Reply to: oops not too clever Team George

[hyperD]

It just seemed your views were very closely aligned with the current popular, media-story-of-the-month view of MPs. I guess you'd say that's either a coincidence or that the media finally got something right!

Well, my view of all MPs and for the media to hold them into account, has, for many years, been one of abject disappointment and then eventual disinterest, rather than one off populism, as you could probably see from the archive of my CUK postings.

While power may corrupt, I staunchly refute that every MP ends up corrupted. For one thing, the power you get as an MP is not that great, so a very good man would not have sufficient temptation! I couldn't put a figure on it but I'm not sure I'd even say a majority of MPs are working primarily for their own interests. If we look past the career politicians (who are a slimy lot) I think we find a large number who are genuinely working for the good of their own area. MPs who have been in the same constituency for decades, etc.

Agreed, there's no black and white in this world. While some MPs, such as Field, Hoey, Farage, Hannan and some journalists, Dellers, Booker etc have made some headway into trying to make a difference and providing a different viewpoint, (while I may not agree with everything they say and do), the status quo is too large, too subversive, too divisive, too powerful and controlling and ultimately too great a temptation for many a career politician for it to ultimately be of benefit for the greater good of our population. And so the beat goes on, regardless of the few.

As I said before, it no longer interests me in trying to make a difference, I prefer simply to remove myself as far as possible from the crap for what my meagre life does in the big scheme of things.

But I do like to point out the folly of the unnecessary distraction that people come up with time and time again, when encouraged by the media, that there is any difference between the red, blue or yellow team.

Partisanship is merely a convenient but ultimately fruitless distraction.

[bless 'em all]

It just seemed your views were very closely aligned with the current popular, media-story-of-the-month view of MPs. I guess you'd say that's either a coincidence or that the media finally got something right!

While power may corrupt, I staunchly refute that every MP ends up corrupted. For one thing, the power you get as an MP is not that great, so a very good man would not have sufficient temptation! I couldn't put a figure on it but I'm not sure I'd even say a majority of MPs are working primarily for their own interests. If we look past the career politicians (who are a slimy lot) I think we find a large number who are genuinely working for the good of their own area. MPs who have been in the same constituency for decades, etc.

A few examples of the MP's that are not milking it

[d000hg]

It just seemed your views were very closely aligned with the current popular, media-story-of-the-month view of MPs. I guess you'd say that's either a coincidence or that the media finally got something right!

While power may corrupt, I staunchly refute that every MP ends up corrupted. For one thing, the power you get as an MP is not that great, so a very good man would not have sufficient temptation! I couldn't put a figure on it but I'm not sure I'd even say a majority of MPs are working primarily for their own interests. If we look past the career politicians (who are a slimy lot) I think we find a large number who are genuinely working for the good of their own area. MPs who have been in the same constituency for decades, etc.

[Robinho]

This is such a non-story.

The UK media/population are idiots.

[hyperD]

You actually come across as someone who decided for themselves how the world worked and then thought it would be best to stick his fingers in his ears and shout LA LA LA LA LA in case anything upset the delicate internal balance

Well, that wasn't my intention, I'm simply not interested any more in the 24/7 detritus streamed by our media. For me, at my age, it has little value in my life any more. That's all.

[Spacecadet]

Au contraire, my dear d000hg, as someone that has neither paid the telly tax for almost 4 years and has neither bought an opinionpaper in over 8 years, I find the effects of brainwashing from our fourth estate, unlike your good self, is very much a distant memory from my life. To be free from the bollocks and propaganda, one could even call it an epiphany or Revelation, which I'm sure you could identify with. Or for the nouveau technically riche - unplugged from The Matrix.

You actually come across as someone who decided for themselves how the world worked and then thought it would be best to stick his fingers in his ears and shout LA LA LA LA LA in case anything upset the delicate internal balance

[hyperD]

Except in the sense that every human being alive is self-serving, stop making such bloody silly generalisations. You've been brainwashed by the very media you complain about!

Au contraire, my dear d000hg, as someone that has neither paid the telly tax for almost 4 years and has neither bought an opinionpaper in over 8 years, I find the effects of brainwashing from our fourth estate, unlike your good self, is very much a distant memory from my life. To be free from the bollocks and propaganda, one could even call it an epiphany or Revelation, which I'm sure you could identify with. Or for the nouveau technically riche - unplugged from The Matrix.

Is everyone self serving? I'm not sure. I've seen good Christian fellows that have devoted their entire lives to helping others in need at the expense of theirs. Each to their own I guess, but as you've generalised, good luck and best wishes to them for those that care.

As far as the political scum are concerned, regardless of whether they fly the flag for Tory or Liebour, once they enter the belly of the Beast, they are tainted.

This is nothing new. It's the way of human behaviour. Has been since the dawn of society.

So when you rebuke me for saying this is human nature, I say no: there are people that don't adhere to this philosophy, such as some of my my Christian and non-Christian friends, but I can guarantee, as every initially good intentioned MP that enters the House of Commons, they metamorphose into the parasites that they are.

So, as I've always advocated, the Beast must be slain before we can move forward.

And that involves the use of piano wire and lampposts!

[d000hg]

They are ALL self-interested, self-serving troughing scum.

Except in the sense that every human being alive is self-serving, stop making such bloody silly generalisations. You've been brainwashed by the very media you complain about!

[hyperD]

Let's not descend into partisan territory here to distract from the point. All self-entitled MPs from all parties exhibit the same self-entitled behaviour.

This is the MSM sensationalising a non-story to sell papers and airtime for something that's pretty trivial, that all MPs of every colour would do and have done in the past, so let's not descend this into a distracting "anti Tory" rhetoric that our MSM would love to push.

They are ALL self-interested, self-serving troughing scum.

Once again: if you are partisan, you are part of our problem.

Big eye on you, Alf W...

[doodab]

There is still no tax on pork pies I see.

[Spacecadet]

That's what George's (or should I say Gideon's) lot say. That means they're accusing the ITV journalist, who says she overheard his aide initially refusing to pay, of lying. She was sticking by her story last time I looked.

Politician accuses journalist of lying. That usually works out well for the politician…

Actually that was Virgin's account

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20008342

[NickFitz]

According to R4 this morning, std class was full so George and aides sat in first. Aide was packed off to go and find the conducter to pay for the upgrades.
That was about all that happened, the rest is a twitter storm

That's what George's (or should I say Gideon's) lot say. That means they're accusing the ITV journalist, who says she overheard his aide initially refusing to pay, of lying. She was sticking by her story last time I looked.

Politician accuses journalist of lying. That usually works out well for the politician…

[d000hg]

I'd rather simply issue them a special "MP travel pass" which gets a 1st-class seat IF one is free. I've no problem a tiny % of my tax used to let them travel 1st, considering how much time they must spend travelling.

Hmm... a smell a poll.

[Spacecadet]

Re: oops not too clever Team George

According to R4 this morning, std class was full so George and aides sat in first. Aide was packed off to go and find the conducter to pay for the upgrades.
That was about all that happened, the rest is a twitter storm

[d000hg]

Apart from the MPs from poor families... up north we still have some of those.