NationStates Jolt Archive

Simple question really do you trust your elected representative? What with all the stories of sleaze, scandal and corruption it's becoming more and more difficult to trust politicians, personally i still do trust my M.P, i believe it's the poor work of the few that are outweighing the good actions of the many.

Not York MP Hugh Bailey, he's a wank.

The one from Selby is quite good, mind. John Groger or something. Good bloke and he votes for what he believes in, instead of following the party line like Bailey.

Well i've always been impressed with my M.P Henry Bellingham (north norfolk), i've written to him before and he does listen and get things done. You raised an entirely seperate point about the party whip there, do you not think though that sometimes it's necessary for stable government?

Depends. I don't trust Carl Levin or Debbie Stabenow any further then I could throw them. I trust my local and (to a lesser extent) state politicians much more then any federal "elected" official.

I might like them, I might promote them but I will NEVER trust them. Far too much is at stake to trust a politician. Even our Constitution doesn't trust them. ;) NEVER get too comfortable with your representative and ALWAYS hold him/her accountable. Watch them like you would watch a 4 year old. The second you turn your back on them they'll burn down the house.

Sally Keeble could do with a good kick in the **** but I guess shes not the most evil labour MP

and this why I do not trust politicians (http://www.viruscomix.com/page431.html)

I might like them, I might promote them but I will NEVER trust them. Far too much is at stake to trust a politician. Even our Constitution doesn't trust them. ;) NEVER get too comfortable with your representative and ALWAYS hold him/her accountable. Watch them like you would watch a 4 year old. The second you turn your back on them they'll burn down the house.

Haha, that's just the problem i think, everyone seems to share your view (a valid one certainly), something needs to be done to improve public perception of politicians.

You raised an entirely seperate point about the party whip there, do you not think though that sometimes it's necessary for stable government?
If your government actually had much support from the public and from the people representing the public, you wouldn't need whips.

If your government actually had much support from the public and from the people representing the public, you wouldn't need whips.

well as our MPs are forever battling between their roles as party representatives and representing their constituents, and besides you'll never have a government that every person who voted for it agrees with every one of its policies.

Well... my elected politicians? I'm fond of Janet Napolitano. I'm not too sure of John McCain, though.

I honestly find it sad that people are so ignorant to lose their trust in all politicians just because of what a few people do. Talk about a bad working environment.

It's not ignorant to not trust politicians. It's responsible and productive to keep an eye on them. They can do a lot of damage if left without adult supervision. Don't think so? Check out the $10 trillion debt and the $3 Trillion budget we have at the Federal level these days.

Not the elected ones, no. Our MP runs a car dealership, and our PM wishes he was Putin.
I trust Stéphan Dion, though.

No. The whole mechanism of democracy requires us NOT to trust politicians, so we will always hold them to account for their actions. Politicians, like everyone else, will do whatever will benefit them most, and if we keep a sharp eye on them, and make it clear that they will draw most benefit by being straight, honest and community-minded, we will have proper democracy, and proper governance.

Nope.
I hold it with Douglas Adams on this one, the only one qualified to do the job of a politician is someone who doesn't want to do it.
Don't ever trust anyone who wants to be a politician. And always keep a close eye on them.

I trust them to be largely corrupt and self-interested. Which is to say, no.

Lol. My governor was charged with 19 federal counts of campaign and voter fraud. Specifically, using campaign funds for his own private use(trips to China, clothes, etc.)

So, I don't trust them.

Who would?

In our Country Politicians are owned by either

Oil and Arms Manufactoring (R)

or

Hollywood and Activist Groups (D)

None support the majority of the people.....

Well I have a kind of trust for all politicians. I trust them to say/support anything if they think it will increase their vote. If they see their voters switch their position they will to. If they think that the voters want something done they will do it. If they think need to do something to increase their campaign fund they will.

Due to the strong desire of a politician to get more votes they will pull whatever they think will achieve this in the eyes of the public.

Well, all I can say is that it's really sad that most of the American population, if not the European, too, base their thoughts of politicians on a select few. Should I judge England from the actions of its old monarchs? Should I judge Germany from the actions of Hitler? Should I judge America from the George W. Bush Administration?

I think it's very dense to say that politicians are lying scoundrels that would do anything for the vote of their constituents, whether it be lying, cheating, or stealing. It's an over-generalization, and we all should know where those lead.

Well, all I can say is that it's really sad that most of the American population, if not the European, too, base their thoughts of politicians on a select few. Should I judge England from the actions of its old monarchs? Should I judge Germany from the actions of Hitler? Should I judge America from the George W. Bush Administration?

I think it's very dense to say that politicians are lying scoundrels that would do anything for the vote of their constituents, whether it be lying, cheating, or stealing. It's an over-generalization, and we all should know where those lead.

