Was there ever a time when you respected politicians?

[Un Pilier]

Was there ever a time when you respected politicians? And I don’t just mean your tribe. (Continued from elsewhere)

[ASMO]

Nope, occasional individuals maybe like Tony Benn, but collectively mostly a bunch of narcisistic, lying thieving cunts who's only purpose is to hold on to power for as long as possible.

[tabascoboy]

Before I became eligible to vote (late 70s), politicians seemed to be targets of fairly affectionate fun. It seemed possible to have some sort of understanding that even if we didn't agree with what they did we could believe they were acting in the general public interest (albeit with the long held political divisions). All that appears to have long gone out of the window and it's difficult not to have an entirely cynical view about them ( or maybe I just grew and wised-up? ).

Nonetheless there are still people around who seem to have nothing but admiration for their own MP at least but maybe only ones who voted for them? Best I can say about my MP is that he looks like a Mr Average and doesn't seem completely unlikable.

[tcc_dc]

As an American...I always liked how Reagan and Tip O'Neill worked together...

[Un Pilier]

Before I became eligible to vote (late 70s), politicians seemed to be targets of fairly affectionate fun. It seemed possible to have some sort of understanding that even if we didn't agree with what they did we could believe they were acting in the general public interest (albeit with the long held political divisions). All that appears to have long gone out of the window and it's difficult not to have an entirely cynical view about them ( or maybe I just grew and wised-up? ).

Nonetheless there are still people around who seem to have nothing but admiration for their own MP at least but maybe only ones who voted for them? Best I can say about my MP is that he looks like a Mr Average and doesn't seem completely unlikable.

Yeah, I pre-date you by a year or two but absolutely recognise what you say.

I have worked with lots of local and national politicians over the years. Some were inspirational and dedicated to their beliefs and convictions. Most were not. But now the power players are unelected “influencers”. Anti vax, anti this, anti that. This is new. This wasn’t a thing a few years ago.

[Slick]

I still do. The vast majority work incredibly hard and long hours and do it for the right reasons.

Some don’t

[Jock42]

The odd one or two individuals but as a rule I tend to instantly dislike them all.

I hate the nature of tribal politics, I don’t really understand how people can show loyalty to modern parties when there's very little between them.

[Un Pilier]

As an American...I always liked how Reagan and Tip O'Neill worked together...

The thing about Reagan, I have read, is that his views were so clear that all his team knew what he would think / want them to do about anything. A proper conviction politician - you knew where he stood like it or not.

[lemonhead]

As a whole, no. But feels like standards have dropped.

Did meet my local MP once, she seemed nice enough. Got voted out 3 months later.

[Line6 HXFX]

Of course, a lot of this "they are all the same", false equivalence nonsense we get now is just designed to keep the Tories in power forever.

We would be living in a far far better, gentler kinder world now if we elected Ed Milliband.

[Mr Tim Buktoo]

When they are in power they are all hated, no matter the good they do.
Its not untill a few years later you are shown the good/bad of what has been achieved or not.
Personally , i have been alot more impressed by former ministers etc when they are out of the job for a few years and they give more insightful interviews.
Playing politcs isnt easy, and if you can be popular while doing it then you have done well. I presume we are not including opposition politicians here. Easy respect those cunts with there magic money trees and fencesitting.

[Galtsdrift]

Ron Paul

[Zig]

Jed Bartlet was a great US President.

[Caley_Red]

It think there are a lot of decent ones out there but the proliferation of 'pop politicians' or the 'never-had-a-real-job-politician' is a real issue. There's also a strong under representation of people from math, engineering and science backgrounds and far too many MPs from London.
Also, the huge cohort of politicians who take their cue from frothing beacons of idiocy like twitter or facebook- pushes views to extreme binary positions on a lot of core issues.

[Hugo]

Naturally it tends to depend on their motivation for going into politics - if its to help better their constituents lives and be a genuine voice for those who society has marginalised and forgotten or for underprivileged kids, OAPs and sick people then I think politics is a noble calling.

If they are looking to obtain power for its own sake and to further their own ambitions then that is an entirely different proposition. These people are dangerous, they will flip flop, betray their allies and whatever principles they profess to have in order to obtain and retain power.

[assfly]

Politics in Kenya is a filthy game. In all my years living here, I haven't heard of one with an ounce of integrity. They go into politics purely for the money, and once in they steal, steal, steal.

[Un Pilier]

I still do. The vast majority work incredibly hard and long hours and do it for the right reasons.

Some don’t

Yes, I think that’s fair. When I said “most” were not I had in mind my reference to the few who were inspirational.

[Lemoentjie]

Erich Honecker, that's about it.

[Dogbert]

It think there are a lot of decent ones out there but the proliferation of 'pop politicians' or the 'never-had-a-real-job-politician' is a real issue. There's also a strong under representation of people from math, engineering and science backgrounds and far too many MPs from London.
Also, the huge cohort of politicians who take their cue from frothing beacons of idiocy like twitter or facebook- pushes views to extreme binary positions on a lot of core issues.

Like Ruth Davidson or Douglas Ross ?

[troglodyte]

99% of politicians give the rest a bad name.

[lilyw]

I still do. The vast majority work incredibly hard and long hours and do it for the right reasons.

Some don’t

I agree. They are by & large victims of the culture of cheap shots & ditch-hurling.

[Un Pilier]

I still do. The vast majority work incredibly hard and long hours and do it for the right reasons.

Some don’t

I agree. They are by & large victims of the culture of cheap shots & ditch-hurling.

It’s so easy to lob hand grenades from a position of anonymity. Face to face, eyeball to eyeball I believe most internet warriors would be reduced to jelly.

[Enzedder]

I live in a swing seat so politician visits are quite common. I have found every one to be very personable and approachable and easy to chat to.

I may not agree with the policies but at least they are happy to explain them (although the Why question seems to cause difficulty.)

[Jimmy Smallsteps]

I respect our Jacinda, I say I respect our Jacinda!

Didn't vote for her lot at the last election, but I will this time. Mostly due to her.

There are precious few else. Dan Andrews here in Victoria, I guess.

[MungoMan]

I respect our Jacinda, I say I respect our Jacinda!

Didn't vote for her lot at the last election, but I will this time. Mostly due to her.

There are previous few else. Dan Andrews here in Victoria, I guess.

And I’m guessing you meant ‘precious’ since I don’t think you were Vic to vote for Labor previously. (May be horribly wrong, tho’).

[Jimmy Smallsteps]

I respect our Jacinda, I say I respect our Jacinda!

Didn't vote for her lot at the last election, but I will this time. Mostly due to her.

There are precious few else. Dan Andrews here in Victoria, I guess.

And I’m guessing you meant ‘precious’ since I don’t think you were Vic to vote for Labor previously. (May be horribly wrong, tho’).

Correct! Edited in the previous post. And in this one since I can.

[Yeeb]

For at least a decade, I’ve found it easier to assume all politicians and beureucrats (whatever their location, colour of their tie, or organisation) to be lying useless self promoting bags of shit, until they prove otherwise. It is sad that I vote to keep someone out, rather than hand on heart saying I’m voting for who I believe will be good.

[Un Pilier]

For at least a decade, I’ve found it easier to assume all politicians and beureucrats (whatever their location, colour of their tie, or organisation) to be lying useless self promoting bags of shit, until they prove otherwise. It is sad that I vote to keep someone out, rather than hand on heart saying I’m voting for who I believe will be good.

Self-promoting bureaucrats? Is that a thing? Isn’t the usual complaint that they are faceless / anonymous etc. etc.?