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> Again I ask, when do we accuse the government of betraying us and the social contract? "Ah, it's simple. It's the fault of this government, but when my party

by sph 3y ago

> Again I ask, when do we accuse the government of betraying us and the social contract? "Ah, it's simple. It's the fault of this government, but when my party gets finally voted in, things will change." And so the circle of the naivety perpetuates. We might hope for a better future only when citizens will realise that both sides are exactly the same, and that they've been lied to since we invented the career politician. Apparently 4 years is how long it takes people to forget whatever bullshit they were sold last time. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anarchism https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anarchism But seeing how everybody is politicised and ultra-partisan today, I can only shake my head and despair. People get the government they deserve.

tamimio 3y ago
>People get the government they deserve. Spot on
zlg_codes 3y ago
Both-sidesism? This goes beyond political party. Creating parties was where we fucked up. First-past-the-post almost ensured that our elections would end up becoming team sports, at that point. I'd be much more trusting of democracy or even representative democracy if the demos had a real say -- We should be voting on issues more than we do people. People can betray trust or twist a vote's meaning. Most of politics, as practiced, is sleight of hand and misleading people. If we vote on issues and then also vote on people whose leadership we trust to execute said issue conclusion, we'd get much closer to something representing the will of the people while also guarding against populist BS. That is the supposed goal of representative democracies, and yet in practice it's bread, circuses, and zero accountability from the top. Losing an election is not a replacement for consequences or taking responsibility for defying the will of your constituents. But, you can't sell that as a sport to people and foment tribal thoughts as easily, so that's no good. /s
- sph 3y ago
  > you can't sell that as a sport to people and foment tribal thoughts as easily Panem et circenses. My niche theory on why we've become so politicised, is because it's become entertainment. Trash reality TV. Today the circenses are not the gladiators fighting for their lives, but the Orange Man vs Old Geezer sitcom on dinner time TV and in the front page of your newspapers. One will find there is little difference between the trashy TV fan and the person avidly following political debates. Meanwhile those reality stars keep stealing and making their friends richer, disregarding any laws because they're the ones making them.
- mikem170 3y ago
  > I'd be much more trusting of democracy or even representative democracy if the demos had a real say The Swiss do a much better job of this! There the people can petition for a referendum to add or delete any law or amend the constitution. They can do this at the municipal, canton (state) or federal level. The result is that politicians know that they need to negotiate with motivated minorities. The people have a veto over the politicians.

by sph 3y ago

tamimio 3y ago

>People get the government they deserve. Spot on

zlg_codes 3y ago

Both-sidesism? This goes beyond political party. Creating parties was where we fucked up. First-past-the-post almost ensured that our elections would end up becoming team sports, at that point. I'd be much more trusting of democracy or even representative democracy if the demos had a real say -- We should be voting on issues more than we do people. People can betray trust or twist a vote's meaning. Most of politics, as practiced, is sleight of hand and misleading people. If we vote on issues and then also vote on people whose leadership we trust to execute said issue conclusion, we'd get much closer to something representing the will of the people while also guarding against populist BS. That is the supposed goal of representative democracies, and yet in practice it's bread, circuses, and zero accountability from the top. Losing an election is not a replacement for consequences or taking responsibility for defying the will of your constituents. But, you can't sell that as a sport to people and foment tribal thoughts as easily, so that's no good. /s

sph 3y ago
> you can't sell that as a sport to people and foment tribal thoughts as easily Panem et circenses. My niche theory on why we've become so politicised, is because it's become entertainment. Trash reality TV. Today the circenses are not the gladiators fighting for their lives, but the Orange Man vs Old Geezer sitcom on dinner time TV and in the front page of your newspapers. One will find there is little difference between the trashy TV fan and the person avidly following political debates. Meanwhile those reality stars keep stealing and making their friends richer, disregarding any laws because they're the ones making them.
mikem170 3y ago
> I'd be much more trusting of democracy or even representative democracy if the demos had a real say The Swiss do a much better job of this! There the people can petition for a referendum to add or delete any law or amend the constitution. They can do this at the municipal, canton (state) or federal level. The result is that politicians know that they need to negotiate with motivated minorities. The people have a veto over the politicians.