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Are you suffering from "politics" fatigue???

post #1 of 19
1/15/07 at 9:41am
Thread Starter 
I was thinking the other day that I have really cut down on e-mailing politicians, engaging in friendly debates on political message boards, and just reading about politics or watching political shows. We just had the mid-term elections, and Im so over that. But already the barking and ugliness has begun by both sides on the 2008 election.

I have come to really believe lately that unless you have a ton of cash to give to a politician, all you get is lip service. I wrote my State Senator 6 months ago, and just got their form letter response last week. Whoopeee!!!!!!

And it seems that instead of civil intelligent debate, we get sniping, "gotcha" sound bites, hypocracy, and empty "tell them what they want to hear" promises.

Our politicians seem only to care about their next election. The Halls of Congress are filled with corrupt politicians, lobbyists (many corrupt), politicians working two days a week for $170,000 a year, politicians taking trips to Africa, Mexico, Japan, Buenos Aries for "fact finding" missions (yeah right) all paid by private interests. Our politicians vote themselves $100,000+ pensions for serving a couple of terms, nearly 4 times what private companies give their 30-year employees; that is if you can find a private company giving out pensions any more.

I guess I am thoroughly sick of these hogs filling themselves at the public trough, hiring family members for "do nothing" jobs at $100 grand and higher a year. There might be 5 members of Congress that I truly believe do what they do out of a true desire for public service.

I guess Im politicked out. I'm starting not to care, and as involved as I am in keeping up with the issues of the day, that is scary to me.
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post #2 of 19
1/15/07 at 10:16am
Yes, I am too. I used to listen to talk radio almost all day at work. Now I can't stand to listen to it.

The politicians will say anything to get elected or re-elected, and when it comes down to it they are more interested in the special interest and pandering to the extremes of the party than to the majority of moderate Americans.

Even debate amongst people who normally get along quite well can turn ugly in a split second because the parties are both moving further and further apart, and presenting the issues in terms of black and white instead of the true shades of grey.

So yes, I'm just not paying attention as much as I used to or should right now.
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post #3 of 19
1/15/07 at 10:32am
I have the same feeling about politics here in Canada as well, I don't keep up to date with it anymore.
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post #4 of 19
1/15/07 at 10:46am
Yes! A big part of it is that we "just" got through the mid-term elections, and people are already posturing and/or campaigning for 2008. Wasn't Kennedy the last person who ran from the Senate, and actually won?
The EU isn't any better. Germany currently holds the (rotating) presidency, and is pushing a totally ill-advised European Constitution, already rejected by France and the Netherlands, which is going to take even more powers away from the national governments. Our taxes not only have to pay for local and national politicians, but also those in Brussels and Strasbourg. There are far too many of them lining their pockets!!!
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post #5 of 19
1/15/07 at 12:46pm
Same here...I stopped posting in the Bush threads a few days ago because IMO I'M SICK of it.

