The Politics Article

The Powers That Be

Published on August 31, 2004 By TheCassMan In Blogging

Now, I am in no way an expert on politics, the history or the working of politics. I take a pretty moderate interest in the way the government is structured and coordinated. Now this is not because I am an ignorant oath, it’s just the way it is. This is probably pretty shameful as I am lucky enough to live in a country where I can freely discuss and demonstrate my political views. So in short, the article I present before you today may cop a grilling, but hey, its all about free speech.

I am very new here on JU and I have noticed quite a trend, a lot of articles posted here relate to politics, directly in some cases, indirectly in others. Now personally I think this is fantastic, that people of varied ages and backgrounds from around the world take such interest in these manners. However what I also notice is a lot of flaming of current forms of leadership/government around the world. From the little government exposure I do bear myself witness to on a week-to-week basis usually entails the booing and hissing of the Howard government in Australia and the Bush government in the States.

The aforementioned may not be the best leaders for both countries involved, hell they could be the worst. This brings me to my point, which asks the users of the JU two questions:

1. Could the opposition governments in the same situation performed any better?

Perhaps an alternative government may not have sent troops to war, but in order to get revenue instead they could of closed down regional hospitals, increased the cost of medication and reduced available health benefits. Inadvertently causing unnecessary illness and death (obviously to a smaller scale, but death is death)

2. Does the problem lie with who is elected in federal and state elections, or does the problem lie further down the track with the screening process (or lack there of) involved in allowing people to run for positions of power

Should we be more stringent about who is allowed to run for government? Should there be a screening process in place that some how filters out the terrible mistakes we seem to constantly elect for positions of power?

As I earlier stated, my know-how in respect to politics is none to great, so these may be very obvious questions with very obvious answers to the most of you.

Enlighten Me

Comments

Muggaz

on Aug 31, 2004

You should post this in the Politics forum mate

Anywho - I am one of the biggest disgruntled citizens in the world when it comes to polotics - always complaining about what this party is doing, and saying what they should. It has taken me a long time, 22 years is a long time, but I am kind of over really caring. I feel like a little part of me has died, because I do have a lot of empathy for the common man, but I have also learnt, that caring about them so much only causes personal greif, for the simple fact of the matter that there are so many morons in the world, and distress i cause myself at witnessing others contempt for their fellow man is only detrimental to my personal well being.

It's not that I have stopped caring for our fellow man, or what is best for him/her - it's just that complaining about it doesn't really get anyone anywhere, and you really have to do something about it personally... Now, I have considered entering politics, joining the young liberals or some such, but I would have to start my own political party and formulate my own policies, because I just can't agree with the mainstream parties on many issues - now, that's a lot of hard work, and I am just not that passionate about poilitics at the moment - probably because I am a little disnchanted with mankind - as far as politics go anyway.

I dont know what is required to restore my faith in politicians - I sincerely beleive a majority are ridiculously corupt, and they generally have their personal interests at hand for the most part anyway - I dont know how you could possibly test someones integrity before they run for politics, and as far as screening processes go - the US has a system of "checks and balances" and they are among the most corrupt politicians in the world for my money - pun intended.

BAM!!!

The Crusaders

on Aug 31, 2004

TheCassMan,

Well, I think the problem is that we all have our grumbles and whines, bitch about this and that .....what they are and are not doing....what they should be doing.....what WE would do ... ..if WE were in their position....but who actually does the research before putting your vote in the box on election day?

When we had our last council elections, in the little coastal town I call home, I decided I would put a little more effort into the actual voting process in order to have an informed vote....well I do have a child to think about now....so the choices I made by who I vote for would affect the choices the council members would make in the future for our town ...and that would therefore affect the choices my son will have in the future.
So I rang up every one of the candidates standing for council office......I needed to know who these people were.....I needed to here their voices.....I needed to see past the speels I had read.....I needed to ask them impromptu questions.......understand them and what they envision .....
And I voted with the knowledge that I had done so knowing who I was voting for.
If we all made a little more effort with the choice of people we appoint to positions of influence.....do you think we may start heading in the right direction?

TheCassMan

on Sep 01, 2004

I applaud your efforts Crusaders; it may not be easy for us as the general mass to do anything dramatic to impact government at a federal level. However, by tackling the local electorates and taking interest in what your community will be offered is definitely the first stage in not only changing things, but ensuring that your vote is not wasted.

If enough people took this approach it would undeniably make an impact on how government acts.

Muggaz

on Sep 01, 2004

If enough people took this approach it would undeniably make an impact on how government acts.

People dont give a rats ass - as long as they have their cable TV,there are no flight paths over their houses, and gas is XX cents a litre... at the end of the day, that's what matters to the regular guy.

the little guy, that's a different story all together...

BAM!!!

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