Is politics boring

ilovesleep

My sister and I were yapping the other night and I go raving on about how great www.politics.ie is and how there are so many users who are funny with their wit and sarcasm towards many serious issues that Ireland has. And my sister just wasn't interested in knowing what politics.ie is and how great and funny it is and she says politics is boring. Why go there or some such thing.

Years ago, I held a similiar attitude that politics is so boring and I wouldn't have been interested in it and my brain would automatically shut with political pieces on the news or in the papers but somewhere along the way that changed for me. I now think that politicians get the reins of the country and can introduce policies and measures that can impact on your life and on my other lives. Why turn a blind eye to politics and what politicians do when they get to play around with your life.

Is politics boring for you?

Biggins

ilovesleep wrote: »

...Is politics boring for you?

No.
It about life and how it effects my wife and my children - so no, its not boring for me.

RidleyRider

YES.

Where To

Politics isn't boring, politics.ie is depressingly boring though.

KERSPLAT!

Not at all but I did find that as I got older, I definitely became more interested in politics

davet82

Yes except when Bill Clinton was in office

GLaDOS

I find it horrendously boring, but that's just me

K3lso

I dislike politics.

I'm more of a Liberty kind of guy.

Victor

It's a bit like war - 99% boring and 1% pure hell.

NegativeCreep

I can't think of anything more boring. I have a friend, fancies himself as a future taoiseach and never shuts up about politics! Nothing worse than being forced to listen to crap you don't care about!

Lollipops23

No, how can something so important be boring?

I do find the "same shíte, different government" thing is certainly getting old, but I'll always try my best to stay informed on political matters.

BBDBB

No, but people talking about it soon descends into a polarised right v wrong bore fest so eventually it gets that way

K3lso

NegativeCreep wrote: »

I can't think of anything more boring. I have a friend, fancies himself as a future taoiseach and never shuts up about politics! Nothing worse than being forced to listen to crap you don't care about!

You don't think the fact that there are power mad gangsters deciding everything about your life? That to you, is not even the least bit interesting? Back to Xfactor and the Premier League with you...

Dravokivich

Tax free brown envelopes, hookers, pro tips on the horses, gravy trains, and that's just the induction for your first term in the dail. How in the heck can that be boring?

SeaFields

In recent times I have definitely taken less of an interest in it owing to how fooking negative and depressing the medias coverage of anything economic/political is.

It is interesting tho at times, especially elections.

squod

Dravokivich wrote: »

Tax free brown envelopes, hookers, pro tips on the horses, gravy trains, and that's just the induction for your first term in the dail. How in the heck can that be boring?

We should make a 'West Wing' style series about our politicians and leaders. Trouble is, if we told the truth in these episodes no-one would believe it.

El Guapo!

This may sound strange but I actually take more of an interest in U.S politics than irish politics.
I dunno why but I just find it more interesting than what's going on over here.

edanto

Our collective apathy is the reason we are in the mess we are in. As a rule, people don't care about politics, and don't join up the dots that go from less money in their pockets, through local government, to Kildare St and on to Europe.

Beats me why more people don't see that connection, but a lot of them seem to prefer being entertained to getting involved and that is absolutely their right. XFactor and the Premier League bore the t1ts off me, just wired different I guess.

MaxSteele

Yes very. I don't even know who my local representative is.

I know Gino Kenny is an independent TD or a part of some left wing party around here that's about it. He actually seems to give shit from what I've heard of him. That's about as far as I go with politics.

NegativeCreep

K3lso wrote: »

You don't think the fact that there are power mad gangsters deciding everything about your life? That to you, is not even the least bit interesting? Back to Xfactor and the Premier League with you...

There's nothing I can do to change it so talking about it does nothing but bore and depress me. I don't watch football or Xfactor thanks :L

Kev.OC

I find it kinda boring, I must say. I try and keep myself relatively informed, usually on the bigger issues, and always read up before referendums, but most of the time I really couldn't care.

Occasionally I catch a bit of the Dail shenanigans on tv in the mornings. It's absolutely appalling to watch. I've seen children disagree in a more civil manner. The carry on of most of the people in there is shocking. Bunch of entitled petulant dicks. I genuinely get angry watching the arguments. One politician will make a point, someone else will start talking, then the first one will make some snide remark to those close-by, who'll all start sniggering. Person two will stop talking and start moaning, person one starts talking back, they get louder until they're eventually nearly shouting at each other. Then the Ceann Comhairle steps in and stops the shouting, but by that stage the time is up so they move on to the next topic for "discussion".

