somewhat putting words into peoples mouths, Keith.
i think a lot of us are unsure if the monarchy is worth hanging onto. its an anachronism, and sends a lot of the wrong signals out about our society.....who knows, perhaps some right ones as well.

longevity, stability, power is not absolute, etc.

nobody sugessted sending anyone to the gulag.

the wrong signals it sends are that wealth and respect do not have tobe earned. they are reserved for the financially rich. it reinforces the class system. it spends too much of the country's wealth preserving the past at a period when we desperately need to invest in the future, it reinforces a very unfair tax system. not only are we required to upkeeep our own households, we have the added burden of all the queens men, horses, etc.