Froggies getting a dose of reality

[Mich the Tester]

Trouble is, most French people don't deserve this. The left united behind Hollande, while the right were split between Sarkozy and Le Pen's extremists, who then refused to back Sarkozy in the second round. What then ends up happening with their system is that 'the loser wins' if the strongest candidate fails to unite support behind him. So what they've actually got is not the government that most French people deserve, but the government that the 15% to 20% inbred cretins who voted Front National deserve.

The lesson is quite simple; moderates win elections and if you vote for extremists you'll be doing yourself and the rest of the country a disservice.

[Doggy Styles]

Trouble is, most French people don't deserve this. The left united behind Hollande, while the right were split between Sarkozy and Le Pen's extremists, who then refused to back Sarkozy in the second round. What then ends up happening with their system is that 'the loser wins' if the strongest candidate fails to unite support behind him. So what they've actually got is not the government that most French people deserve, but the government that the 15% to 20% inbred cretins who voted Front National deserve.

Maybe over the next few years France's new socialist government will be a lesson 'pour decourage les autres' in UK, Germany, etc.

[OwlHoot]

... It doesn't cost anything to smile ..

It does - Smiling uses about 50 muscles, but a scowl only needs about 10.

So looking miserable is much more relaxing

[cojak]

Trouble is, most French people don't deserve this. The left united behind Hollande, while the right were split between Sarkozy and Le Pen's extremists, who then refused to back Sarkozy in the second round. What then ends up happening with their system is that 'the loser wins' if the strongest candidate fails to unite support behind him. So what they've actually got is not the government that most French people deserve, but the government that the 15% to 20% inbred cretins who voted Front National deserve.

The lesson is quite simple; moderates win elections and if you vote for extremists you'll be doing yourself and the rest of the country a disservice.

Actually Mich, I think you'll find the lesson is that First Past the Post voting as opposed to Proportional Representation does that...

[Mich the Tester]

Actually Mich, I think you'll find the lesson is that First Past the Post voting as opposed to Proportional Representation does that...

Well yes, but in any system of voting you've got to engage your brain. That means that if you give your vote to some extremist loon that you know isn't going to get a majority, you risk handing power to the people you really don't want. If you're basically right winged it's probably smarter to vote for a moderate right winger than an extremist, just like if you prefer a left winged government for some reason, you'll do better voting Labour than Socialist Worker. Hollande gained power thanks to idiots who supported Le Pen, knowing that she wouldn't win.

[BrilloPad]

Maybe the French are preparing to lead the Southern states when Germany leads the Northern countries to Euro2.

[Mich the Tester]

Maybe the French are preparing to surrender when Germany leads the Northern countries to Euro2.

ftfy

[OwlHoot]

Well yes, but in any system of voting you've got to engage your brain. That means that if you give your vote to some extremist loon that you know isn't going to get a majority, you risk handing power to the people you really don't want. If you're basically right winged it's probably smarter to vote for a moderate right winger than an extremist, just like if you prefer a left winged government for some reason, you'll do better voting Labour than Socialist Worker. Hollande gained power thanks to idiots who supported Le Pen, knowing that she wouldn't win.

True, I do see that, but if you feel strongly enough about something then there's also a case for voting that way regardless.

In the long run it might cause the moderate right (or left as the case may be) to move their policies further from the centre, until enough people are enticed back to them from the extremes.