See the anger that started to come out in the above paragraph? I can't follow politics. Bad for my heart pressure. :pac:

edanto

The whole Dail set up is a disaster. They have almost no power at all, nothing they say or do has much of an influence on legislation which is written by (senior, well-off) civil servants and put under the Ministers chins to be read out during a sham 'debate'.

Our system is horribly dysfunctional. I'm hoping that loads of candidates will spring up for the next local elections, people that give a sh1t about their communities and actually want to do something.

FloatingVoter

Yes, same bloody economic waffle from idiots who I wouldn't trust to run a bath. Norn Iron having a hissy fit and the media paying them attention. The Gathering......Republicans and Democrats not agreeing on black not being white. There, I've spared you all watching the news tonight.
It is good however to check if we're at war on occasions. I also read the obituaries to see if I'm dead.

Myrddin

Opposition election run up:

Promise promise promise. Talk talk talk. Grandstanding here grandstanding there. Attack the current government policies. Solutions everywhere, tackle this, stamp out that, proactive everything. Vote for us, we'll sort it out once & for all!

Opposition wins election:

Excuse excuse excuse. Backtrack here, ignore past promises there. Defend the indefensible, scripted answer over scripted answer. New opposition grows stronger pointing out new governments failure to live up to its promises. Current government says its all the past governments mess. This takes time to clear up. Suddenly the old government doesn't seem so bad!

Repeat ad infinitum.

I don't find politics boring, because there are examples of where it can & does make the difference. But in particular Irish politics, I find mind numbingly predictable. So much so in fact, it should be called Bollotics

gobnaitolunacy

Italian politics is way better, Mafia and bunga bunga parties!

Chuck Stone

I'm quite interested in geopolitics. It tends to cut through all the bull****.

Aquarius34

edanto wrote: »

The whole Dail set up is a disaster. They have almost no power at all, nothing they say or do has much of an influence on legislation which is written by (senior, well-off) civil servants and put under the Ministers chins to be read out during a sham 'debate'.

Our system is horribly dysfunctional. I'm hoping that loads of candidates will spring up for the next local elections, people that give a sh1t about their communities and actually want to do something.

The whole system is dysfunctional. Do you know what's the worse thing you can possibly do? it is to go out and vote for the system again. It's actually moronic if you think about it.

But as I said it's something you'd have to think about. The only problem is we keep trying to save this system that was never deigned to work.

woodoo

I love it. I found myself watching BBC Parliament channel on Saturday night there. A little bit worrying i know but i tend to watch a lot politics shows, current affairs and political satire.

edanto

The whole system is dysfunctional. Do you know what's the worse thing you can possibly do? it is to go out and vote for the system again. It's actually moronic if you think about it.

But as I said it's something you'd have to think about. The only problem is we keep trying to save this system that was never deigned to work.

Well, we differ on that one. And I do think about it.

Someone can choose to shout from the sidelines about how bad things are...but it's unlikely to change anything other than making them feel as it they've done something....and that's their right.

We're not quite as bad as the US (not quite as infected with corporatism), but we're a heck of a lot better than China. Or Mali. Or a hundred other countries.

I think the system was designed to work. I think our constitution is a great start. But that constitution was drafted in a time when people were much more aware of what it means to be independent, and there was a much greater engagement with politics.

Not that all was rosy... there is a lot about that time we should never go back to, but my point is that the writers of the constitution didn't expect to have to deal with a population sated by stayplations and happy meals. Apathy is a curse. Get involved or quit complaining.

If creative people like you end up getting elected, we might get some kind of electronic voting system where we could all have a say on legislation, where we could recall governments that break promises, where we could break down the walls of secrecy that shroud the civil dis-service. It's all possible, it just needs more hands and more brains.

Myrddin

edanto wrote: »

If creative people like you end up getting elected, we might get some kind of electronic voting system where we could all have a say on legislation, where we could recall governments that break promises, where we could break down the walls of secrecy that shroud the civil dis-service. It's all possible, it just needs more hands and more brains.

Its far too lucrative a career for that to be allowed to ever happen, & there's far too many wealthy corporate strings pulling things along for them to make room for the little people.

Aquarius34

edanto wrote: »

Well, we differ on that one. And I do think about it.

Someone can choose to shout from the sidelines about how bad things are...but it's unlikely to change anything other than making them feel as it they've done something....and that's their right.

We're not quite as bad as the US (not quite as infected with corporatism), but we're a heck of a lot better than China. Or Mali. Or a hundred other countries.

I think the system was designed to work. I think our constitution is a great start. But that constitution was drafted in a time when people were much more aware of what it means to be independent, and there was a much greater engagement with politics.

