Political jokes - threat to democracy?

[Silur]

There's been a lot of hilarious jokes about GW Bush and the US political system, and I wish I could remember half, or even one of all the jokes about European politicians and the EU. I personally have a general distaste for politicians and their affairs, but the fact that this sentiment is becoming more common and that less people choose to vote in elections could be a threat to western democracy.

A few points that at least I find disturbing:

* Few government heads have a majority support. GWB has the active support of slightly more than 25% of the US population and many other countries aren't that much better.

* No one believes in anything promised in an election campaign, so votes aren't really about issues anymore.

* Anyone can be voted <government head title of choice>, but it helps if you have a couple of extra million$ to spare.

* Polls in different European countries have shown that the general public's trust in politicians is diminishing significantly.


What do you think of the state of our democracies and/or politicians? Should we invent a new political system?

[nael]

if you have a better system, let's hear it. my choice would just be for me to lead a fundamentalist government in my name...=)


well, due to the extreme closeness of the US's last election, i imagine our next one will have MUCH higher voter turnout

[Silur]

Quote:

Originally posted by nael: <STRONG>well, due to the extreme closeness of the US's last election, i imagine our next one will have MUCH higher voter turnout</STRONG>

Why is that?

[nael]

well, it literally came down to just dozens of votes in some states, nto just the florida thing.
it should scare people enough to realize that they need to get out and vote, and it hsould make people realize that their vote does in fact count.

[Aegis]

We should go back to the voting method that was fondly refered to as "Regicide"

[Azeroth]

Just think, we could go back 600 years and the church would be the government, now wouldn't that be nice. And on top of it we could have religious wars too.

[Aegis]

Alright! Got my Witch burning tools.. Just point me in the direction...

[Azeroth]

Over there *point towards Fable* He knows far to much, therefore he must be the spawn of satan himself.

[Aegis]

First, we shall find out if he is a witch by subjecting him to a test...

"Now tell me, If we are to burn him, how will we know if he is a witch..."

Peasant: "We'll burn him!"

"Ahh, but what else burns?"

PEasant: "Uhh... Wood! Wood burns!"

"Correct, wood does burn, but then, so does cloth. What else does wood do?"

Peasant: "Umm... It floats! Yes! It floats!"

"True enough, but wood isn't the only thing that floats, what else floats?"

Peasant: "Umm... Really small rocks!"

King: "A duck...."

*Points to the king*

"Correct. Therefore, if we throw Fable in the water, and he floats, therefore he is a duck, and thus made of wood, therefore he will burn, thus making him, a what?"

Peasant: "Flamable?"

"A Witch!"

*Grabs Fable, and tosses him in the lake, where he procedes to float*

[Azeroth]

Now he won't burn because he's wet.
Damn you Aegis, damn you to hell!
You're a witch aren't you Aegis? You are I see it in your eyes!

[Aegis]

*Shifts eye from side to side*

Uh... What makes you say that?"

*Looks for an escape route*

He can still burn... Just let him dry...

(Soon, my most formidable foe shall be disposed off, and I may be rid of these wrecthed simians...)

Yes, let him dry!

[Azeroth]

And let him dry we shall but it will be over your burning body Aegis!

[Xandax]

@Aegis:
He turned me into a newt.........
well I got better

(nice - Monthy Phyton)

[Silur]

Quote:

Originally posted by nael: <STRONG>well, it literally came down to just dozens of votes in some states, nto just the florida thing. it should scare people enough to realize that they need to get out and vote, and it hsould make people realize that their vote does in fact count.</STRONG>

You may be right. My idea is quite the opposite; that those who did vote will be desillusioned by the fact that it came down to a legal battle in Florida and just give it up. Besides, since most of the US people that voted, did so for Gore and he still didn't win, I'd say people won't feel that they do make that much difference.

@Aegis: What is "Regicide?

@Azeroth: I wasn't aware that we had stopped having religious wars. There are still a number of wars fought on the pretext of religion, although *as 600 hundred years ago* the motives are usually either political och economical.

[nael]

regicide is murdering a royal figure