Topic: Do politicians take us for granted? (Read 552 times)
Yes they do. In most African countries especially in the West, this is a norm. Prior to election, they come home, campaigning, making unbelievable promises. The same town they haven't visited in years, they do during electioneering campaign. And after the election, they disappear. Feigning memory loss as per their manifesto. The little things they do like road construction is broadcasted on air like they are doing the masses a favor. Why else where they voted into office if not to fix things/fulfill their promises? But they act like the masses needed them badly to save them. There's no accountability on the part of politicians. They seem to do as they please, with reckless abandon.
Is not only applicable in your country but the whole of African countries and some other developing countries of the world. Politicians in Africa are self centered, corrupt and they lack leadership quality and they built a political system in such a way that good people with good intentions will not be able to attain any of such position expecially if you are in there group.
In my opinion, the problem exists worldwide.
Due to the fact that African countries have a lot of citizens that live under the poverty level this is more intense in the region. That's why politicians promise a better future and also end up as corrupted governments. It is easier to do so in the African continent.
The story here in most African countries is weird. Its like the only time these politicians seem to care is when election is approaching. They visit us, give us empty promises and a whole lot. Funny enough, they are voted for massively. Then once they are in power, we are out of the picture. In my country for instance, apart from what I was taught back in school, I cant really pinpoint the essence of the Legislature. From my observation, this has become a cycle. Its like instead of them bringing up policies that will improve lives, they waste resources just like that and master how to make us vote for them when the time comes.
My worry is, are we naive or thats just how the game of politics is played?
My worry is, are we naive or thats just how the game of politics is played?
That is one thing the politicians in Africa are good for and the reason why they can get away with it is because the people allowed them and its even rampant to the extent that a politician who have offered nothing to its people in its first term could have the effrontery to go for second term by winning its party ticket and even contesting for election but the people are just there rallying behind such individual giving him the right to ride them and cheat them for the next four years without any apology.
Is not only applicable in your country but the whole of African countries and some other developing countries of the world. Politicians in Africa are self centered, corrupt and they lack leadership quality and they the system in such a way that good people with good intentions will not be able to attain any of such position expecially if you are in there group.
Sadly, yes. It happens everywhere. In some countries the electorate has very little choice. I'm lucky that in my country the electorate is able to vote freely. The problem in the UK at least is that many people have a sufficiently good standard of living that they couldn't really care about politics. They will vote according to whichever way the tabloid press and TV news (and carefully curated social media feeds) pull them, rather than voting after carefully considering the pros and cons of each argument from their own independent viewpoint.
Is not only applicable in your country but the whole of African countries and some other developing countries of the world. Politicians in Africa are self centered, corrupt and they lack leadership quality and they the system in such a way that good people with good intentions will not be able to attain any of such position expecially if you are in there group.
Sadly, yes. It happens everywhere. In some countries the electorate has very little choice. I'm lucky that in my country the electorate is able to vote freely. The problem in the UK at least is that many people have a sufficiently good standard of living that they couldn't really care about politics. They will vote according to whichever way the tabloid press and TV news (and carefully curated social media feeds) pull them, rather than voting after carefully considering the pros and cons of each argument from their own independent viewpoint.
Is not only applicable in your country but the whole of African countries and some other developing countries of the world. Politicians in Africa are self centered, corrupt and they lack leadership quality and they built a political system in such a way that good people with good intentions will not be able to attain any of such position expecially if you are in there group.
Well done Styca! This picture shows how smarter people are in choosing their leaders! It's the same situation in many
countries, including my own.
I would not call this leader, and many other leaders 'competent'! This new politicians are making things worst then they
been ever before.
countries, including my own.
I would not call this leader, and many other leaders 'competent'! This new politicians are making things worst then they
been ever before.
Thanks. A picture says a thousand words. My own country (UK) is the same. We have 'Trump-Lite' Boris Johnson...
But luckily in these days, people are getting smarter in choosing their leaders. They carefully look for someone who is competent enough to represent them, having the ability and skills enough to meet their standards and having concerns with the others without ill motives.
Well done Styca! This picture shows how smarter people are in choosing their leaders! It's the same situation in many
countries, including my own.
I would not call this leader, and many other leaders 'competent'! This new politicians are making things worst then they
been ever before.
But luckily in these days, people are getting smarter in choosing their leaders. They carefully look for someone who is competent enough to represent them, having the ability and skills enough to meet their standards and having concerns with the others without ill motives.
The story here in most African countries is weird. Its like the only time these politicians seem to care is when election is approaching. They visit us, give us empty promises and a whole lot. Funny enough, they are voted for massively. Then once they are in power, we are out of the picture. In my country for instance, apart from what I was taught back in school, I cant really pinpoint the essence of the Legislature. From my observation, this has become a cycle. Its like instead of them bringing up policies that will improve lives, they waste resources just like that and master how to make us vote for them when the time comes.
My worry is, are we naive or thats just how the game of politics is played?
