Am I the only one...

wretcheddomain

...that can't understand this:

If I want to be an airline pilot, I need to train hard and complete the appropriate exams to ground theory and air law.

If I want to be a medical doctor, I need my primary degree in Medicine and relevant experience.

If I want to be a HGV driver, I need to have the relevant license to drive one.

But...

If I want to run a country, I'm already fully qualified but just need to be nice to a few thousand people for them to trust me to do so.

In other words, this is the only job in the world which requires no qualifications (in terms of responsibility) and it's the most important job in terms of responsibility.

My suggestions?

Anyone who wants to be a TD should have an honours degree in a relevant discipline, as well as pass a series of gruelling exams in economics and other relevant disciplines.

Abolish any party whip system and abolish the concept of party politics.

Impose a fixed wage of €30,000 maximum.

Give more power to the Senate to act as a check amongst other important new roles and functions.

Running a country should not be up to the people voting in whoever they like - the candidates should be well educated and show they can somewhat manage.

Popular vote for any random candidate fails and we realise this every second we see dregs such as Mick Wallace parading around the Dáil.

The floor is now open to AH.

Annasopra

Why should a politician be university educated? To me that is elitism and false assumption that university educated = competent

wazky

Have public phone in contest, like the X Factor.

wretcheddomain

mango salsa wrote: »

Why should a politician be university educated? To me that is elitism and false assumption that university educated = competent

Because by not imposing restrictions, any old fool can enter the Dáil.

It may be elitism but the bloody job description is 'running a country'. You wouldn't say it's elitism about any other job though would you?

thecatspjs

mango salsa wrote: »

Why should a politician be university educated? To me that is elitism and false assumption that university educated = competent

Like those damn university educated elitist doctors.

lkionm

wretcheddomain wrote: »

Because by not imposing restrictions, any old fool can enter the Dáil.

It may be elitism but the bloody job description is 'running a country'. You wouldn't say it's elitism about any other job though would you?

Ill enter you if you dont stop it with that idea.

Meauldsegosha

wretcheddomain wrote: »

...that can't understand this:

If I want to be an airline pilot, I need to train hard and complete the appropriate exams to ground theory and air law.

If I want to be a medical doctor, I need my primary degree in Medicine and relevant experience.

If I want to be a HGV driver, I need to have the relevant license to drive one.

But...

If I want to run a country, I'm already fully qualified but just need to be nice to a few thousand people for them to trust me to do so.

In other words, this is the only job in the world which requires no qualifications (in terms of responsibility) and it's the most important job in terms of responsibility.

My suggestions?

Anyone who wants to be a TD should have an honours degree in a relevant discipline, as well as pass a series of gruelling exams in economics and other relevant disciplines.

Abolish any party whip system and abolish the concept of party politics.

Impose a fixed wage of €30,000 maximum.

Give more power to the Senate to act as a check amongst other important new roles and functions.

Running a country should not be up to the people voting in whoever they like - the candidates should be well educated and show they can somewhat manage.

Popular vote for any random candidate fails and we realise this every second we see dregs such as Mick Wallace parading around the Dáil.

The floor is now open to AH.

What would you consider a relevant discipline?

Yellowblackbird

The relevant qualification that politicians don't have is that they have no track record of competently and successfully running private organisations - business.

College courses?! rote learning what you're told is coming up in the exam.

Nodin

wretcheddomain wrote: »

...that can't understand this:

If I want to be an airline pilot, I need to train hard and complete the appropriate exams to ground theory and air law.

If I want to be a medical doctor, I need my primary degree in Medicine and relevant experience.

If I want to be a HGV driver, I need to have the relevant license to drive one.

But...

If I want to run a country, I'm already fully qualified but just need to be nice to a few thousand people for them to trust me to do so.

In other words, this is the only job in the world which requires no qualifications (in terms of responsibility) and it's the most important job in terms of responsibility.

My suggestions?

Anyone who wants to be a TD should have an honours degree in a relevant discipline, as well as pass a series of gruelling exams in economics and other relevant disciplines.

Abolish any party whip system and abolish the concept of party politics.

