Dear Tim: Let me say again I an NOT a Royalist. The only reason I am, marginally, in favour of their survival is the Unforeseen Consequences likelihood which comes with much change just for the sake of it: the getting rid of Royalty in France & in Russia was/were not spectacularly successful!

But I am a democrat; which I regret to say, for all your saying, you-lot are NOT. I am happy you have your different views, and that mine are not, as you say, shared by everyone. But do please realise that, as I honestly think I have demonstrated with my poll posts above, yours are the minority views; & at least have the humility, & the democratic instincts, to recognise the fact.

I take your point about education being a majority benefit for which all should pay: but Royalty and its concomitant pageantry, as I say I have shown by the polls, & the present attitudes of the media (to which all of you vociferously take exception ~~ but they are in biznis & wouldn't publish it all if it didn't sell becoz so may WANT it), bring a great deal of pleasure to a considerable majority, who contribute as much to its cost as the minority who would prefer to be without it; & who should therefore pay up with as good a grace as they do for education if they are the democrats they [you] claim to be.

And of course I can say I am not trying to shut you up. I am enjoying this thread immensely. Aren't you!

Regards

~Michael~