While there are few politicians who are egoistic and money-centered who seek only for one's own advantage and pleasure while disregarding others, there are some politicians who are sincere in devoting themselves in the service for the general welfare of their people. But having more self-centered politicians other than good public servants made us believe that they are all the same. We often generalized them as one who are good only from the start who corrupt the minds of their people using flowery words just to convince to vote for them and to get what they want, but in truth their true intention is to enrich themselves at the expense of the others, amassing money, betraying their people trust again and again. Devoured by their ambitions and selfishness. But luckily in these days, people are getting smarter in choosing their leaders. They carefully look for someone who is competent enough to represent them, having the ability and skills enough to meet their standards and having concerns with the others without ill motives. They say that a person is inherently good but money is the root of all evil. My worry is, are we naive or thats just how the game of politics is played?
What I think really is that we deserve the kind of politicians we get. I mean, they all came from us, they are a true reflection of who we are.
Yes. The annoying thing for me is so many people aren't remotely interested in politics, and just vote according to whatever the manipulative tabloid headlines tell them to do.
I wish people could only vote if they genuinely understood what they were voting for.
Any group calling controlling public funds will always try to use the money for their own benefit.
That's how it is and how it will always be with public funds.
That's how it is and how it will always be with public funds.
I agree that some corruption is inevitable. The ideal system of government is whatever reduces the possibility for this corruption. It's part of why capitalism triumphed over communism. The excesses of capitalism may be distasteful, but less so than some of the excesses of communism.
Any discussion is mute.
Politicians distribute public money stolen from the countries residents.
Why would someone use someone elses money on someone elses benefit?
Any group calling controlling public funds will always try to use the money for their own benefit.
That's how it is and how it will always be with public funds.
Politicians distribute public money stolen from the countries residents.
Why would someone use someone elses money on someone elses benefit?
Any group calling controlling public funds will always try to use the money for their own benefit.
That's how it is and how it will always be with public funds.
Hmm that's extremely difficult question to answer. I do believe it depends how big the politician is and how much people he directly has to represent. Contact with people is really important, and when you have good relation with them you can do lots of things. But at the most cases, politicians starts to see themselves as someone incredible big and important.
As an African I will say that OPs statement is totally accurate and this thing persist because people don't seem to learn, there are lots of people who vote mainly on tribal lines and that's the reason why most politicians are very confident because they know that once they win the primaries in their constituency they are going to end up winning the elections. Some tribes and locations are strictly for one political party and they sure aren't going to change now.
I wonder if we'd do better without politial parties at all. Every representative an independent, accountable to their constituents. Of course they'd need to agree a leader amongst themselves once they got elected, but it seems a better option than the current arrangement.
i feel politicians need to set a mission statement, with clear targets and a progress report
that way we can see how far they are actually achieving the goals they 'promise'
EG if a government vote on certain things each week. there needs to be a summary report that people can see that shows that politicians voted 90% of the time (not hundred percent because even politicians ned a few weeks vacation
EG where thee votes show 100% sway in the direction that benefits their main mission
for instance a vote on a bill that can lead to more unemployment by halting production/manufacturing. would b a no vote for someones political mission of improving employment
that way the bill would not pass unless it was altered to also include retraining and new enterprises to start up in its place.
EG retrain coal miners into being solar panel installers and ensuring all employees got a job
we cant just have a system of empty promise one day and 1459 days of twiddling thumbs doing nothing every 4 years
that way we can see how far they are actually achieving the goals they 'promise'
EG if a government vote on certain things each week. there needs to be a summary report that people can see that shows that politicians voted 90% of the time (not hundred percent because even politicians ned a few weeks vacation
EG where thee votes show 100% sway in the direction that benefits their main mission
for instance a vote on a bill that can lead to more unemployment by halting production/manufacturing. would b a no vote for someones political mission of improving employment
that way the bill would not pass unless it was altered to also include retraining and new enterprises to start up in its place.
EG retrain coal miners into being solar panel installers and ensuring all employees got a job
we cant just have a system of empty promise one day and 1459 days of twiddling thumbs doing nothing every 4 years
Individually, yes. They don't give a bat shit about you nor me. They only care that they get back into office. Which is where interest groups come in. Groups that can give them votes and campaign funds (which can be the same group) are groups they listen to. It counts to be able to organize so we can give them a piece of our mind.
More than taking us for granted, politicians take us for idiots. Unfortunately sufficient numbers of people are idiots, so the politicans get re-elected.
It's election time in the UK, and this tw*t is already out and about doing his 'man of the people' bit.
It's election time in the UK, and this tw*t is already out and about doing his 'man of the people' bit.
Well i don't really think they think of us as idiot. They know that a lot of people are smart. We just don't have the power to go against what they want to do. That's ll there is to it. You the smug faces of these old politicians and they're like "I'm doing anything i need to stay in power and you can stay in misery and poverty. And you can't do anything about it."
More than taking us for granted, politicians take us for idiots. Unfortunately sufficient numbers of people are idiots, so the politicans get re-elected.
It's election time in the UK, and this tw*t is already out and about doing his 'man of the people' bit.
It's election time in the UK, and this tw*t is already out and about doing his 'man of the people' bit.
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