Impose a fixed wage of €30,000 maximum.

Give more power to the Senate to act as a check amongst other important new roles and functions.

Running a country should not be up to the people voting in whoever they like - the candidates should be well educated and show they can somewhat manage.

Popular vote for any random candidate fails and we realise this every second we see dregs such as Mick Wallace parading around the Dáil.

The floor is now open to AH.

This comes up now and again. To cut to the quick, one of the most qualified - if not the most - leaders we ever had was Charles J Haughey, chartered accountant, qualified lawyer with a 1st class honours degree in commerce.

Sam Kade

As said on here before a taoiseach should be appointed rather than elected.

Karl Stein

wretcheddomain wrote: »

Because by not imposing restrictions, any old fool can enter the Dáil.

George Bush went to university.

notnumber

wretcheddomain wrote: »

...



Running a country should not be up to the people voting in whoever they like -

Its called democracy.If people think a goat would do a good job well then that goat gets elected .

brandon_flowers

Maybe educate the masses that vote in these people first.

A fixed salary of 30k is hardly going to motivate the cream of the crop to attain your rigorous educational/training standards. That is a ridiculously low maximum salary.

thecatspjs

notnumber wrote: »

Its called democracy.If people think a goat would do a good job well then that goat gets elected .

Vote for Goat #1

Elbaston

Well if you can get that system put in place through a popular vote then maybe yes.

Exams - fair enough, they have to pass one set up to test their ability to hold the job.

But no university qualifications needed.

A bit like you can pass the bar without having to have gone to uni.

Also gladiators type physical tests. Podiums and the like.

Sir Humphrey Appleby

wretcheddomain wrote: »

...that can't understand this:

If I want to be an airline pilot, I need to train hard and complete the appropriate exams to ground theory and air law.

If I want to be a medical doctor, I need my primary degree in Medicine and relevant experience.

If I want to be a HGV driver, I need to have the relevant license to drive one.

But...

If I want to run a country, I'm already fully qualified but just need to be nice to a few thousand people for them to trust me to do so.

In other words, this is the only job in the world which requires no qualifications (in terms of responsibility) and it's the most important job in terms of responsibility.

My suggestions?

Anyone who wants to be a TD should have an honours degree in a relevant discipline, as well as pass a series of gruelling exams in economics and other relevant disciplines.

Abolish any party whip system and abolish the concept of party politics.

Impose a fixed wage of €30,000 maximum.

Give more power to the Senate to act as a check amongst other important new roles and functions.

Running a country should not be up to the people voting in whoever they like - the candidates should be well educated and show they can somewhat manage.

Popular vote for any random candidate fails and we realise this every second we see dregs such as Mick Wallace parading around the Dáil.

The floor is now open to AH.

So you want to ensure that only the rich and elite can obtain political office.
Take a hike!:mad:

Nodin

Elbaston wrote: »

Well if you can get that system put in place through a popular vote then maybe yes.

Exams - fair enough, they have to pass one set up to test their ability to hold the job.

But no university qualifications needed.

A bit like you can pass the bar without having to have gone to uni.

Also gladiators type physical tests. Podiums and the like.

....with that bit of music from Star Trek.

wretcheddomain

Candie wrote: »

A fixed salary of 30k is hardly going to motivate the cream of the crop to attain your rigorous educational standard. That is a ridiculously low maximum salary.

People who are motivated to commit to change in their country would be happy not to rip off the State.

Regarding the cheap reference to George Bush - he was a bit wacky alright but judging from his educational history, I don't believe he was as 'stupid' as he led us to believe.

kneemos

How much "running of the country"doTD's actually do?Civil servants do the day to day running,advisors provide the know how and the EU decide the fiscal policy.TDs are mere front men and women as far as I can see.

RobbingBandit

Bertie has serious educational qualifications, so does Richard Boyd Barrett, so did Charlie as seen above, Gerry Adams passed his O levels, Mick Wallace graduated from UCD with a degree in English and History he even went on to get a teaching degree, education means squat if you are a corrupt fcuker, or in some cases dumb as ****e.

