Letters / Beacon for democracy
Over the years independence has always been a whisper in the wind, a quiet conversation between a few, something we read about or watched a drunk Australian ride about and cry freedom for the entertainment.
Now at the respectable age of 28 years, independence was something I never really seriously thought about and something I never thought I would ever see let alone be voting for.
Now on the Eve of that very day I find myself reflecting on what has been and what may come to pass.
Back in 2003 when I was a 17 year old living in student accommodation in the Gorbals, Glasgow, I remember the Iraq anti war demonstrations marching towards the city centre.
Being young and bold I opened my window and at the top of my voice shouted ‘Bomb Iraq!!’, which happened to be perfectly timed with the crowd taking a breather from their horns and peace songs.
Back then I believed we were the crusaders of freedom who were marching to free a country from the grips of an evil man who threatened the rest of the world. I believed what I was told. Saddam had weapons of mass destruction and we had to stop him.
Sadly as the years have gone on we as a nation have realised that it had nothing to do with Saddam, nothing to do with weapons of massive destruction and definitely nothing to do with the people of Iraq.
It was war to secure energy. We lost men under the flag of the union and the mass genocide continues eleven years on. I won’t stand up and say I lose sleep over it but it certainly opened my eyes to what we are a part of.
2008 we moved into one of the biggest financial meltdowns the world has ever seen. Greed was allowed to prevail and those people who continue to reap the benefits brought our country to its knees and put our savings at risk.
Those who gambled on Icelandic bonds that paid a rate of interest that was beyond mathematics were bailed out for every pound they lost by taxpayers’ money. Have they learned anything? No, they have become richer.
Does the man on the street who bet his house on a three legged horse get his money back? I think not.
It has been the poor who have suffered and the austerity continues with food banks now a common sight across Scotland.
Two years ago our two governments came together and agreed to allow a democratic referendum on the independence of Scotland. As soon as it was announced I knew I’d vote Yes; Yes for our identity, Yes for our future generations and Yes for our own country.
I knew I’d vote Yes with the full knowledge that things will not be easy, there will be no streets of gold or land of plenty but there will be the hope for change.
Two years on and I now have a deep resentment towards London; a deep resentment of the small minority of multi millionaires who rule over us.
I’m sick of war, I’m sick of trillions being wasted on bombs, I’m sick of austerity yet we can afford to bomb half the Middle East, I’m sick of the scrapes of London’s table, I’m sick of being a rich country but watch millions suffer and most of all I’m sick being told that an independent Scotland will not work, cannot work and we would be fools to do so.
Independence is something people fight for yet we will vote for it. Independence will allow us to make what is wrong right, it won’t be easy, there are risks but as a country we will take those risks together and we will work harder than anyone to over come them.
I believe there is nothing we as a nation can’t overcome. I believe the first few years will not be easy but I also believe that we will be the generation that builds a better prosperous nation for our children.
I haven’t written this to sway people, I haven’t written this for a debate. I’ve voted Yes via postal vote.
These are my thoughts and I wish everyone good luck. The eyes of the world are upon our small nation and rightfully so. Thursday’s vote could send shock waves across the world and be a shining beacon for democracy.
Craig Johnson
Northmavine
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