So he's not our best president...get on with our lives and let's get over it and look to who will be our next.
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post #6 of 19
1/15/07 at 1:17pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jcat View Post
Yes! A big part of it is that we "just" got through the mid-term elections, and people are already posturing and/or campaigning for 2008. Wasn't Kennedy the last person who ran from the Senate, and actually won?
The EU isn't any better. Germany currently holds the (rotating) presidency, and is pushing a totally ill-advised European Constitution, already rejected by France and the Netherlands, which is going to take even more powers away from the national governments. Our taxes not only have to pay for local and national politicians, but also those in Brussels and Strasbourg. There are far too many of them lining their pockets!!!
Sounds like you are from Germany Jcat? I am curious about the European Constitution, and admittedly dont know enough about it. Is this akin to making Europe controlled by a central document, or a central authority? I am wondering why any Nation would agree to give up such a large part of their sovereignty in that way, or is it not viewed in that light? And now as you said you are financing other "foreign" politicians. And if most nations adopt it, what of nations such as France and the Netherlands that don't? Do they suffer any consequences of some sort? Just curious. Thx.
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post #7 of 19
1/15/07 at 1:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sbw999 View Post
Sounds like you are from Germany Jcat? I am curious about the European Constitution, and admittedly don't know enough about it. Is this akin to making Europe controlled by a central document, or a central authority? I am wondering why any Nation would agree to give up such a large part of their sovereignty in that way, or is it not viewed in that light? And now as you said you are financing other "foreign" politicians. And if most nations adopt it, what of nations such as France and the Netherlands that don't? Do they suffer any consequences of some sort? Just curious. Thx.
I was born and raised in the U.S. (PA), and am a U.S. citizen, but have been married to a German citizen of Hungarian descent for over 26 years, and have lived in Germany for a little over half my life. I do spend about a month a year in the U.S., where my family lives, and vote in U.S. elections.
The whole idea of the European Union has evolved since its foundation in 1957, with the Treaty of Rome. Originally, it was an economic/free trade union, similar to today's NAFTA, but the original member states were so paranoid after WW II that they wanted a closer political union, in order to prevent any repeats. There have always been some member states who have supported a confederation, with the individual member states retaining most executive powers, and some advocating a federation, with most powers being given to a strong central government. The proposed European Constitution would allow the EU powers that be in Brussels and Strasbourg to more or less dictate policies in the member states.
How can I put it? In the U.S., you have to worry about local, state and federal politicians. The way the EU is set up, you're under the control of local, state, national, and international politicians! It's pure overkill, and at this point, most of the laws passed by national legislatures are more or less dictated by the EU.
There are many elements of the EU that I find positive, e.g., a common currency in most of the member countries (the euro), no import duties, no need for work permits as long as you are a citizen of a member country, but there just seem to be too many controls and controllers!
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post #8 of 19
1/15/07 at 4:29pm
I despise politicians (lawyers irk me too). I'd say feed them to the sharks but that would be too cruel...to the sharks.

The politicians (see: felons) are only concerned about who is going to line their pocket and fatten their bank account (special interest). When the last time they actually did something useful for the good of the entire country?
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post #9 of 19
1/15/07 at 6:23pm
I work in politics so have little choice but keep up to date (and because of that largely stay away from political threads, as it is sometimes hard to remember what you know from the papers and other sources, and sometimes I just have political overload)
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post #10 of 19
1/15/07 at 6:29pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jcat View Post
I was born and raised in the U.S. (PA), and am a U.S. citizen, but have been married to a German citizen of Hungarian descent for over 26 years, and have lived in Germany for a little over half my life. I do spend about a month a year in the U.S., where my family lives, and vote in U.S. elections.
The whole idea of the European Union has evolved since its foundation in 1957, with the Treaty of Rome. Originally, it was an economic/free trade union, similar to today's NAFTA, but the original member states were so paranoid after WW II that they wanted a closer political union, in order to prevent any repeats. There have always been some member states who have supported a confederation, with the individual member states retaining most executive powers, and some advocating a federation, with most powers being given to a strong central government. The proposed European Constitution would allow the EU powers that be in Brussels and Strasbourg to more or less dictate policies in the member states.
How can I put it? In the U.S., you have to worry about local, state and federal politicians. The way the EU is set up, you're under the control of local, state, national, and international politicians! It's pure overkill, and at this point, most of the laws passed by national legislatures are more or less dictated by the EU.
There are many elements of the EU that I find positive, e.g., a common currency in most of the member countries (the euro), no import duties, no need for work permits as long as you are a citizen of a member country, but there just seem to be too many controls and controllers!
Interesting, and I appreciate the info
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post #11 of 19
1/15/07 at 8:18pm
Yep - I dont bother reading anything political anymore - last year there was so much political crap going on here in NZ and I just got really tired of it that I don't pay any attention to it anymore - I don't even know what is going on anymore, and nor do I care.
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post #12 of 19
1/16/07 at 1:22am
I am SO with you all...and it's not just politics.

I guess it's one of the advantages (or not) of growing older - is that you become more aware, not just politically, but in every sense.

