𧡠On politicians
There's a huge difference between advocating people's interests and telling them what they want to hear, what's 'popular'. Because what's popular is not necessarily in their interest - this pandemic has made that clear.
There's a huge difference between advocating people's interests and telling them what they want to hear, what's 'popular'. Because what's popular is not necessarily in their interest - this pandemic has made that clear.
2/
Declaring the pandemic over, scaling back limitations, allowing travel, opening up, pretending life's back to normal, that's what everyone was longing for, but it was not (and still isn't) in their best interest.
Declaring the pandemic over, scaling back limitations, allowing travel, opening up, pretending life's back to normal, that's what everyone was longing for, but it was not (and still isn't) in their best interest.
3/
Politicians advocating popular views do so not for you, but for themselves. They tell people what they want to hear, because they think it makes them popular and, in turn, successful. Populists want your vote, not your best.
Politicians advocating popular views do so not for you, but for themselves. They tell people what they want to hear, because they think it makes them popular and, in turn, successful. Populists want your vote, not your best.
4/
Politicians who are prepared to make, explain, defend unpopular policies, make the hard decisions, those are your allies. You might not agree with them, but they don't take the easy way out by charming & humouring you.
Politicians who are prepared to make, explain, defend unpopular policies, make the hard decisions, those are your allies. You might not agree with them, but they don't take the easy way out by charming & humouring you.
5/
Politicians who are knowledgeable, who listen, review, understand complex problems & are able to communicate not in jingles & slogans, but in clear, nuanced, eloquent words - these are the ones who respect you & take you seriously instead of for a ride.
Politicians who are knowledgeable, who listen, review, understand complex problems & are able to communicate not in jingles & slogans, but in clear, nuanced, eloquent words - these are the ones who respect you & take you seriously instead of for a ride.
6/
Politicians are there to solve problems, manage a complex world, with everyone's interest in mind. They're not there to entertain you. If you want distraction, switch on TV, read a book, take your child to a playground or your partner to a pub or a beach.
Politicians are there to solve problems, manage a complex world, with everyone's interest in mind. They're not there to entertain you. If you want distraction, switch on TV, read a book, take your child to a playground or your partner to a pub or a beach.
7/
Life is hard. It's complicated. It's never one-dimensional. Politicians who pretend otherwise,Β who offer easy solutions, broad opinions, quick fixes are not serious. They are either unaware of or ignoring the complexities of this world.
Life is hard. It's complicated. It's never one-dimensional. Politicians who pretend otherwise,Β who offer easy solutions, broad opinions, quick fixes are not serious. They are either unaware of or ignoring the complexities of this world.
8/
Yes, politicians need vision. An idea, an ideal of what our society should be like. They should be able to encourage, get us on board, convey confidence that a better world can be built. And know that for that we must move heavy bricks, not dream of sandcastles.
Yes, politicians need vision. An idea, an ideal of what our society should be like. They should be able to encourage, get us on board, convey confidence that a better world can be built. And know that for that we must move heavy bricks, not dream of sandcastles.
9/
A last twist: Politicians who make the hard, unpopular decisions are *not*, as a consequence, unpopular, too. Decisions based on genuine concern & good information, conveyed with sincerity & kindness, speak both, for themselves & for those who make them.
A last twist: Politicians who make the hard, unpopular decisions are *not*, as a consequence, unpopular, too. Decisions based on genuine concern & good information, conveyed with sincerity & kindness, speak both, for themselves & for those who make them.
10/
Look at New Zealand.
-END-
Look at New Zealand.
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