|
Current Events Help understand the world by talking about things happening in it |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
09-17-2007, 05:14 PM | #76 |
Only looks like a disaster tourist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: above 7,000 feet
Posts: 7,208
|
rk - I have mixed feelings about this. I don't believe that a politician's job is to represent themselves, but rather to represent the citizens of their district and the interests of the nation.
However, it can't be denied that their professed beliefs do influence public thought, as most people rely on the statements and attitudes of others in determining their own opinions. This is human nature. (Anyone who is immune from the effects of public opinion is truly remarkable.) So the honest politician would say, "I'm voting to outlaw X because the people that I represent believe X is wrong, but I personally think X is great." But real politicians represent themselves as anti-X . They say, "I'm voting to outlaw X, and I personally believe that anyone who commits X should be punished." |
09-17-2007, 05:21 PM | #77 |
We have to go back, Kate!
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 25,964
|
Very few politicians could actually survive and succeed at their job if they didn't know when to separate their personal beliefs/opinions from the job of representing their constituents. But constituents vote politicians in based at least in part on the campaigns they've run and the opinions they have espoused as their own and their partys'.
Politicians are not just your voice in government, they are your eyes and ears. If they are dishonest then they will paint a dishonest and misleading picture of government for you. They do a lot more than merely vote the right way when it comes time. Their effect on the country comes from their words and their campaigns as much, sometimes more so, than their voting record. |
09-17-2007, 05:45 PM | #78 | |
Guest
Posts: n/a
|
Quote:
I don't know how I would feel about it. Have you ever interviewed a cop about his personal life when you needed him or her? Seems kinda' silly huh? As long as they are doing their job well that will be all you are concerned with. As long as your doctor is just a pedophile and not acting on it, you will never know will you? Did you ask your plumber what his stance on abortion was before they fixed your sink? |
|
09-17-2007, 05:46 PM | #79 | |
Guest
Posts: n/a
|
Quote:
You are putting those words in their mouth. What they are really saying is "this is what my constituents, and/or party, wanted me to vote for, so I did". If you read more into it than that, that is your choice. But, if they don't ACTUALLY say it, it does not exist... it is JUST a vote. |
|
09-17-2007, 05:48 PM | #80 | |
We have to go back, Kate!
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 25,964
|
Quote:
|
|
09-17-2007, 05:52 PM | #81 | |
We have to go back, Kate!
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 25,964
|
Quote:
|
|
09-17-2007, 05:53 PM | #82 |
Guest
Posts: n/a
|
My first statement is that those activities were illegal. They should not be allowed to do them.
Though it depends on your definition of "drug-dealer". |
09-17-2007, 06:04 PM | #83 |
Franklin Pierce
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 3,695
|
I'm with rkzenrage with this one. Ideally, a politician voting record reflects his or her personal views but it is unrealistic to expect them too since the system works against an honest politician.
Its just that a politician has to to realize that by being caught for lying will hurt their voting record. Do I like it? No, I hate it but what can ya do? |
09-17-2007, 06:09 PM | #84 |
We have to go back, Kate!
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 25,964
|
I would agree if their only role was that of voting.
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
|
|