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This will keep going as long as people agree that survival of the fittest is a sound and fair argument to make the rules in society. Everyone is fending for the

by jokoon 11y ago

This will keep going as long as people agree that survival of the fittest is a sound and fair argument to make the rules in society. Everyone is fending for themselves, and less and less people consider it to be a fair deal to contribute to society. So less join with it, and the one who do want to shield themselves from it. The result is rent seeking and an epidemic of tax dodging. That's how the social net is slowing being deconstructed. I actually have a lot of sympathy for politicians who legitimately try to make people work together (not necessarily taking sides here). Seen how politicians are being systemically hated, I'm sure politics is actually a very tough job right now.

bdg 11y ago
How are politicians "systemically" hated?
- dcposch 11y ago
  Congress has a 11% approval rating. Nearly 90% of Americans agree that it's performing inadequately Given that all 535 members won an election to get there, that is pretty surprising. Widespread dislike of the entire political class is a new phenomenom in US politics. It seems to be driven by: * Unprecedented polarization * Filter bubbles -- new media makes it easy to hear only news you already agree with. * Gridlock and dysfunction
  - vinay427 11y ago
    > Given that all 535 members won an election to get there, that is pretty surprising. I agree with your premise that politicians are generally disliked, but the obvious explanation of this is that voters disapprove of many of the representives they didn't vote for, especially those who belong to a different party or no party.
_yosefk 11y ago
We're lucky that those evil businessmen line up to fill the pockets of the various nice politicians with tens of millions of dollars of, ahem, speaking fees and what-not - the politicians surely deserve it, with their "tough job" and all. As to favors given to businessmen in return for the money at taxpayers' expense - we can't really blame politicians for that, since being the nice people that they are, they just act on their nature of doing good!

by jokoon 11y ago

bdg 11y ago

How are politicians "systemically" hated?

dcposch 11y ago
Congress has a 11% approval rating. Nearly 90% of Americans agree that it's performing inadequately Given that all 535 members won an election to get there, that is pretty surprising. Widespread dislike of the entire political class is a new phenomenom in US politics. It seems to be driven by: * Unprecedented polarization * Filter bubbles -- new media makes it easy to hear only news you already agree with. * Gridlock and dysfunction
- vinay427 11y ago
  > Given that all 535 members won an election to get there, that is pretty surprising. I agree with your premise that politicians are generally disliked, but the obvious explanation of this is that voters disapprove of many of the representives they didn't vote for, especially those who belong to a different party or no party.

_yosefk 11y ago

We're lucky that those evil businessmen line up to fill the pockets of the various nice politicians with tens of millions of dollars of, ahem, speaking fees and what-not - the politicians surely deserve it, with their "tough job" and all. As to favors given to businessmen in return for the money at taxpayers' expense - we can't really blame politicians for that, since being the nice people that they are, they just act on their nature of doing good!