Do politicians take us for granted?

[Kwame21]

The story here in most African countries is weird. Its like the only time these politicians seem to care is when election is approaching. They visit us, give us empty promises and a whole lot. Funny enough, they are voted for massively. Then once they are in power, we are out of the picture. In my country for instance, apart from what I was taught back in school, I cant really pinpoint the essence of the Legislature. From my observation, this has become a cycle. Its like instead of them bringing up policies that will improve lives, they waste resources just like that and master how to make us vote for them when the time comes.
My worry is, are we naive or thats just how the game of politics is played?

[acroman08]

The story here in most African countries is weird. Its like the only time these politicians seem to care is when election is approaching. They visit us, give us empty promises and a whole lot. Funny enough, they are voted for massively. Then once they are in power, we are out of the picture. In my country for instance, apart from what I was taught back in school, I cant really pinpoint the essence of the Legislature. From my observation, this has become a cycle. Its like instead of them bringing up policies that will improve lives, they waste resources just like that and master how to make us vote for them when the time comes.
My worry is, are we naive or thats just how the game of politics is played?

it's a strategy for campaigning and most politicians do this to gain trust from the public and yes it has become a cycle because there are gullible citizens to fool who will believe whatever the politician says.
and of course, there are those who sell their vote for a couple of bucks. yes, most of us are naive, most of us are the reason why scummy politicians are in elected and yes, most politicians take us for granted
because there are people, gullible people who believe in pretty lies and hate the ugly truth which politician take advantage off. but there are politicians who believes in making their country better but being ignored
because they tell the ugly truth.

[clickerz]

The story here in most African countries is weird. Its like the only time these politicians seem to care is when election is approaching. They visit us, give us empty promises and a whole lot. Funny enough, they are voted for massively. Then once they are in power, we are out of the picture. In my country for instance, apart from what I was taught back in school, I cant really pinpoint the essence of the Legislature. From my observation, this has become a cycle. Its like instead of them bringing up policies that will improve lives, they waste resources just like that and master how to make us vote for them when the time comes.
My worry is, are we naive or thats just how the game of politics is played?

it's a strategy for campaigning and most politicians do this to gain trust from the public and yes it has become a cycle because there are gullible citizens to fool who will believe whatever the politician says.
and of course, there are those who sell their vote for a couple of bucks. yes, most of us are naive, most of us are the reason why scummy politicians are in elected and yes, most politicians take us for granted
because there are people, gullible people who believe in pretty lies and hate the ugly truth which politician take advantage off. but there are politicians who believes in making their country better but being ignored
because they tell the ugly truth.

I think it happened in a country where a popularity vote is practiced. They are sweet,religious, amiable,helpful,loving person almost a saint  during election but  don't know you after election. They run for a position,their own personal interest and gain only.

We need a real civil servant whose heart is for the improvement of his constituents,address the problems immediately like in health, poverty,crime,education,employment etc. Those are pressing issues that needs to be address and we need to hear  how they tackle and provide solution for such during campaigns.

[smyslov]

The story here in most African countries is weird. Its like the only time these politicians seem to care is when election is approaching. They visit us, give us empty promises and a whole lot. Funny enough, they are voted for massively. Then once they are in power, we are out of the picture. In my country for instance, apart from what I was taught back in school, I cant really pinpoint the essence of the Legislature. From my observation, this has become a cycle. Its like instead of them bringing up policies that will improve lives, they waste resources just like that and master how to make us vote for them when the time comes.
My worry is, are we naive or thats just how the game of politics is played?

Not only in African Countries but Asian countries as well, they only know you in times of election, but after the election, you will never see them again in the next three years,  I've known one politician who shakes hands-on every people he comes across when election time, but after he gets on his car, his bodyguard pour alcohols in his hands because he feared that he might contaminated by the people he shakes his hands with, Damn politician.

[Mometaskers]

The story here in most African countries is weird. Its like the only time these politicians seem to care is when election is approaching.

