Reply to: Froggies getting a dose of reality

[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.

[Mich the Tester]

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

ftfy

[BrilloPad]

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

[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.

[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...

[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

[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.

[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.

[doomage]

As he points out though, we in the UK are little better off really. If there's optimism here then maybe people have their heads in the clouds.

It doesn't cost anything to smile and there's Halloween and Bonfire Night and Christmas to look forward to.

And of course there's the general satisfaction of not being French...

CUK Christmas Parteee?

Feck the French. Every new generation has to learn all over again what it means to elect socialists.

I'm optimistic about the UK, without my head in the clouds.

+1. Things ain't as bad as they seem. And I think there's a glimmer of common sense in some government circles.

What a nice positive thread. In CUK general of all places!

I've heard it said, false hope is better than no hope at all. At any rate, sun is shining today, it's all good.

[escapeUK]

Shock horror Socialism doesn't work.

With all our parties being socialist what are we supposed to do.

[Robinho]

Shock horror Socialism doesn't work.

[sasguru]

.

I'm optimistic about the UK, without my head in the clouds.

+1. Things ain't as bad as they seem. And I think there's a glimmer of common sense in some government circles.

[nomadd]

Feck the French. Every new generation has to learn all over again what it means to elect socialists.

I'm optimistic about the UK, without my head in the clouds.

+1

What the fook did the French expect? You refuse to speak English, you're finished.*

* Except if you are a Bob.

[Doggy Styles]

When the socialists won the last French election I remember saying (along with lots of others no doubt) they would find out the hard way that a country gets the leaders it deserves. Seems like the truth is dawning on them now.

French and British national moods a world apart

As he points out though, we in the UK are little better off really. If there's optimism here then maybe people have their heads in the clouds.

Feck the French. Every new generation has to learn all over again what it means to elect socialists.

I'm optimistic about the UK, without my head in the clouds.

[mudskipper]

CUK Christmas Parteee?