Quote:
Originally Posted by belsarius
Or the dreaded "Common Sense" phrase. It is like candy for idiots. The last thing I want out of people in charge is a common sense approach. I want experts with an expert sense of the problem and solution. There are so many things in complex systems that are inherently counter-intuitive (economics is full of them).
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I agree with what you and Fuzz are saying but I also agree with Cliff. Politicians are a product of the people, they don’t dictate the right way to think, speak, or act, the people do. And people are overwhelming unwilling to use their brains when it comes to anything “political.” Hell, it’s taboo to talk politics in a group setting with less familiar people and people will label something “political” as an excuse not to discuss it (ie “leave politics out of this”).
People don’t want to talk politics. And they certainly don’t want to talk policy. So what do politicians do? “Sunny ways,” “axe the tax,” “common sense,” make america great again.” Soundbites that are effectively meaningless. O’Toole wins the party nomination on policy and the willingness to have difficult conversations and within no time they have him making outhouse jokes.
Candy for idiots is right on the nose. But unfortunately there are a lot of idiots and they do love their candy. Politicians can bring smart policy and tough conversations all they want, but they’re increasingly getting fed to the dogs when they do.