Politicians - Over criticism, or self fulfilling incompetenc

[OJ]

I have a theory. What with all of the sgging off of whatever government is in charge and stereotyping that goes on are the people really over-criticising our government for what is in fact a difficult and thankless job, or are they generally all incompetent.

Does the pre-disposition towards wanting to become a politician apply only to those who either desire power (and are thus easily corrupted by it), or perhaps does the future Politician become so opinionated during his education over society that he tasks himself with imposing his views on others which drives him towards a position of power.

Alternatively, is any attempt to guide a local population futile within the bounds of policy, thus requiring the politician to have a talent of bullstting to progress that ends up with the person in question being in a position that they cannot intellectually cope with?

It seems like all we get is either someone shouting about what they think is best for the country rather than listening to what the country actually wants (sometimes with their hand in the till, less often not), or someone that clearly hasn't got a clue blundering his way through while trying to persuade the masses that what he/she is doing is right!

So is the nature of politics as a profession self defeating, or are they not as bad as we like to make out? Or am I oversimplifying it?

[Eric Mc]

I think you have some very valid points.

The negativisation (I might just have invented that word) of politics and politicians is now a very dangerous trend and very reminiscent of what happened in Germany in teh late 1920s and early 1930s.

Unfortunately, politicians do not seem to be able to change their ways or atitudes and are not really helping their cause.

[AJS-]

Think about the relationship politicians have with the individual: You get roughly one vote in fifty thousand, once every 4 years for your local MP, and on that basis they make laws, borrow money, impose their prejudices, raise taxes, claim huge expenses and go around starting wars in your name.

Constant criticism is about the only way we have of keeping them in some sort of check between elections, and IMO something we don't, and probably can't do enough of.

Edited by AJS- on Thursday 12th February 12:36