Not that all was rosy... there is a lot about that time we should never go back to, but my point is that the writers of the constitution didn't expect to have to deal with a population sated by stayplations and happy meals. Apathy is a curse. Get involved or quit complaining.

If creative people like you end up getting elected, we might get some kind of electronic voting system where we could all have a say on legislation, where we could recall governments that break promises, where we could break down the walls of secrecy that shroud the civil dis-service. It's all possible, it just needs more hands and more brains.

It will never change, if you vote. So you can disagree and argue till the cows come home. It's just simply not going to change anything. The system wants you to vote. It wants you to believe in it. It ****s with your head and life all long and even still every four years you will drag yourself to the polling station to vote again for the same system that ****s you over again and again.

AnonoBoy

Politics might not be boring but a conversation about how great a website is and telling your sister all about it sounds pretty boring to me.

Perhaps she just said she found politics boring to shut you up OP?

edanto

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIraCchPDhk

Aquarius34, I guess the video above isn't new to you, you sound like you've been thinking about and watching this stuff for a while. And, there is a truth in it. There's a guy on boards with a sig that says something like 'Politicians and nappies should be changed often and for the same reason'. There is a truth in it... but he's being satirical.

Here's my very simple proof that getting involved in the system can change things. It's more of a theory I suppose than any kind of proof...

(1) Our country grew out of a rebellion and chaos

(2) From that chaos, a political system emerged, and people got involved.

(3) That led us to where we are now

(4) So other people getting involved can lead us to a different place

Yes, there are obstacles. Yes, there is the interests of the wealthy to deal with, and damn it they look impossible to overwhelm. But there are ways.

At the moment, 1 in 5 voters say they will vote for Independents. What if that is 2 in 5 or 3/5 in the next election. Then, enough of those will probably join to form a party. Then we'll have an alternative.

The simple fact that we are in this situation, brought about by corrupts and incompetents, is in itself proof that the system can be altered by those involved. For good and for ill.

Don't let the b@stards get you down. Don't drink that apathy kool aid. Find someone in your local community that you believe in and badger them until they say they will stand for local elections. Or until the two of you agree to pick on someone else.

MadYaker

Irish politics is generally quite boring. US politics is very interesting though.

anncoates

Politics in a general sense is not boring, only the mechanics of a given political system where people have a hobbyist's - or worse, a vested or careerist - interest in the minutiae of a number of political parties that are usually virtually indistinguishable - and equally ineffectual - to the neutral.

Aquarius34

edanto wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIraCchPDhk

Aquarius34, I guess the video above isn't new to you, you sound like you've been thinking about and watching this stuff for a while. And, there is a truth in it. There's a guy on boards with a sig that says something like 'Politicians and nappies should be changed often and for the same reason'. There is a truth in it... but he's being satirical.

Here's my very simple proof that getting involved in the system can change things. It's more of a theory I suppose than any kind of proof...

(1) Our country grew out of a rebellion and chaos

(2) From that chaos, a political system emerged, and people got involved.

(3) That led us to where we are now

(4) So other people getting involved can lead us to a different place

Yes, there are obstacles. Yes, there is the interests of the wealthy to deal with, and damn it they look impossible to overwhelm. But there are ways.

At the moment, 1 in 5 voters say they will vote for Independents. What if that is 2 in 5 or 3/5 in the next election. Then, enough of those will probably join to form a party. Then we'll have an alternative.

The simple fact that we are in this situation, brought about by corrupts and incompetents, is in itself proof that the system can be altered by those involved. For good and for ill.

Don't let the b@stards get you down. Don't drink that apathy kool aid. Find someone in your local community that you believe in and badger them until they say they will stand for local elections. Or until the two of you agree to pick on someone else.

I've never voted. I never will. The only fact I need to know here is, I am not contributing to it. I am not advocating it. I am not responsible for it and I am sure in hell not going to save the system.

The only way it will change, is by letting things go. Work on yourself, speak out. make small changes. You don't have to save the world. You don't have to change things over night. Let the system collapse and just focus on your world. If everyone did that, the world would change quite easily. But we don't we are chasing our own tails trying to work through with this system.

Yes I have seen that video. I find George Carlin great. I didn't get the inspiration from him though. I've always been this way. I admire his way and courage though.

FlipperThePriest

I remember a time in my life when, almost overnight, a switch flipped and I was instantly interested in politics... I thought, f**k this must be maturity. At that point my childhood seem a far off distant memory. Sad.

My name is URL

"Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedies." - Groucho Marx

Aquarius34

It's also said that when a politician opens his mouth it's a lie. So why do people listen to them and shoot the prophets????