I'm surprised there even is an election when they can just vote themselves in. Like that Mugabe who kept winning elections - and won the lottery multiple times as well. Oh well, let's see if he wins the elections in hell.

Incumbent just need enough public approval to keep themselves in office and new entrants, of course, want to get in. Sure there are politicians who probably care about their constituents but the thing is, I think they are rare, especially when majority of politicians in a country are from political dynasties.

Not only in African Countries but Asian countries as well, they only know you in times of election, but after the election, you will never see them again in the next three years,  I've known one politician who shakes hands-on every people he comes across when election time, but after he gets on his car, his bodyguard pour alcohols in his hands because he feared that he might contaminated by the people he shakes his hands with, Damn politician.

Everyone does that though. I've seen celebrities and other public figures do that as they exit the venue. It don't turn me off, knowing they've probably shaken like a hundred hands before that. I too would do that.

[Naida_BR]

The story here in most African countries is weird. Its like the only time these politicians seem to care is when election is approaching. They visit us, give us empty promises and a whole lot. Funny enough, they are voted for massively. Then once they are in power, we are out of the picture. In my country for instance, apart from what I was taught back in school, I cant really pinpoint the essence of the Legislature. From my observation, this has become a cycle. Its like instead of them bringing up policies that will improve lives, they waste resources just like that and master how to make us vote for them when the time comes.
My worry is, are we naive or thats just how the game of politics is played?

That is happening in many countries apart from Africa.
It is noticed more in poor countries where people struggle to live. Politicians give expectations and voters have a hope that something of all these is going to be implemented. That's why the get voted massively.

[squatz1]

Well I can tell you it's not something which is specific to Africa. Politicians have stopped caring about trying to solve problems and fixing things, they've changed their view. Now anything they do is going to result in short term gain and hopefully a reelection for them.

That's all most politicians care about -- reelection.

I do feel for the politicians that have great monumental plans that look as if they're going to be able to help the country but then they lose because they didn't provide the short term gain that their people wanted. We're to blame for some of this as well, as we get outraged very quickly and want immediate change when that's just not always possible.

[BADecker]

Should we be taking politicians for granite?     

[tvbcof]

Does a farmer take his animals for granted?

Politicians play the role of workers on the factory farm and slaughterhouse environments.  The so-called 0.001% are the farm owners.

Just like those working the floors, some percentage of politicians take a sadistic pleasure in making the animals lives even less pleasant than they already are.  Probably not a high percent.  Most of them just do what they are paid to do:  follow their bosses directives and keep things working smoothly and efficiently.

[squatz1]

Does a farmer take his animals for granted?

Politicians play the role of workers on the factory farm and slaughterhouse environments.  The so-called 0.001% are the farm owners.

Just like those working the floors, some percentage of politicians take a sadistic pleasure in making the animals lives even less pleasant than they already are.  Probably not a high percent.  Most of them just do what they are paid to do:  follow their bosses directives and keep things working smoothly and efficiently.

At the end of the day though, there are some politicians that actually do want to see the benefit of the people. Not a majority of politicians, though I don't think there are politicians present that take pleasure in hurting people. They're just in the game to make money and sometimes the people don't get everything they want when you're elected -- so that's the way they make themselves feel better.

It's game, and we're losing. Politicians are winning, corporations are winning, the rich are winning.

[tsaroz]

The story here in most African countries is weird. Its like the only time these politicians seem to care is when election is approaching. They visit us, give us empty promises and a whole lot. Funny enough, they are voted for massively. Then once they are in power, we are out of the picture. In my country for instance, apart from what I was taught back in school, I cant really pinpoint the essence of the Legislature. From my observation, this has become a cycle. Its like instead of them bringing up policies that will improve lives, they waste resources just like that and master how to make us vote for them when the time comes.
My worry is, are we naive or thats just how the game of politics is played?

Politics has been a dirty game and every politician needs some degree of cunningness to success within their party. Replacing the politicians might not be a solution either as we've seen newer politician more committed to corruption. The greatest power are the people itself. Politicians could be forced to act according to the interest of people. Education is the most powerful weapon.
One of the largest contributing factor for success of democracy is a free and unbiased media.
In case of Africa, things are changing for good. We've seen impressive improvement in lifestyle of many African countries in recent years led by democratically elected leaders.

