The behavior of many of our politicians could be described by many different words. All of them bad.
Before I go on I must say that there are many honorable politicians. The idiots get the publicity. Hard working politicians do not get the credit and notice they deserve.
If I was a politician, I'd find it very hard to lose an election. It would crush my fragile self image. As a result I have not run for any kind of position which requires an election.
Many politicians seem to be interested in only one thing and that is to get elected. As a result they spend all their time and money for the purpose of getting elected. No stunt is too wild to gain attention. Twist their words and other politicians words. Truth goes out the window. Defend all the looney ideas (oops, they don't have any ideas) antics they come up with. The wacky behavior is to try and get elected.
Our premier has recently been caught contacting the justice system regarding certain people who are facing criminal charges. The justice system is not to be influenced by politicians. There's a separation between the two for good reason. Politicians would make very poor judges.
So I think that many of these people are terrified to lose an election. Their egos are fragile. That's all they have to offer. They don't have ideas. They've never heard of the government setting up systems to help people.
Interesting analysis Keith. I spent 15 years in local politics, 9 as Mayor and 6 as a councillor. And your right there are a few good ones and numerous bad onesi found . I believe that the good ones are outnumbered by the bad. I can honestly say my word was my bond and when I finally lost they said they had no complaints but it was time for a change. It was hard to take but one moves on and deals with it. That's life.
ReplyDeleteIt hurts to lose when You know that you can still lead . You lasted far longer than we keep local politicians here.
DeleteI'm sure some politicians want to do good things but then the system chews them up or corrupts them. It would be a difficult thing to lose an election, even harder to keep trying over and over but how intoxicating a win would be!
ReplyDeleteI admire the people who will run several times . It's tough to do.
DeleteI'm certain they are too afraid to lose - job interviews are stressful enough! We had an excellent MP here not long ago, even though she was not the candidate I voted for. She was a talented businesswoman, took a keen interest in local issues, spoke well on TV and was never afraid to stand up for what she thought was right, even when it was not the official party-line. She didn't last long.
ReplyDeleteI knew what your last sentence was going to be. They have to follow the party line.
DeleteThe politicians that do not want to loose are usually the autocratic. Power and greed are their main goals, they do not work for the people.
ReplyDeleteI think it’s maybe even crazier out your way — assuming that is possible.
ReplyDeleteIt's crazy . The premier thinks she can be the judge.
DeleteI don't know about there, but down here, there are healthy pensions in place that are directly influenced by the number of years in office. So the more time one serves, i.e. gets re-elected, the healthier their pension will be for the rest of their lives.
ReplyDeleteBut at some point, things change if they get re-elected enough. My senator, is now the longest serving senator and has always been a U.S. Senator in my memories. I rarely see him campaign anymore. He hardly gets any challengers at re-election time. He still votes pretty predictably though occasionally he goes against his party because at this point, it isn't about his pension as he will be dead in a few years.
Being in the ruling party gives many of these people a very large head. Sad that tis old guy will actually get very little pension. Yes , our politicians get a fat pension.
DeleteAlthough you are talking about Canadian politicians, it sure does seem to be true for most countries, especially the one directly south of you. :-)
ReplyDeleteWe tend to follow you in most things.
DeleteThere seems to be a great decline of ethical politicians everywhere. It's all about power and money.
ReplyDeleteEthical is a good word to use. Ethics are buried under a lot of crap.
DeleteYes they are, which is exactly why we need term limits. Job security should not be the sole consideration.
ReplyDeleteTime limits would limit the time the good guys get to serve. As voters we really have to smarten up and hold our politicians to account for themselves.
DeleteLots of politicians just care about themselves and will do anything to stay in power.
ReplyDeletethey care about themselves and their friends.
DeleteWe have some very good people representing our state at the federal level, but I cringe at some of those they have to work with. Trump is now back in the news full time and his toadies are lining up to lick his grime/crime encrusted boots. What ever happened to having the courage of your convictions. Maybe they just don't have any convictions, or courage.
ReplyDeletePower goes to their heads.
DeleteAnd our premier, so the story goes, was a drug dealer as a youth, and if his daddy hadn't made money, he and his siblings would have never amounted to anything more than being the drunks in the corner bar, griping about how everyone else gets ahead but them.
ReplyDeleteIt's surprising that a guy with Ford's background is elected or even gets close to being elected.
DeleteSo well said, Red.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Things were a little back in your hay day.
DeleteMostly crooks :)
ReplyDeleteThis makes me think of a famous quote, " I'm not a crook!".
ReplyDeleteI don't know if it's fear of losing that motivates them, or a sort of power madness. But I would agree that when some people attain power, they readily overstep legal and ethical boundaries to keep it.
ReplyDeleteOur provincial election is tomorrow. Each of four parties have promised the world if they are elected. Typical fare in politics!
ReplyDeletePolitics and integrity don't often go together.
ReplyDeleteHa! And here I thought you were talking about an orange-hued politician down here in the U.S. of A.
ReplyDeleteYou're right when you say that the idiots get the publicity. They make a lot of noise and that's what we hear about.
ReplyDeleteSome are afraid of losing an election and others are afraid of their darkest secrets being revealed. Those in America that have done a complete flip must be hiding some very dark secrets.
ReplyDeleteit is really hard to believe that politicians are to serve people . they spend all their money and time to triple them and cycle goes on generation to generation ,same here .
ReplyDeletei have seen how they have vast system to blackmail each other during rough times . one who is in jail today for numerous charges ,is out next day and minister because of this skill