Quote:
Originally Posted by OF1975
You seem to have a great deal more confidence and respect for politicians than I do.
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To some degree I do. I genuinely feel that most of the politicians I meet have the electorate's views and interests at heart. I also feel (above local level at least, but that's another story) that parliament is not corruptable to the degree that the press would have us believe.
That's not to say I don't have many issues with our democracy. The problem is that the electorate doesn't necessarily know what's good for the country as a whole in the long term, and it's up to parliament to debate that.
"The good of the country" is the argument that gets abused in issues like the Dodgy Dossier, Contra, BAE, and state surveillance.
It also gets abused in the guise of promoting and encouraging trade an innovation, hence Phorm's lack of opposition.
But there's enough good voices in parliament who, given suitable encouragement from the likes of us, will work for us.
I really don't believe that Patricia Hewitt's address book is any more effective at influencing government than William Hague's or Don Foster's or anyone who's spoken out against Phorm.