Call Me Jimmy

I find it pretty boring but I do tune in to about 1 minute of it a month. I can't engage with it knowing that every word a politician said is necessarily what the most amount of people want to here. If there was a bit more (political suicide) frankness even, not in terms of policy but in terms of 'rhetoric' I'd tune in a lot more as there would be things being said.

Agricola

Find myself in the strange position of finding it hugely tedious a lot of the time, but also being interested in it and compelled to talk about it. Everyone is more politicized nowadays though anyway.

Lapin

gobnaitolunacy wrote: »

Italian politics is way better, Mafia and bunga bunga parties!

Thats like saying the IRA make Irish politics attractive.

Call Me Jimmy

Lapin wrote: »

Thats like saying the IRA make Irish politics attractive.

Do they not? Check out the news all over the world (not the IRA but unionist equivalent).

Thomas20

I guess this is relevant
"Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you"

Pilotdude5

As a former Politics student..........yes it is.

Dave!

Yes I'm interested in politics/current affairs, and find those who aren't to be generally lazy and unimaginative when it comes to the topic. They usually say things like "all politicians are the same" or "it doesn't make a difference who I vote for", as though they could actually name a Councillor, TD or Senator, nevermind discussing their motives, policies, or the good they have/haven't done.

Dave!

Aquarius34 wrote: »

I've never voted. I never will. The only fact I need to know here is, I am not contributing to it. I am not advocating it. I am not responsible for it and I am sure in hell not going to save the system.

The only way it will change, is by letting things go. Work on yourself, speak out. make small changes. You don't have to save the world. You don't have to change things over night. Let the system collapse and just focus on your world. If everyone did that, the world would change quite easily. But we don't we are chasing our own tails trying to work through with this system.

Yes I have seen that video. I find George Carlin great. I didn't get the inspiration from him though. I've always been this way. I admire his way and courage though.

Or, you're allowing the system (which won't be changing any time soon, rest assured) to carry on without you. That means you're allowing others to choose your government, and by failing to participate you're responsible when a government that you really don't like gets in, because you didn't vote for the others.

Not inspired by the selection on offer? Nobody is. Disillusioned with the system as it currently is? Most people are. Fed up with the Civil War parties still running the country? Aren't we all.

If you think the answer is to bury your head in the sand and hope that a revolution will occur tomorrow and bring in some new (judging by your post, an undefined, vague) system, then you're mistaken. Participate and/or try to change it; doing nothing doesn't get you a pass.

BTW George Carlin was awesome, but talked a lot of sh*t too.

starlings

I like it when politics are boring. It's reassuring. An old curse - "may you live in interesting times."

G.K.

Damn well better not be, given that's what I'm going to be studying at Uni in half a year's time.

Aquarius34

Dave! wrote: »

Or, you're allowing the system (which won't be changing any time soon, rest assured) to carry on without you. That means you're allowing others to choose your government, and by failing to participate you're responsible when a government that you really don't like gets in, because you didn't vote for the others.

Not inspired by the selection on offer? Nobody is. Disillusioned with the system as it currently is? Most people are. Fed up with the Civil War parties still running the country? Aren't we all.

If you think the answer is to bury your head in the sand and hope that a revolution will occur tomorrow and bring in some new (judging by your post, an undefined, vague) system, then you're mistaken. Participate and/or try to change it; doing nothing doesn't get you a pass.

BTW George Carlin was awesome, but talked a lot of sh*t too.

No I carry on without them.
Oh god I could bang my head off the wall reading that post. No. You actually don't get it. Voting, KEEPS the government in, DOING the exact same thing over and over. It DOESN'T matter who you vote for, once you vote, you are lapping up to their game. Two sides to the one coin applies in this game. Two sides work together by giving the people the illusion they are against each other. People fall for it every four years continuously hoping for some change and YET every goddamn four years there is NO change. Why don't you get it? Why? Why don't people just get it already? It's not rocket science, they need our attention, they need our blood, they need our reaction, they need our hard working hours of sweat and blood so they can continue creating this corrupt system while we keep working and living to keep their system alive. We've done well for hundreds of years doing it for them. Now it's time to wake up.

George Carlin appeared to talk a lot of **** to you, because he actually made a lot of sense. He was years ahead of his time. I didn't agree with EVERYthing he said, but he hit the nail on the head everytime when it came to realism. There is such a lack of realism around here.

My name is URL

Dave! wrote: »

BTW George Carlin was awesome, but talked a lot of sh*t too.

It doesn't exactly bode well that more and more people take comedians seriously, yet view politics as a joke :pac: