AAhaa Mr Bannerman, well said. Exactly my way of thinking.
Central belt rule would see the Highlands as their waste area, bribe the residents to go along with their plans for windfarms, nuclear waste dumping, Pylons and all the nasties that would make money and prosperity for the lowlands.
Ruin our natural beauty, our scenic heritage. Scar the lands with millions more fir trees instead of the deciduous forests of old.
Ignore the fact ( as Westminster has done) that we have some of the potentially best deep water harbours around the UK that have never ever been fully utilised.
Flood more Glens and dam them to enable more pipeline exports of our wonderful water.
Oh yes, Scotland would be rich and prosperous but only as far as the Caledonian Canal............. If that!!
As for being a Democracy no chance, a dictated to Republic I fear. The signs have been emanating from this Scottish Parliament for some time now.
Be very careful for what you wish for.
I would like to think Scotland will someday be self ruled but the people and structure to do this successfully are far in the future.