About Time...

Read This.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7967142.stm

Like the title says, it's about time. I imagine that a lot of people outside of England wonder why we still bother with the monarchy. The Queen has little political power (plenty of influence but not power, at least not in my opinion). The Princes are tabloid fodder, with Harry grilled over charges of racism and playboy-ism while they only address William when they wonder if he'll marry Kate Middleton or not. Prince Charles is a still divisive figure after the Diana business; my family hates him, but personally, I couldn't give two shits about the guy.

But do I think we need to do away with the monarchy? Honestly, I say no. The Queen really feels like the mother of this nation sometimes, and while we could debate on and on about the implied misogyny of using a woman as a nation's emotional crutch, she doesn't carry the political stains that Gordon Brown and David Cameron share. I think it's important to have someone to look up to who isn't perceived as 'tainted', someone who embodies the values and pride of a country. Political leaders can't give you that.

We don't need to get rid of the monarchy, just tinker around with it a bit.