3 ms·

The older I get the more I appreciate the value of a shared mythology. In some cases that is religion. Or a creed, as it was for a long time in America. But

The older I get the more I appreciate the value of a shared mythology. In some cases that is religion. Or a creed, as it was for a long time in America. But I think it is very valuable to have it for a healthy functioning society. It feels like we have lost it in America, which does not make me optimistic for the future. I wonder if the monarchy serves that role for the UK. Might be better to keep it.

KaiserPro 1y ago
I was a fairly ardent anti-monarchist. The problem is, I had put my faith in politicians to unite the UK. The problem is, there isn't much mileage in uniting the UK at the moment, or competence in government. The only real way that the monarchy can survive is if the kingdom stays united. Also, president boris, stamer or farage is just a humiliation I can't really cope with.
- rootusrootus 1y ago
  > Also, president boris, stamer or farage is just a humiliation I can't really cope with. I definitely appreciate the idea that if you lose confidence in the PM you can fire them pretty quickly. Being stuck with a crappy president for four long years kinda sucks.
- exasperaited 1y ago
  > Also, president boris, stamer or farage is just a humiliation I can't really cope with. I always tell people I don't actually want to risk an elected presidency until Jeremy Clarkson is too old to run for it.
  - tim333 1y ago
    I think prez Jezza would be quite entertaining.
    - Lio 1y ago
      That's entirely the problem.
- jopsen 1y ago
  > Also, president boris, stamer or farage is just a humiliation I can't really cope with. The British royal family does get some bad press from time to time, but the recent string of British PMs really does serve to remind us all that the bar is really low :)
thrance 1y ago
The monarchy is demonstrably powerless and unwilling to fight the destruction of UK democracy. Right-wing populism has infiltrated all sides of the political landscape there, and with it all the self-destructing ideas we have come to love: defunding of all public services, increase in policing and control, destruction of worker protections, tax cuts for the rich, tax increase for the poor, etc. I live in France, our common mythology, our Roman National as it is called here, is that we beheaded our king. Yet, the most authoritarian people you know will still claim the legacy of our revolution, of De Gaulle and Jeanne d'Arc. Even worse, this mythology is poised as under threat by a made-up out-group and used to seed reactionary fear and divisiveness amidst our nation.
- tim333 1y ago
  I'm not sure the public being able to vote for Farage or whoever is undemocratic.

KaiserPro 1y ago

I was a fairly ardent anti-monarchist. The problem is, I had put my faith in politicians to unite the UK. The problem is, there isn't much mileage in uniting the UK at the moment, or competence in government. The only real way that the monarchy can survive is if the kingdom stays united. Also, president boris, stamer or farage is just a humiliation I can't really cope with.

rootusrootus 1y ago
> Also, president boris, stamer or farage is just a humiliation I can't really cope with. I definitely appreciate the idea that if you lose confidence in the PM you can fire them pretty quickly. Being stuck with a crappy president for four long years kinda sucks.
exasperaited 1y ago
> Also, president boris, stamer or farage is just a humiliation I can't really cope with. I always tell people I don't actually want to risk an elected presidency until Jeremy Clarkson is too old to run for it.
- tim333 1y ago
  I think prez Jezza would be quite entertaining.
  - Lio 1y ago
    That's entirely the problem.
jopsen 1y ago
> Also, president boris, stamer or farage is just a humiliation I can't really cope with. The British royal family does get some bad press from time to time, but the recent string of British PMs really does serve to remind us all that the bar is really low :)

thrance 1y ago

The monarchy is demonstrably powerless and unwilling to fight the destruction of UK democracy. Right-wing populism has infiltrated all sides of the political landscape there, and with it all the self-destructing ideas we have come to love: defunding of all public services, increase in policing and control, destruction of worker protections, tax cuts for the rich, tax increase for the poor, etc. I live in France, our common mythology, our Roman National as it is called here, is that we beheaded our king. Yet, the most authoritarian people you know will still claim the legacy of our revolution, of De Gaulle and Jeanne d'Arc. Even worse, this mythology is poised as under threat by a made-up out-group and used to seed reactionary fear and divisiveness amidst our nation.

tim333 1y ago
I'm not sure the public being able to vote for Farage or whoever is undemocratic.