Stereomaniac

Vote in my cat, Yuko #1. She is sick but she still keeps fighting. She can come through good.

Jimoslimos

wretcheddomain wrote: »

Abolish any party whip system and abolish the concept of party politics.

...

Popular vote for any random candidate fails and we realise this every second we see dregs such as Mick Wallace parading around the Dáil.

If you abolish the party whip completely you make it more attractive for politicians to chase the popular vote with no repercussions.

wretcheddomain wrote: »

Running a country should not be up to the people voting in whoever they like - the candidates should be well educated and show they can somewhat manage.

Good management skills aren't necessarily about micro-managing every tiny detail (or even having in depth technical knowledge) - it's about enabling others to do their jobs well.

Karl Stein

The type of people attracted to power are often egotistical, narcissistic and venal.

wretcheddomain

kneemos wrote: »

How much "running of the country"doTD's actually do?Civil servants do the day to day running,advisors provide the know how and the EU decide the fiscal policy.TDs are mere front men and women as far as I can see.

It's quite amazing how people turn to running the country as politics.

The point is it shouldn't be politics.

Job: TD/Potential Taoiseach
Job Description: Running the country
Qualifications: None

How come this doesn't strike people as farcical? Running and hiding behind the 'democracy' banner fails. The country is akin to a business, only more complicated, and like any job, you should need to have qualifications.

Aineoil

I'm voting for the goat too. She's called Lucinda.

RustyNut

Cathal Cloch wrote: »

George Bush went to university.

But he spent most of his time out of his head on coke pot and JD.

Karl Stein

RustyNut wrote: »

But he spent most of his time out of his head on coke pot and JD.

And still ended up as 'leader of the free world'.

Aineoil

Cathal Cloch wrote: »

The type of people attracted to power are often egotistical, narcissistic and venal.

I thought they wanted to change the world.:D
Who knew? I know I need to get out more often.

Aineoil

Cathal Cloch wrote: »

And still ended up as 'leader of the free world'.

It's obvious, we all need more pot to be a success:D

krudler

"Hello and welcome to the 25th annual Dail Hunger Games!!"

wretcheddomain

You guys are still missing the point.

I did say in my original post that the concept of party politics should be abolished.

No one running under 'Fianna Fail' or 'Fine Gael', or 'Republican'.

The country should be run by divisions and not by parties.

My No.1 goes to

Ms Lucinda Goat

canny jock stewart

RobbingBandit wrote: »

Bertie has serious educational qualifications, so does Richard Boyd Barrett, so did Charlie as seen above, Gerry Adams passed his O levels, Mick Wallace graduated from UCD with a degree in English and History he even went on to get a teaching degree, education means squat if you are a corrupt fcuker, or in some cases dumb as ****e.

Did he??

He received his third level education at the College of Commerce, Rathmines, part of the Dublin Institute of Technology. Ahern has claimed or it has been claimed by others in circulated biographies that he was educated at University College Dublin and the London School of Economics but neither university has any records that show Ahern was ever one of their students.

He worked in the Accounts Department of the Mater Hospital, Dublin but though a self-described accountant, as in a TV interview with Bryan Dobson in 2006[10] and radio interviews during May 2008 with George Hook and on his party's website,[11] he never qualified as a member of any accountants' association.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bertie_Ahern

wazky

Have a drinking competition for the various ministerial positions.

Oh wait, isn't there enough of that already in the Dail?

wretcheddomain

Richard Boyd Barrett only has a masters degree in English literature - interpreting poetry and writing reviews of novella's is totally irrelevant to running the country and under my system he'd be reprehensibly underqualified.

RobbingBandit

canny jock stewart wrote: »

Did he??







http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bertie_Ahern

This is Bertie we are talking about, the man is guilty of treason for the ****e he pulled, wouldn't be surprised if he didn't go to any of those places, that's some good snooping there Lou, you'll make Sargent for this.;)

Karl Stein

wretcheddomain wrote: »

You guys are still missing the point.

Hey, who elected you as boss of boards?

Why should we listen to you?

What are your credentials?

