Slashdot Mirror


The Web Fueling A Crisis In Politics?

An anonymous reader writes "The BBC is reporting that Tony Blair's outgoing chief strategy adviser fears the internet could be fueling a crisis in the relationship between politicians and voters. 'Mr Taylor said Mr Blair's online grilling from voters — and other initiatives such as environment secretary David Miliband's blog and Downing Street's new online petition service — showed the government was making good progress in using the Internet to become more open and accountable. But he said more needed to be done by the web community in general to encourage people to use the internet to "solve problems" rather than simply abuse politicians or make "incommensurate" demands on them.' 'But rather than work out these dilemmas in partnership with their elected leaders, they were encouraged to regard all politicians as corrupt or mendacious by the media, which he described as "a conspiracy to maintain the population in a perpetual state of self-righteous rage." Whether media was left wing or right wing, the message was always that 'leaders are out there to shaft you.'" Some credit was given to the Internet for high voter turnout in this month's elections ... how is that a bad thing?

5 of 322 comments (clear)

  1. That has got to be the funniest thing I've read by DRAGONWEEZEL · · Score: 5, Funny
    All Day.

    Whether media was left wing or right wing, the message was always that 'leaders are out there to shaft you'."


    And, they are not?

    What an interesting proposition.
    --
    How much is your data worth? Back it up now.
    1. Re:That has got to be the funniest thing I've read by thrillseeker · · Score: 4, Funny

      There are "some" politicians that can resist and for the most part do a really good job

      True - I always vote for the dead politician when presented with the opportunity.

    2. Re:That has got to be the funniest thing I've read by Moofie · · Score: 2, Funny

      "And there is your problem - ask why it takes $500,000 to get a seat."

      Supply and demand. People will pay that kind of money for a seat, therefore that's how much they cost. Invisible Hand FTW!

      --
      Why yes, I AM a rocket scientist!
    3. Re:That has got to be the funniest thing I've read by TimHunter · · Score: 3, Funny

      "A statesman is just a dead politician. Lord knows we need more statesmen." -- Opus

    4. Re:That has got to be the funniest thing I've read by ozmanjusri · · Score: 2, Funny
      Unless someone has a better idea?

      "$500,000 to get a seat"

      $50 to get a hunting license.

      --
      "I've got more toys than Teruhisa Kitahara."