Going to see Casino Royale a few weeks ago was the first time in as long as I can remember where I sat back for two hours and just forgot - completely forgot - about the world and everything in it. War, famine, AIDS, poverty, animal cruelty, global warming - it's with me every second of every day in some regard.

I was saying to Max the other night that I don't think I'll ever be truly, blissfully happy again, because once you become `aware' you can never forget that for all the wonderful things in the world, there's a whole lot of horrible out there, too.

Sometimes I think it would be nice to be able to forget about everything I know and have learned, forget about the world for a few hours and just be carefree for a while.
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post #13 of 19
1/16/07 at 2:12am
I used to really follow politics but I don't anymore. There isn't any difference between parties, once someone gets into office they become like everyone else in office. There is too much money floating around in politics now. All that money makes the constant campaigning possible. We used to get a break between elections but not anymore. People in office spend more time raising money, campaigning, and networking with the people and groups that can give them money for campaigning then doing what they were elected to do.
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post #14 of 19
1/16/07 at 3:05am
I still say that they need to have term limits for members of congress. If the president can only serve two four year terms then why should some of these jokers get to serve (I use that word very loosely) over and over again? Many of which get elected so often that they end up serving what amounts to be a life time. Change and fresh ideas would be a good thing for the country, IMO.
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post #15 of 19
1/16/07 at 8:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by KitEKats4Eva! View Post
I am SO with you all...and it's not just politics.

I guess it's one of the advantages (or not) of growing older - is that you become more aware, not just politically, but in every sense.

Going to see Casino Royale a few weeks ago was the first time in as long as I can remember where I sat back for two hours and just forgot - completely forgot - about the world and everything in it. War, famine, AIDS, poverty, animal cruelty, global warming - it's with me every second of every day in some regard.

I was saying to Max the other night that I don't think I'll ever be truly, blissfully happy again, because once you become `aware' you can never forget that for all the wonderful things in the world, there's a whole lot of horrible out there, too.

Sometimes I think it would be nice to be able to forget about everything I know and have learned, forget about the world for a few hours and just be carefree for a while.
I agree with you totally Sarah. There has been many a tear filled day when I wish I could forget too! Or just not take it so seriously like many of the people I know (who think I'm psycho).
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post #16 of 19
1/16/07 at 10:37am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Essayons89 View Post
I still say that they need to have term limits for members of congress. If the president can only serve two four year terms then why should some of these jokers get to serve (I use that word very loosely) over and over again? Many of which get elected so often that they end up serving what amounts to be a life time. Change and fresh ideas would be a good thing for the country, IMO.
Amen to that!!!!!
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post #17 of 19
1/16/07 at 10:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Essayons89 View Post
I still say that they need to have term limits for members of congress. If the president can only serve two four year terms then why should some of these jokers get to serve (I use that word very loosely) over and over again? Many of which get elected so often that they end up serving what amounts to be a life time. Change and fresh ideas would be a good thing for the country, IMO.
I wish the prime minister would be limited to two terms here in NZ - she has been the PM for a long time but now, I think it is time for a change. Here, one can run as many times for the Prime Minister position.
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post #18 of 19
1/16/07 at 11:36am
On the EU thing, a fascist, homophobic, anti semitic and just all round nasty party has just been granted official recognition from the EU because they have at least 20 members and this means they get a PILE of money.
One of their supporters is mussolinis granddaughter who said 'i'd rather be a fascist than a faggot'
What is this world coming to
http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/article2157360.ece
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post #19 of 19
1/16/07 at 12:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cata_mint View Post
On the EU thing, a fascist, homophobic, anti semitic and just all round nasty party has just been granted official recognition from the EU because they have at least 20 members and this means they get a PILE of money.
One of their supporters is mussolinis granddaughter who said 'i'd rather be a fascist than a faggot'
What is this world coming to
http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/article2157360.ece
Is there an option to withdraw from the EU? That is just absolutely disgusting, and I'm sure that the fact that Romania has "contributed" members to that party is going to cause trouble, as the country has only been a member for 16 days!
Poland is also pushing for Belarus to be accepted as a member!!! Just what we need, a dictatorship.
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