Stupid, Stupid, Stupid

imme

Do Politicians Ever Learn?



"You Must Be Stupid, Stupid, Stupid...." is of course a quote from the movie Erin Brockovich.

I use it this time as a accusation against our politicians.

How many times will issues arrise like the banking crisis for government to realise that these things have happened before, there is nothing new under the sun.

In 1985 the government took the decision to underwrite AIB after it's rueful acquisition of ICI turned sour

http://www.rte.ie/player/#v=1085451

Will our politicians learn, or are they destined to repeat the same mistakes of the past.

Banks can't be helped out to an infinite degree.

Banks have failed in the past, its the nature of their business that they might fail.

amen

no offense but how did not know this? I was only 12 in 1985 and I know this.

Loads of doddgy things going on in Ireland and always has been.

As the saying goes the "dog in the street knows" but no one does anything about.

I remember my parents telling my Haughey was a crook when he was elected Taoiseach.

imme

amen wrote: »

no offense but how did not know this? I was only 12 in 1985 and I know this.

Loads of doddgy things going on in Ireland and always has been.

As the saying goes the "dog in the street knows" but no one does anything about.

I remember my parents telling my Haughey was a crook when he was elected Taoiseach.

of course I was aware of ICI, and I'm aware of the insurance levy that we're all paying as a result of it.

I'm asking the question if politicians ever learn. this thread isn't about Charlie Haughey, why introduce him into the question?

amacca

Of course politicians learn..

for instance they learn how to:

feather their own nest, act in their own interest, work to get themselves re-elected, compromise so as not to rock the boat, pander to powerful interest groups etc etc

they may enter motivated by idealism and wanting to do things better but they will soon succumb to self interest as I have to admit so probably would I in their shoes.


what surprises me is how large blocks of the electorate never learn and act surprised and outraged when these things keep happening...what the hell do they expect...can they not join the dots...or do they just enjoy poring out vitriol, hurling torrents of abuse, telling everyone why x person or y person is stupid (even though x or y person earns multiples of their salary:D)...why dont they do something....it always amazes me how little they will do when its put to them.


system has to be changed to reward those acting in the majorities best interest, those creating something sustainable

but as always these new rules/checks/counterbalances/incentives/consequences will be manipulated/circumvented/watered down etc and a new unjust/unfair corrupt system will hold sway before giving way to a new one

etc etc

I'm not being entirely cynical or fatalistic but this is the way of the world, always has been

and while things have changed for the better over time in a lot of developed countries it will always only be incremental change and you will never stamp out bribery/corruption or stupidity....ever I suspect.


basically, I don't think politicians (the majority at least) act stupidly at all (when it comes to their own best interests) and to even attribute stupidity to their actions is imo naive.

they may act stupidly when it comes to your long term best interests however you can hardly blame them for that can you! you didn't really think they were there trying to do the best for our country and failing miserably because they were stupid did you?

the only way to solve a situation like that is to make steps to try and link your best interests
to their best interests.

ArmaniJeanss

imme wrote: »

"You Must Be Stupid, Stupid, Stupid...." is of course a quote from the movie Erin Brockovich.

I think its actually John Grishams 'The Rainmaker'. Similar sort of plot though.

feicim

amacca wrote: »

Of course politicians learn..

for instance they learn how to:

.

Thought I'd add in one more...

Manipulate the Irish electorate.

They are experts in this.

If they were bothered about the fate of the electorate they would have expended a bit of effort protecting them, and becoming experts in how to run a country.

But no, they seem to have spent all their efforts becoming masters of spin and manipulation of the electorate.

amacca

feicim wrote: »

Thought I'd add in one more...

Manipulate the Irish electorate.

They are experts in this.

If they were bothered about the fate of the electorate they would have expended a bit of effort protecting them, and becoming experts in how to run a country.

But no, they seem to have spent all their efforts becoming masters of spin and manipulation of the electorate.

yup...agree with you

I used to think they were not that good at this and that their ploys/misdirection and half truths were so transparent that most voters would be able to see through it.

How wrong and naive I was, their tactics have worked and currently still seem to be working.

people do seem to behave like a flock of sheep most of the time and our politicians have become masters at manipulating the herd

I was expecting a stampede long ago