A Thought Experiment...
A Thought Experiment...
Assume that the elected politicians (this would include elected local council members), who run our countries, upon assuming office have to sign a pledge - contravention of which would be a criminal offence - not to receive any income from any source other than the designated salaried income for that office. This would mean severing and rejection of all business links, all financial inducements disguised as lobbying and access to family finance and influence. Any monies in tax havens to be declared and withdrawn to allow the appropriate tax to be levied with the monies to be secured in an inaccessible trust for the duration of the politician's office.
Assume also that political parties are similarly proscribed with their sole income provided for by the state, their elected politicians and registered members paying a fixed membership fee. Donations by vested interests to be forbidden.
Question.
Assuming that the above situation actually exists (and has existed for some time), what laws and regulations would be passed or rejected and what differences would be apparent relative to today's political situation?
Any answers would obviously be country specific.
Assume also that political parties are similarly proscribed with their sole income provided for by the state, their elected politicians and registered members paying a fixed membership fee. Donations by vested interests to be forbidden.
Question.
Assuming that the above situation actually exists (and has existed for some time), what laws and regulations would be passed or rejected and what differences would be apparent relative to today's political situation?
Any answers would obviously be country specific.
Absolute faith corrupts as absolutely as absolute power - Eric Hoffer.
I have NO BELIEF in the existence of a God or gods. I do not have to offer proof nor do I have to determine absence of proof because I do not ASSERT that a God does or does not or gods do or do not exist.
I have NO BELIEF in the existence of a God or gods. I do not have to offer proof nor do I have to determine absence of proof because I do not ASSERT that a God does or does not or gods do or do not exist.
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Re: A Thought Experiment...
Assume what?
I am, somehow, less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein’s brain than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and died in cotton fields and sweatshops. - Stephen J. Gould
Re: A Thought Experiment...
Such laws would obviously be illegal with regard to the constitutions in most Western nations.
Re: A Thought Experiment...
I know, I know. It's laughable. But what the hell, have a go.
Absolute faith corrupts as absolutely as absolute power - Eric Hoffer.
I have NO BELIEF in the existence of a God or gods. I do not have to offer proof nor do I have to determine absence of proof because I do not ASSERT that a God does or does not or gods do or do not exist.
I have NO BELIEF in the existence of a God or gods. I do not have to offer proof nor do I have to determine absence of proof because I do not ASSERT that a God does or does not or gods do or do not exist.
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Re: A Thought Experiment...
doesn't work here, most of our town councillors work only part time and are unpaid BESIDE their main job's revenue, plus, let's face it, town council, even mayor salary is miserable here, It might work for MPs (both chambers) but I guess that the first law repealed would be the one restricting politicos to their political wages, even if stringent laws agaisnt conflict of interest do get passed and are actually enforced, on which I won't hold my breath.
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PC stands for "Patronizing Cocksucker" Randy Ping
PC stands for "Patronizing Cocksucker" Randy Ping
Re: A Thought Experiment...
Yep. But it is a 'Thought Experiment...'NineBerry wrote:Such laws would obviously be illegal with regard to the constitutions in most Western nations.
Absolute faith corrupts as absolutely as absolute power - Eric Hoffer.
I have NO BELIEF in the existence of a God or gods. I do not have to offer proof nor do I have to determine absence of proof because I do not ASSERT that a God does or does not or gods do or do not exist.
I have NO BELIEF in the existence of a God or gods. I do not have to offer proof nor do I have to determine absence of proof because I do not ASSERT that a God does or does not or gods do or do not exist.
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Re: A Thought Experiment...
Laws restricting politicos to their appointment salaries... unpractical and irrealistic, I can see, but unconstitutional, how so?NineBerry wrote:Such laws would obviously be illegal with regard to the constitutions in most Western nations.
Embrace the Darkness, it needs a hug
PC stands for "Patronizing Cocksucker" Randy Ping
PC stands for "Patronizing Cocksucker" Randy Ping
Re: A Thought Experiment...
I don't expect any of the assumptions would be ever implemented, but as I said to NB, it is a 'Thought Experiment...'Svartalf wrote:doesn't work here, most of our town councillors work only part time and are unpaid BESIDE their main job's revenue, plus, let's face it, town council, even mayor salary is miserable here, It might work for MPs (both chambers) but I guess that the first law repealed would be the one restricting politicos to their political wages, even if stringent laws agaisnt conflict of interest do get passed and are actually enforced, on which I won't hold my breath.