Where does your mandate come from?

donegal_road

Meauldsegosha wrote: »

What would you consider a relevant discipline?

a degree in Political Science wouldn't be a bad start.

And for the minister for finance, a degree in commerce should be entry level requirement. They might not have to call round to David McWilliams

(while Im on the subject, why isn't Peter Mathews the minister for finance? Is he not the most qualified and experienced in FG?)

Jimmy Garlic

Two tests that wouldn't go amiss - 1, An IQ test. 2, A psychopathy test.

kneemos

wretcheddomain wrote: »

You guys are still missing the point.

I did say in my original post that the concept of party politics should be abolished.

No one running under 'Fianna Fail' or 'Fine Gael', or 'Republican'.

The country should be run by divisions and not by parties.

Who picks the people to run the divisions?suppose they are doing a piss poor job who gets rid of them and who decides what's the right policy?

RustyNut

Aineoil wrote: »

I'm voting for the goat too. She's called Lucinda.

I knew a Lucinda once but she was a fox. She was very good with elections, and she was Japanese.

JustAddWater

mango salsa wrote: »

Why should a politician be university educated? To me that is elitism and false assumption that university educated = competent

If I want the creme de la creme of jobs in my profession, I need a degree. That's not elitism

wretcheddomain

kneemos wrote: »

Who picks the people to run the divisions?suppose they are doing a piss poor job who gets rid of them and who decides what's the right policy?

Within say the Economic Division of 50 relative experts - given that every member will already have been appropriately educated in economics, preferably almost equal - the roles automatically rotate at random.

This isn't a perfect model but any version akin to this is much more satisfying than having some goon called the Minister for Finance in some washed up Party who only got elected because of being in the Party rather than what individual expert difference the person could make.

Given that most of the TD's at the moment do nothing at all - by abolishing the current system and installing divisions ensures that every member can make a difference depending on which division he or she managed to get into.

bnt

wretcheddomain wrote: »

If I want to run a country, I'm already fully qualified but just need to be nice to a few thousand people for them to trust me to do so.

Elected politicians don't actually run a country. That's what a qualified but un-elected Civil Service does.

wretcheddomain

I'm still waiting for people to justify why we should accept that the most important job in the country should require no qualifications.

People can criticise, mock, jeer my suggestions all they want, but if they can't justify the current system then they should either come up with a solution to it itself or don't bother trying.

wretcheddomain

bnt wrote: »

Elected politicians don't actually run a country. That's what a qualified but un-elected Civil Service does.

When I refer to elected politicians, I'm chiefly referring to those in positions of power such as Ministers etc. We all know the other lot are just screaming dogs with no power.

In my system, every member of the parliament has power with no meddling party politics or cheap bickering across a chamber.

catallus

It seems to have been mentioned on thread already but the position you are describing as being necessary to have advanced qualifications for seems to be that of a civil servant, not an elected representative.

kneemos

wretcheddomain wrote: »

Within say the Economic Division of 50 relative experts - given that every member will already have been appropriately educated in economics, preferably almost equal - the roles automatically rotate at random.

This isn't a perfect model but any version akin to this is much more satisfying than having some goon called the Minister for Finance in some washed up Party who only got elected because of being in the Party rather than what individual expert difference the person could make.

Given that most of the TD's at the moment do nothing at all - by abolishing the current system and installing divisions ensures that every member can make a difference depending on which division he or she managed to get into.

It would certainly take away the self interest and cute whoreism.What about local issues such as a road repair?

Annasopra

Yellowblackbird wrote: »

The relevant qualification that politicians don't have is that they have no track record of competently and successfully running private organisations - business.

College courses?! rote learning what you're told is coming up in the exam.

The country isn't a business and shouldn't be run like one!

Annasopra

JustAddWater wrote: »

If I want the creme de la creme of jobs in my profession, I need a degree. That's not elitism

It is. It's about restricting politics to so called professionals.

It's absolute nonsense.

I'd rather have early school leaver Nye Bevan as Minister for Health anyday than Dr James Reilly

Having a University Degree does not necessarily make a person a competent politician.