“It is inexcusable for scientists to torture animals; let them make their experiments on journalists and politicians.”
Henrik Ibsen
Yeah! I am all for it But I would not go as far as Henrik.
Let’s experiment with the politicians but spare (some) journalists (for the time being).
Let’s first start by making a distinction between a politician and a politico.
A politician “is a person who is professionally involved in politics, especially as a holder of or a candidate for an elected office.”
A politico (derogative term) is “a person who uses public office to advance personal or partisan interests.”
Both species are slightly different, but they generally look well fed, well dressed and instinctively know which side of their bread is buttered.
I started to pay closer attention to these “gentlemen” (chivalrous, courteous, honorable men) after watching two television series: one American (originally British) the other one French.
The American series is called House of cards and is set in present-day Washington, D.C.
The French series, Les hommes de l’ombre (the shadow men) is set in present-day Paris.
Both series have different storylines but basically deal with the ruthlessness and the unscrupulousness of elected officials.
In both series, they will do anything (including murder) to win an election.
Most western nations are democracies. “A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, through elected representatives.”
Fine and dandy. But I have a bone to pick with democracy.
It is basically a good but flawed idea.
Generally speaking we know too little about the people running for office to make a good choice.
Every candidate should be thoroughly scrutinized (lie detector) and his or her record should be made widely available to the public prior an election, warts and all.
For many politicians have secret lives and the shadowy war before an election is mainly about finding out and exploiting the opponent’s Achilles heel.
Is he/she a secret bigot, a closet homosexual, a pedophile, a wife-beater?
Bestiality maybe… Really?
Praise the Lord we got him!
As George Bernard Shaw put it “If you can’t get rid of the skeleton in your closet, you’d best teach it to dance.”
Many politicians are merely gunslingers (obstructionists) paid to derail or undermine a project.
By the way, (in case you didn’t know) professional writers pen all the candidates’ speeches and all their moves are controlled by “consultants”.
So where is the “genuine article” under that charade?
Unfortunately we only find out after these guys have been inducted.
Too late! We will have to bear with this guy for another four or five years, or forever (in the case of Tsar Putin the Small).
In conclusion:
“The majority of the members of the Irish parliament (or American Congress) are professional politicians, in the sense that otherwise they would not be given jobs minding mice at crossroads.”
Flann O’Brien
I didn’t say that. Flann did, but I am inclined to agree.
Vote for me! I love you!
Alain