I would say that, in America at least, the problem is that the Constituents really dont matter, its the Delegates, and their Corporate Backers...so, Theyre Lying, Cheating, Stealing Bastards thatll do anything for the support of their Lobbyists who can get the support of the Party Delegates...who, unfortunately make the real decisions...

Well, all I can say is that it's really sad that most of the American population, if not the European, too, base their thoughts of politicians on a select few. Should I judge England from the actions of its old monarchs? Should I judge Germany from the actions of Hitler? Should I judge America from the George W. Bush Administration?

I think it's very dense to say that politicians are lying scoundrels that would do anything for the vote of their constituents, whether it be lying, cheating, or stealing. It's an over-generalization, and we all should know where those lead.

Nope not all politicians here in the US are corrupted, just the 2 major parties that actually have enough sponsors and corporate supports to run their presidential campaign. Of course seeing as those are the only 2 realistic choice we have at the moment, there's simply no reason why they would care for the poor and middle class over their sponsors.

See someone like Nader I don't think he's a lying, cheating, or stealing scumbag. It's pretty obvious that he's running for his beliefs rather than winning. That is not to say that I think Nader's policies work in the real world though.

Not as far as I can throw 'em, the lot of elitist bastards.

GP

I trust the mayor of my town (He's a long time family friend), but that's about it. Oh yea, I have political connection Mo Fo! :p

I trust no one.

I question how parties get selection of the candidates. In America the president must have millions of dollars. Why can a smart person who hasnt inherited the family fortune run? The enforcement of the rich guy policy for the US system just sucks.

In my country of Australia over 80% of the elected official have an economics or legal degree. Why should just people with these qualifications be elected? In the Labour party (democrat equivalent) over 3/4 of their off elected officials have been involved in running a Union. The people who arnt union officials get pushed to marginal seats so that they have a bigger chance of winning it.

I dont pay too much attention to European politics but I believe the problem with my local politics is that people dont pay attention. In my city only 12% of people can state the name of the opposition leader. Politics is in a very sad state and I dont thinks its sad that people dont trust their leaders.

I think its sad that people have not looked into their decision before they vote (ie all alternatives). Making up your mind at the ballot, not turning up to vote or not knowing who your local member is! WTF is that?

In my city only 12% of people can state the name of the opposition leader. Politics is in a very sad state and I dont thinks its sad that people dont trust their leaders.

I think its sad that people have not looked into their decision before they vote (ie all alternatives). Making up your mind at the ballot, not turning up to vote or not knowing who your local member is! WTF is that?

Yeah, that at least is the same here...I think its all about the distractions, you know, here its American Idol, Reality shows and the like...I like to compare it to the Roman Empire, they had a Republic, but, as soon as they began to care more about the Local Gladiators or Chariot Racers, Cesar can come in and tell everyone else to Shove It...I think its been the same here for about 70 or 80 years of just the executive branch gobbling and gobbling up more power as more and more people stop paying attention since the invention of TV and Commercial Radio...The Two Party system is a Bi-Product of that Executive Dynamic as more and more politicians abandon their core values in favor of gaining the money and power of a Corporate Party Backer, and once both parties realized this they began fixing it so that no others can oppose them, so your guaranteed either a D or an R...

Depends. I don't trust Carl Levin or Debbie Stabenow any further then I could throw them. I trust my local and (to a lesser extent) state politicians much more then any federal "elected" official.

Quite.

Yeah, that at least is the same here...I think its all about the distractions, you know, here its American Idol, Reality shows and the like...I like to compare it to the Roman Empire, they had a Republic, but, as soon as they began to care more about the Local Gladiators or Chariot Racers, Cesar can come in and tell everyone else to Shove It...I think its been the same here for about 70 or 80 years of just the executive branch gobbling and gobbling up more power as more and more people stop paying attention since the invention of TV and Commercial Radio...The Two Party system is a Bi-Product of that Executive Dynamic as more and more politicians abandon their core values in favor of gaining the money and power of a Corporate Party Backer, and once both parties realized this they began fixing it so that no others can oppose them, so your guaranteed either a D or an R...


Actually the position of Emperor, and that of the creation of the Roman Empire was given to Augustus Ceaser, he did not want it at first. The people thought it would be better to have an Emperor than have a Senate, which often betrayed the people. Also, there are more than two parties in the US, they just don't have too much support or money.

America has the most trustworthy politicians, so yes, I trust them.

I don't trust any British politician in the slightest, and I don't trust the farcical "democracy" we're supposed to be having.

Not as far as I can throw 'em, the lot of elitist bastards.

GP

:)

I trust them to be largely corrupt and self-interested. Which is to say, no.

Well you would most likely be right in thinking that.

Local/state politicians? Somewhat.

Dubya/Cheney? HELL NO.