Detroit files for bankruptcy

[Papa_Complex]

Originally Posted by goof2

I disagree with the prosecution idea. They are voted in to office to represent the voters. They are just doing what the voters want, and if they don't they are voted out of office. Voters being too disengaged, self-interested, or stupid to realize that some of these decisions are short sighted isn't the fault of politicians. When those decisions result in obvious consequences years later the fault ultimately rests with the voters as well. Getting mad in hindsight and attempting to hold politicians responsible for representing the misguided priorities of previous voters seems like nothing more than voters trying to abrogate their responsibility.

Except when it's fraud.

[derf]

Just want to remind everyone that Clevland Rocks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZzgAjjuqZM

[goof2]

Originally Posted by Papa_Complex

Except when it's fraud.

Good luck practically ever proving that. Take the scenario I outlined for example. I'd consider the perpetrators of that particular fraud as the public.

[Papa_Complex]

Originally Posted by goof2

Good luck practically ever proving that. Take the scenario I outlined for example. I'd consider the perpetrators of that particular fraud as the public.

Our last Premier, here in Ontario, said that he wouldn't create any new taxes. He created a heath care tax and then called it a "fee." That's fraud.

[goof2]

Originally Posted by Papa_Complex

Our last Premier, here in Ontario, said that he wouldn't create any new taxes. He created a heath care tax and then called it a "fee." That's fraud.

You believed a campaign promise? That's gullible.

[Papa_Complex]

Originally Posted by goof2

You believed a campaign promise? That's gullible.

You don't think that politicians should be held to promises? That's cynical.

[goof2]

Originally Posted by Papa_Complex

You don't think that politicians should be held to promises? That's cynical.

Viewing campaign "promises" as anything more than a broad vision of where a politician would like to go is naive. They are not deities or some kind of dark ages era all powerful monarch. They have to depend on other people to keep the promises they make. When they are making those promises they don't even know if the people they will depend on are allies or hostile. That isn't cynical, it is recognizing reality.

[Papa_Complex]

Originally Posted by goof2

Viewing campaign "promises" as anything more than a broad vision of where a politician would like to go is naive. They are not deities or some kind of dark ages era all powerful monarch. They have to depend on other people to keep the promises they make. When they are making those promises they don't even know if the people they will depend on are allies or hostile. That isn't cynical, it is recognizing reality.

And when their party has majority control and it's quite possible to do what they promised, but they don't? Or when they go completely counter to the promises that they made during the election? Or when they know that it's functionally impossible to do what they promise, when they make the promise?

Fraud.