By The Insider
The Insider is concerned that our political system is vulnerable to a significant shift in light of what is happening in other countries.
Brexit was a warning that certain indefinable forces are at play, and the Trump 2016 victory, and his 2020 vote, show political trends are moving in uncertain and unpredictable ways. A very narrow form of nationalism seems to be in the ascendant in many countries, and we must be careful that we don’t follow in their wayward footsteps.
Some may see that as a good thing. Indeed by definition, for it to happen, many would have to see it as a good thing. These developments have given Insider cause to ponder our own political situation, and what constitutes ‘Good’ and ‘Bad’ politics. The recent German election shows that the centre ground can hold, in spite of the malign influence of much social media, and the overall bias and incompetence of many in the more mainstream and traditional media.
Good politics
Solid politicians. ‘Solid’ is a hard word to define, yet when it comes to our description of people, we all know what it means. The number of solid politicians seems to have decreased significantly in recent years. In local terms, and to be fair to all concerned, Insider will avoid naming any present day politicians as he elaborates on his ‘good’ and ‘bad’ political definitions.
But, political life is changing, and public discourse has become louder and more aggressive (and less effective ), and Insider worries that the more old-fashioned, gentlemanly and ladylike conduct of our public affairs will suffer with the increasing cacophony. Insider hopes that our society does not pay too high a price if men and women of high calibre look at political life and decide that, with all its attendant hassle, it is just not worth it.
Telling the truth
Telling your electorate what they do not want to hear, but need to hear. Not just in politics, but in all walks of life, this is one of the most difficult things. Pointing out to people why they may be wrong, or that an alternative view needs to be considered. Politicians are so fearful of alienating anyone, that they often find it difficult to take a position on many issues.
Insider admires politicians who stand for something, even if he disagrees with them. Those who try to be all things to all men generally achieve very little. Many politicians have calculated that the fewer people they upset, the greater their chance of re-election, Sadly, this often proves to be the case. Not an easy one to solve, as the maturity of the electorate can often disappoint.
And definitely not confined to the political arena. When did you last tell a friend that maybe the teacher was correct, and their little Johnny is a pup. Or that maybe the boss was right, and they should have made more of an effort at work. Not too recently, I suspect. And the politicians know that their jobs often depend on offending as few people as possible.
Confront the mob. Again, not an easy one to do, but this is when we can tell the real leaders from the also rans. How many politicians have you heard explain that yes, the water system is a shambles, and we do need a dedicated utility to solve the problem. We are going to have to pay for it some way, and it is better if that way leads to a reduction in wastage of water and a more efficient system.
No, pay for it out of general taxation, the usual suspects argue, knowing that this way will lead to no payment from them. In other words, someone else will pay for it. As for the Covid bonus being paid to all public servants, have people lost their reason? Most public servants Insider knows spent most of the year at home, doing far less work than normal. In reality, they should be repaying the state most of their salary. Has the handout mentality gone too far?
Bad Politics
Populist politicians. The political system is now overrun with populist crowd pleasers, and sad to say, they are not being held to account by either the media or their political opponents. In national politics, a few of them have managed to get elected to the Dail. Usually seated on the opposition benches, they throw around accusations knowing that they can face no legal consequences when they are proven incorrect.
Insulting other members of the Dail (present and retired ), the judiciary, committed public servants; if a fraction of what they say proves to be correct, they will dine out on this for months. They quickly forget all the issues on which they have made false accusations. and hope the electorate will also move on quickly. Insider once considered them comical, but the good people of their constituencies have returned some of them for another Dail term.
The wisdom and sophistication of the electorate…Insider wonders sometimes. What Insider would give for a Paddy Cooney or a Patrick Lenihan in today’s political world.What do you vote for? Good or bad politics?
