britain. I'd personally dislike Australia severing ties with the Commonwealth.

In all honesty, there is very little animosity towards the royal family and particularly towards the Queen in Australia. She doesn't interfer with Australian politics (not since 1975 anyway) and allows Australia to run its own race. She is always gracious when she talks about Australia and very supportive when we have problems like natural disasters etc.

 

I love Obama and his family because Obama has this 'kill' list and I don't want to be on it.

 

People love what the Royal Family represents...our Constitutional Monarchy...the best system of govt in the world.

As the world collapses around us, nations falling one by one to non-Christian revolutionaries, the Christian Monarch and family are the one great hope for a happy and stable future we have left;

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0tgW_vJ05U"]Golden Jubilee - 2 Appearances By The Queen - YouTube[/ame]

Golden Jubilee - 2 Appearances By The Queen

 

I see no advantage to being a Republic. I do get a bit tired with Australian's using US material to try and seem locally progressive or creative. I first noticed it when Ford Australia started using USA Ford advertising catch phrases in the 90's as if they were Australian values.

The point about being Australian is trying to be smarter and more inclusive then everyone else, not trying to reinvent ourselves as copies of chosen bits of everyone else.

 

"The Peoples Republic of Australia" with "Chairman Gillard" as the absolute ruler?

NO THANK YOU!

 

Ideally, the Australian President would be non-partisan.

We wouldn't follow the American model.

 

So, Who would you prefer - Warnie???

 

I hope we never follow the American model..

 

Fear of following the American model is what killed the last referendum on this