You're right, of course, that the 'yes' campaign is built on romanticism, whereas the 'no' vote is based on realism.ErnstRemarx wrote: The force of romanticism and starry eyed idealism, as well as healthy xenophobia about the English fuels some. Others see the erosion of the Scottish polity and surroundings due to a Westminster based government that they hardly voted for and in these cases, as well as in the name of self-determination (and in some cases a barely concealed chip on the shoulder and a wish to stick it to da man), people will be voting 'yes'.
The 'no' vote appears to be the rather more cautious (you might say realistic/sanguine) Scots who've apparently decided that the risks and the unknowns so charmingly skated over by Wee Eck and the SNP are pretty relevant when it's potentially your job, home and public services that might take the hit. For me, the currency question on its own (plus its numerous ramifications, of course) makes the whole thing a non-starter, but I'm not getting to vote, despite the fact that secession would affect the north of England.
Salmond's conflation of currency union and sterlingisation is just one of his ploys to avoid difficult questions (or rather, simple questions with vote-losing answers). On another subject - entry to the EU - he is also less than forthright.
A Holyrood committee inquired about entry and citizenship and got the following official reply:
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/S4_Eu ... 4__pdf.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
So no "continuing membership" and hence no carry-forward of UK opt-outs.
Whatever the currency, the cost of living in an independent Scotland will increase, with, for example, at least 5% VAT on food. The EU directive on VAT states that:
"Taxable transactions are taxed at the rates and under the conditions set by the EU country where they take place. The standard rate of VAT is set as a percentage of the taxable amount which, until 31 December 2015, may not be less than 15 %.
"EU countries may apply one or two reduced rates of not less than 5 %. The reduced rates may only be applied to supplies of goods and services in the categories listed in Annex III to the VAT Directive (as last amended by Directive 2009/47/EC).
"The EU countries may also, after consultation of the VAT Committee, apply a reduced rate to supplies of natural gas, electricity and district heating".
http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/taxation/l31057_en.htm
Funny how Salmond never mentions it!
edit - oops, seem to have screwed up the line length (urls not wrapping?)