Ditch the spin doctors – The Nurse proposes ‘human’ politicians
The Nurse has noticed an interesting political phenomenon. Since the UK General Election she’s heard interviews with ex-MPs. And they’ve all had major personality transplants. What’s going on?
As MPs these people never answered a straight question. They prevaricated, delayed, obfuscated, avoided responsibility and played the blame game. Some even had body language coaching, which just made them look… well, weird.
Outside politics, as ordinary humans being interviewed about their old job, they were funny, intelligent, entertaining and perceptive. The Nurse supposes it’s because they’re not under spin doctors’ influence any more, or obliged to toe the party line. And they don’t have to check every sentence they utter for gaffes.
So are MPs being forced to sacrifice their best human traits on the altar of politics? And who’s responsible? Is it hereditary – have our politicians always been so slippery? Or is it a new phenomenon born of spin? Whatever the reason, The Nurse proposes a better way.
How about having human politicians? People who speak their minds honestly, with personalities and human failings. They’d confess their mistakes, admit it when they’d fucked up and apologise as though they meant it. They’d give straight answers to straight questions.
Presumably spin doctors, PR people and the like are employed to improve the image of politicians and their parties. If so they’re doing a shit job.
The Nurse was half amused and half horrified by the happy, carefree, open interviews ex-MPs gave. Amused because the poor buggers were so obviously delighted to be out of the spotlight. Horrified because surely no job should twist essentially good people into the peculiar shapes our politicians end up in.
Mirella from new elevator escalator design engineer wrote,
It’s not often you can get to speak with top-level politicians, though you can start at any level. You’re right about ‘spreading the word’ in that when others ‘get the idea’ they will also pass it on. It’s not a job for the faint-hearted, though, as you often have to spread a lot of seed to get enough corn to grow.
Link | July 30th, 2010 at 6:11 am
Donovan Taylor from handbag importer wrote,
Historically, there have been numerous examples of dirty politics practiced by equally dirty politicians. Unfortunately for the majority of honest office holders, these incidents often dominate the public media. Consequently, a number of effective politicians have a bad reputation only by association. If one politician is capable of dirty tricks or dereliction of duty, then they may all be equally capable of some wrongdoing. This general perception of politicians becomes even more pronounced during election campaigns, where candidates have the leverage to expose each other’s political and personal shortcomings.
Link | July 30th, 2010 at 11:57 am
Matthew Robbins from server colocation wrote,
Well the politicians do have that attitude. As the new generation does not care for anything.They are more capitalistic in their attitude.The previous generation was socialist in their attitude.They had respect for anybody who made sacrifices.
Link | July 31st, 2010 at 5:57 am