Absolute faith corrupts as absolutely as absolute power - Eric Hoffer.
I have NO BELIEF in the existence of a God or gods. I do not have to offer proof nor do I have to determine absence of proof because I do not ASSERT that a God does or does not or gods do or do not exist.
I have NO BELIEF in the existence of a God or gods. I do not have to offer proof nor do I have to determine absence of proof because I do not ASSERT that a God does or does not or gods do or do not exist.
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Re: A Thought Experiment...
Just think of all the real-world economic experience, skill and insight you'd lose by excluding the representation of business interests in our sacred democratic processes. I mean, George Osborne might have only had a 2,2 in History but the experience he gained from working in finance and running his families wallpaper business surely equipped him with all the attributes required of a modern Chancellor?
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Clinton Huxley » 21 Jun 2012 » 14:10:36 GMT
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"It isn't necessary to imagine the world ending in fire or ice.
There are two other possibilities: one is paperwork, and the other is nostalgia."
Frank Zappa
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Clinton Huxley » 21 Jun 2012 » 14:10:36 GMT
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Re: A Thought Experiment...
No, it's not. It's a brain fart. Don't feel bad, though. Everybody has one from time to time. The only problem is that some people are incapable of realising that they had popped one out when they did.Alan B wrote:...it is a 'Thought Experiment...'
I am, somehow, less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein’s brain than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and died in cotton fields and sweatshops. - Stephen J. Gould
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Re: A Thought Experiment...
More control over slush funds to political parties is a good idea, but one that is not likely to succeed...
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Re: A Thought Experiment...
The first step in this thought experiment has to be to gather up all the existing politicians and encase them in concrete and throw them out to sea. Without that, this isn't a realistic thought experiment..
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Re: A Thought Experiment...
Today's 'Brain Fart' can be tomorrow's 'Profound Thought'.Hermit wrote:No, it's not. It's a brain fart. Don't feel bad, though. Everybody has one from time to time. The only problem is that some people are incapable of realising that they had popped one out when they did.Alan B wrote:...it is a 'Thought Experiment...'
Absolute faith corrupts as absolutely as absolute power - Eric Hoffer.
I have NO BELIEF in the existence of a God or gods. I do not have to offer proof nor do I have to determine absence of proof because I do not ASSERT that a God does or does not or gods do or do not exist.
I have NO BELIEF in the existence of a God or gods. I do not have to offer proof nor do I have to determine absence of proof because I do not ASSERT that a God does or does not or gods do or do not exist.
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Re: A Thought Experiment...
Very true. Galileo's theory went complete against what common sense, based on empirical observation, dictated at the time. Alfred Wegener's (who was a meteorologist) theory of plate tectonics was poopooed for decades by geologists.Alan B wrote:Today's 'Brain Fart' can be tomorrow's 'Profound Thought'.Hermit wrote:No, it's not. It's a brain fart. Don't feel bad, though. Everybody has one from time to time. The only problem is that some people are incapable of realising that they had popped one out when they did.Alan B wrote:...it is a 'Thought Experiment...'
I remain mindful of the word "can", though.
I am, somehow, less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein’s brain than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and died in cotton fields and sweatshops. - Stephen J. Gould
Re: A Thought Experiment...
It's a hypothetical proposition and it is not suggested that it should be considered for actual implementation, which some of you seem to think and lambaste it accordingly.
It's an attempt to 'theorise' what laws and regulations would be in place (or not) when there is no systemic financial inducement.
Let's start with the various state gun laws and the medical care system in America...
Come on, people, put yer 'thinking caps' on.
It's an attempt to 'theorise' what laws and regulations would be in place (or not) when there is no systemic financial inducement.
Let's start with the various state gun laws and the medical care system in America...
Come on, people, put yer 'thinking caps' on.
Absolute faith corrupts as absolutely as absolute power - Eric Hoffer.
I have NO BELIEF in the existence of a God or gods. I do not have to offer proof nor do I have to determine absence of proof because I do not ASSERT that a God does or does not or gods do or do not exist.
I have NO BELIEF in the existence of a God or gods. I do not have to offer proof nor do I have to determine absence of proof because I do not ASSERT that a God does or does not or gods do or do not exist.
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