What Do You Think of your Government?

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

Purely out of interest, what do you think of your government? Have they done a good job? Helped your country?

Please state the name of your country along with your opinion.

[doc_bean]

Belgium: they're more concerned with their own reputation than with decent governing. They're bad, but I consider this a transition period anyway, hopefully it will get better after the next election.

[Lemur]

United States: It's a testament to the strength and power of our nation that even a bunch of incompetent idealogues like the Bush 43 Administration can't cripple us. I'm reminded of a line about the papacy that I read some years ago, that stated that the papacy must be ordained by God, since any mortal institution would have crumbled under the weight of so much corruption and sin.

[Ice]

USA: I'm fair contempt. They could improve a bit.

(this should get good)

[Reenk Roink]

USA: Don't like the government, then again, didn't like it any better under Clinton.

I just want power ...

[lars573]

Canada, Harper and his minority conservative haven't had a chance to fug things up yet (to me it's a matter of when they ge the chance not if). But I don't trust the shifty bastard, never will. Long as he's in office I'll never be content.

[Beirut]

The Canadian government?

[Marcellus]

UK: I don't trust the Government. They have lied, are sleazy, try to spin everything, and are generally untrustworthy. The much needed investment in public services is the best thing Blair and friends have done. Their foreign policy has been too divisive. Post-9/11 they have tried to erode our rights and liberties. And then there's Iraq...

Overall: better than the Conservatives, but still disappointing.

[master of the puppets]

USA: a proud and noble country of brave men and shining ideals...then we hit the 60's , now i fear i cannot trust my government or the polititions who have decided they rule us and not us them. the world hates us for our foolish leaders and frivolous wars (started by the foolish leaders), and it is becoming a world where nice guys finish last and once you are last you stop being nice yet stay down in that crappy hole. i fear that in order to succeed i must have money i will never have then lie and cheat and tax until i'm at the top, then if the corrupt senate allows me, i will reform us and makes us what we once were.

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

I do not like the new government. Well, in fact I believe that we did not have a good one since the 70ies.

S hasn't really done much for me. I hope Angie will be better. She does show a bit of promise, you have to admit that.

She made a good performance on the international stage.

Yes. One of the reasons I think she'll do OK. But, I suppose the S did stand up about Iraq...ah well.

Instead she gives money to increase economy; foolish, every cancler tried it and it never worked.

Yup. But hey, there's a first time for everything.

She has no clue how to fight unemployment or solve the problems with the health system.

I agree with you there. But that was also a problem under S, at least for my family. And we're pretty well off.

Why increasing budget for defense? I see no threat (besides the US).

Well, German troops are a major force around the world, especially peacekeeping and in Afghanistan. We probably do have enough, or close to enough, going to the military, but it's still not very much.

I am very proud that my country is still strong although we do not have good politicians (or industry leaders or union leaders ...)

Yes, yes indeed. The Weimar Republic trained us.



Anyway, I said she's OK. I didn't say she's the heroine of all mankind...

[Husar]

Well, German troops are a major force around the world, [..]

Yeah, this time we pretend to be peaceful, maybe it will work this time, but pshhht...

[Franconicus]

Well, German troops are a major force around the world, especially peacekeeping and in Afghanistan. We probably do have enough, or close to enough, going to the military, but it's still not very much.

I do not know where this will lead us. We as well as other Western countries have peace keeping troops everywhere. And nowhere is really peace. There is no plan how to end it. When will the troops return from the Balkans, when from Afghanistan? Our politicians send our soldiers without a real plan. They will stay there for decades. And more and more new areas are added. Kongo? What the hell are we doing there? There is no plan at all. Just the wish to do something. In the end all our countries will overstretch their resources, having soldiers spread all over the world. But no peace.

Look at the US. They will stay in Iraq for a very long time. This will block so many resources that they cannot afford to have another big military conflict.

[Husar]

Franconicus, I think it makes out troops realise what the army is.
They shouldn´t just join the army to get a job and sit around in Germany all day long, driking beer and enjoying their free time, it´s an army!
As peacekeepers they sit around as well, but at least there is some danger and they need to be aware of threats, I´d see that as a compromise between sitting around at home and real combat, plus it makes a few places on this world more secure.
Hollywood always says if you just change a little bit on this world, you already make a difference. I think it applies in this case. Though if you want to make peace and leave, our soldiers need to chase the criminals in the countries they are guarding.
And I don´t think you can compare that to the US in Iraq, I didn´t know we hire private companies for millions of Euros to secure those places.

[Ja'chyra]

At best, apathetic.

This is not just directed at Labour but at politicians in general, they all seem to have forgoteen that they are civil servants, here to serve the public, and all seem to be more interested in furthering their own and their parties interests. The money for titles scandal is an ideal example, and I'm not niaive enough to think that the other parties wouldn't have done the same.

All in all I think they send too much time trying to get people to vote for them when, if they simply served the people as best they could, the votes would naturally follow. I also hate the secrets, again I know that they are sometimes necessary, but if they want to go to war they shouldn't tell us half a story and spin it their way, they should simply present their case and let us decide, we're not idiots you know, well, most of us anyway

I also think, on a local level, that the elected representatives should reflect the views of the areas they represent, too often their votes seem to be dictated by party leaders or traded away for favours. Once again I know this is sometimes necessary, but, they should be open with the people they represent and held accountable for their decisions.

One thing I really hate is when politicians are allowed to resign from posts, for whatever reason, before they are sacked and then given another post 6 months later when they think we have forgotten As a civil servant I would be sacked and a note put on my record to ensure I wasn't re-hired in the future.

Think that's it for now, I'm sure someone will ridicaule most of the things, and maybe for good reason, but these are my opinions. Sorry I can't give you all back the 2 minutes of your life it took to read this

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

I do not know where this will lead us. We as well as other Western countries have peace keeping troops everywhere. And nowhere is really peace. There is no plan how to end it. When will the troops return from the Balkans, when from Afghanistan? Our politicians send our soldiers without a real plan. They will stay there for decades. And more and more new areas are added. Kongo? What the hell are we doing there? There is no plan at all. Just the wish to do something. In the end all our countries will overstretch their resources, having soldiers spread all over the world. But no peace.

Look at the US. They will stay in Iraq for a very long time. This will block so many resources that they cannot afford to have another big military conflict.

You seem to have made a counterpoint against yourself...this is why we need a larger military budget. Because we're not going to pull out anytime soon.

[Franconicus]

You seem to have made a counterpoint against yourself...this is why we need a larger military budget. Because we're not going to pull out anytime soon.

No! I think it is nothing but wishful thinking that Western armies can make peace all over the world. It did not work and it will not. Even if you have as many sldiers as the US. Instead of making peace your soldiers become the target of agression.

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

No! I think it is nothing but wishful thinking that Western armies can make peace all over the world.It did not work and it will not. Even if you have as many sldiers as the US. Instead of making peace your soldiers become the target of agression.

Yes, I agree with that. I've been speaking out against Iraq, for example, on these forums for a long time. But as long as our troops remain in there, they need money. I'm not saying have a radical budget like the Americans (that scares me, to be frank), but at least an average budget would help our forces out considerably, IMO.