[finzyoj]

The story here in most African countries is weird. Its like the only time these politicians seem to care is when election is approaching.

Don't feel that you are the only one who experiencing such thing, we and many countries across the globe got the same thing. But ours is a little bit improving because after we elected our president, you can feel that he is keeping his promises and lead our country in greater progress. Unlike the previous ones, the Duterte administration shows its claws against crime. Though many humanitarian orgs. and groups are against in his way of ruling, I still like it because you can really see the good results.

From my observation, this has become a cycle. Its like instead of them bringing up policies that will improve lives, they waste resources just like that and master how to make us vote for them when the time comes.

Are you sure? They are not corrupting the money at all and use for their personal interests?

[tvbcof]

...
Unlike the previous ones, the Duterte administration shows its claws against crime. Though many humanitarian orgs. and groups are against in his way of ruling, I still like it because you can really see the good results.

The biggest reason I think that Duterte might actually really be 'for real' and not just riding on marketing hype generated from mined social media data is the vicious attacks he gets from globalists (NGO's, United Nations, mainstream media, etc.)

My contention is that Duterte really is screwing up some long term globalist programs for The Philippines.  Especially their illicit drug operations which are meant to undermine society by corrupting government at all levels. Globalists want country's national governments  to be unstable, paralyzed, and focused on internal problems.  The more exploitable resources a country has the more important it is to control them, and The Philippines is actually fairly rich.

The interesting thing to see is that once people see that there is some possibility for things to get better when it comes to drugs and other such things, and see it happen even just a little bit, they will work vigorously to not regress and their tolerance for future problems goes way down.  At least that is what it seems like to me.

One decent person making forward progress for a brief time can undue years of hard work on the 'evil' side dragging the country toward collapse and/or revolution.  The world is full of such 'asymmetric phenomenon'.  Identifying them is key to good strategy.

[NathanJB]

The story here in most African countries is weird. Its like the only time these politicians seem to care is when election is approaching. They visit us, give us empty promises and a whole lot. Funny enough, they are voted for massively. Then once they are in power, we are out of the picture. In my country for instance, apart from what I was taught back in school, I cant really pinpoint the essence of the Legislature. From my observation, this has become a cycle. Its like instead of them bringing up policies that will improve lives, they waste resources just like that and master how to make us vote for them when the time comes.
My worry is, are we naive or thats just how the game of politics is played?

I still believe that this kind of politics will not be effective if people will not allow themselves to be fooled. Politicians are using this strategy over and over again because it is effective. They will not bother doing this if such strategy proves nothing. But since people are always swayed by sweet yet empty promises, politicians have already become comfortable using it. Voter's awareness, empowerment, and the courage to oppose such dirty politicians are what it takes for this to end.

[finzyoj]

The biggest reason I think that Duterte might actually really be 'for real' and not just riding on marketing hype generated from mined social media data is the vicious attacks he gets from globalists (NGO's, United Nations, mainstream media, etc.)

Yeah! He really don't give a f*ck. He don't care if his way of leadership irritates the eyes of this global organizations. I actually like his bravery for doing what he think is good for our country without even letting the bodies outside our sovereignty interfere. What a strong conviction.

My contention is that Duterte really is screwing up some long term globalist programs for The Philippines.  Especially their illicit drug operations which are meant to undermine society by corrupting government at all levels. Globalists want country's national governments  to be unstable, paralyzed, and focused on internal problems.  The more exploitable resources a country has the more important it is to control them, and The Philippines is actually fairly rich.

I foresee the same thing that's why our president is working for a Plan B. That's why he try to befriend Russia and also keep befriending China despite of the despute on the reclamation of West Philippine Sea because he knew that they can be a strong allies when new WW began. I can see that he already want to stop our relationship to America, probably he, an me also, thought that we will only suffer more in the end. I thought that all of the help we get coming from.the Americans has something for exchange and that would be human force. We might end up as their "pawns"in case of war.

