Rather intrigued by this:

"The 1999-2007 Gov wasn't socialist"

The 1999-2003 was a Labour/Lib Dem Coalition that Labour drove
59% turnout; 2.35 million voted; Labour gathered 908,392 votes; 33.64% of votes cast. Represents 23% of the electorate who voted for the Government they got in the Scottish Parliament - 41% of the electorate "couldna gie a f**k" leaving almost two-thirds of those who did vote voting against Labour.

The 2003-2007 was more of the same
49.4% turnout; 1.89 million voted; Labour gathered 659,879 votes; 29.3% of votes cast. Represents 17% of the electorate who voted for the Government they got in the Scottish Parliament - 50.6% of the electorate "couldna gie a f**k" again leaving two-thirds of those who did vote voting against Labour.

To say that either of these Governments were anything other than "socialist" in nature is ridiculous, to attempt to say that they were "social democrat" would be the greatest example of the "Tail-wagging-the-dog" ever seen.

2007-2011 Minority SNP Government
51.7% turnout; 2.02 million voted; SNP gathered 664,227 votes; 31% of votes cast. Represents 17% of the electorate who voted for the Government they got in the Scottish Parliament - 48.3% of the electorate "couldna gie a f**k" again leaving two-thirds of those who did vote voting against the SNP.

2011-Present Majority SNP Government
50% turnout; 1.99 million voted; SNP gathered 902,915 votes; 44.04% of the votes cast. Represents 22.6% of the electorate who voted for the Government they got in the Scottish Parliament - 50% of the electorate "couldna gie a f**k" again leaving 55% of those who did vote voting against the SNP.

(Odd that the supposed "landslide election win that brought the SNP to power in 2011 almost exactly mirrors the Independence Referendum result - Isn't it?)

But you see the pattern emerging - while the SNP may bang on about Westminster Parliaments not always delivering the Government Scotland wants - it can be clearly shown that large areas of Scotland never get the Government they naturally vote for - that is democracy - learn to live with it. The SNP's "populist" policies are driven by the imperative that they must win votes irrespective of whether or not such policies are "good" for the country, or in the country's best long term interest. The SNP have to be in power in order to call for a referendum to achieve independence for Scotland ( So all the division, rancor and harm done is only on the agenda of one single Scottish Party that the majority of people in Scotland never vote for or support).

Before we waste £13.3 million again the electorate of Scotland should be given a say on whether or not they want a referendum - a simple separate question on the Parliamentary ballot paper would determine that, and would remove any chance of only 22% of the electorate of Scotland putting the long term interest of the country in jeopardy.

On Tax Akenaton, IIRC when they introduced upper band of tax that only applied to the existing upper band all other rates stayed exactly the same as they had been. Besides if you do raise taxes right across the board the amount they are raised by would be less, and before you moan about the low earners being the worst hit - just remember that the vast majority of those low earners do not pay any income tax at all. Offhand I cannot remember precisely the percentage of wage earners in Scotland who receive more in benefits each year than they pay in tax, but I do recall that it is high.

To answer some of your other questions:
"why should we punish our population further when they are already being robbed by Westminster."

1: Because Governments are supposed to look to the national interests of the country and look after the population. If the elected Government of Scotland ("independent or not") cannot be arsed to act to address perceived problems, then can you tell me who should? That is the essence of Government - Providing Leadership ("Not a popularity contest, not merely delivering on political dogma") - addressing, overcoming and solving problems. Already robbed by Westminster??? - Populist SNP MYTH - I think the figures prove otherwise.

2: Income Tax Rates:
2014 to 2015 tax year
The current tax year is from 6 April 2014 to 5 April 2015.

Tax rate/Taxable income above your Personal Allowance
Basic rate 20%        - £0 to £31,865
Higher rate 40%        - £31,866 to £150,000
Additional rate 45% - Over £150,000

Example - Source gov.uk/income-tax-rates
You earn £35,000 of taxable income and your Personal Allowance is £10,000. You pay basic rate tax at 20% on £25,000 (£35,000 minus £10,000).