Anyway, do you really think we are rich? I don't think so .

ps: these are just my opinions.

[tvbcof]

...
I foresee the same thing that's why our president is working for a Plan B. That's why he try to befriend Russia and also keep befriending China despite of the despute on the reclamation of West Philippine Sea because he knew that they can be a strong allies when new WW began. I can see that he already want to stop our relationship to America, probably he, an me also, thought that we will only suffer more in the end. I thought that all of the help we get coming from.the Americans has something for exchange and that would be human force. We might end up as their "pawns"in case of war.

Anyway, do you really think we are rich? I don't think so .

ps: these are just my opinions.

It would be quite foolish to rely on the U.S. for any sort of help when the shit hit's the fan.  Seems that those who control the U.S. at this time actually take a perverse pleasure in backstabbing their 'friends' and would so it even just for the fun of it for no particular gain.  That said, life under the Chinese would probably be 10 times worse than what most people experienced under the U.S..  At least most naive American peeps where indoctrinated with the idea that 'all men are created equal' which imparts some degree of humanity.  Not so many other societies.

As for rich, I mean that The Philippines as a nation is quite well off with minerals, arable land, water, etc.

As I've said before, it would be great to see some real cooperation between Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, The Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia to contain China's expansionist dreams of claiming everyone else's resources.  I think that this would be vastly more robust than relying on help form the U.S. if/when any real shooting starts.

As a mater of fact, I'm expecting the U.S. to sell their S and SE Asian 'friends' off to China for basically nothing just before themselves are imploded.  Those who have been parasitizing the U.S. have already moved their factories to China and are having their kids learn Mandarin.  They are one gulfstream jet ride away from switching hosts.

[Mandoy]

The story here in most African countries is weird. Its like the only time these politicians seem to care is when election is approaching. They visit us, give us empty promises and a whole lot. Funny enough, they are voted for massively. Then once they are in power, we are out of the picture. In my country for instance, apart from what I was taught back in school, I cant really pinpoint the essence of the Legislature. From my observation, this has become a cycle. Its like instead of them bringing up policies that will improve lives, they waste resources just like that and master how to make us vote for them when the time comes.
My worry is, are we naive or thats just how the game of politics is played?

That corrupt practices is not just present in Africa but to other third world countries as well. During election period politicians will do anything to gain the favor of the masses and of course they will spend millions to win the election. After they win the election they will forget the promises they made because they are busy earning back what they spent during the elections. If people will accept money or any kind of goods during the election then they will still win the election and the cycle will continue. Sometimes we need to vote for the right people and do not accept gifts and bribe from them so that right people will be seated in the right position. If that happens the welfare sector will have enough budget since corruption will be lessened if not removed.

[Niya]

This happens not only in African countries, but almost all over the world.
Why? Because it works. People are so naive and silly that always fall for some politician and then vote him/her. They just believe any promise politicians made.
Politicians, on the other hand, are masters of communication and marketing and thus are very skilled in manipulating people for their own benefits.

[iamsheikhadil]

That's not how politics is played. That's how you let them play it. We are greedy and we allow them to lure us. To divide us. To create fear in us as well as greed. It's all like how religion is. We listen to the preacher no matter how naive he talks. Beside, politics is nowadays a dirty profession so the wise upper class so called people also don't want make themselves dirty and just votes who ever stands in election.

[nelson4lov]

It's already a known fact for decades now. politics is one dark game where people in power continously exploit those who are barely eating 3 square meals. I've seen situations where a 4 year tenure brought severe hardship and even a recession. Yet during election, these politicians would give out 1 - 2 cups of rice and people would still line up to vote for them. The way I see it, the masses are part of the problem. When we start realizing we're worth more than we're getting, that's the point they stop taking us for granted. But as long as we allow such, why won't they go overboard?

It's not just these politicians. In life, if you're 'too' gentle and take things easily, people would exploit that and take you for granted.