There is a long-established tradition that the governments of the UK and the USA do not comment on forthcoming elections in the other country. It is a sensible tradition because, generally speaking, we are on the same side and the new Prime Minister or President will have to work with his opposite number across the Atlantic. A sure recipe for a rocky relationship is the knowledge that the person you have to work with wanted you to lose.
No surprise then that Labour has openly supported Mr Obama. It started with the Prime Minister who issued a statement praising Obama's policy platform, naturally he said it was not him when challenged by the McCain team but no head has rolled so we know he was, yet again, lying to escape the consequences of an error of judgment. Then Labour's deputy leader, Harriet Harman, criticised Mrs Palin on Question Time. Poor Harriet is such an arrogant woman she thinks she is above the rules in every sphere. And most recently the utterly pathetic Hazel Blears joined in, seeking to justify herself by saying the Democratic Party is Labour's sister party.
The only example I can recall of an incumbent American President doing something similar was when the moveable feast of slime that is Bill Clinton was less than flattering about John Major in the run up to the 1997 general election.
What is so curious is that they feel it necessary to give an opinion when it is remarkably easy to keep to the rules. If asked about a candidate you say "the election in the USA is a matter for the American people, I am sure we can work well with whoever they choose". If asked to comment on policy in the other country you say "it is not for me to comment on the policies put forward by the candidates". So simple, all it takes is a little respect for the right of the voters to make their choice. One thing is certain, for every American swayed by an endorsement there will be at least one determined to give the interfering Brits a bloody nose. Or is it curious?
A feature of politics of the left is that it is a mission to change things for the better by government activity. Taking decisions for other people is absolutely at the heart of their philosophy. Politics of the right is, or should be, based on the belief that people should be left to take their own decisions and government should decide as little as possible for them. Against that background it is, perhaps, not surprising that someone mired in a bog of "I know what's best for you" thinking will carry that view into every area. As usual it will do their cause more harm than good.
No surprise then that Labour has openly supported Mr Obama. It started with the Prime Minister who issued a statement praising Obama's policy platform, naturally he said it was not him when challenged by the McCain team but no head has rolled so we know he was, yet again, lying to escape the consequences of an error of judgment. Then Labour's deputy leader, Harriet Harman, criticised Mrs Palin on Question Time. Poor Harriet is such an arrogant woman she thinks she is above the rules in every sphere. And most recently the utterly pathetic Hazel Blears joined in, seeking to justify herself by saying the Democratic Party is Labour's sister party.
The only example I can recall of an incumbent American President doing something similar was when the moveable feast of slime that is Bill Clinton was less than flattering about John Major in the run up to the 1997 general election.
What is so curious is that they feel it necessary to give an opinion when it is remarkably easy to keep to the rules. If asked about a candidate you say "the election in the USA is a matter for the American people, I am sure we can work well with whoever they choose". If asked to comment on policy in the other country you say "it is not for me to comment on the policies put forward by the candidates". So simple, all it takes is a little respect for the right of the voters to make their choice. One thing is certain, for every American swayed by an endorsement there will be at least one determined to give the interfering Brits a bloody nose. Or is it curious?
A feature of politics of the left is that it is a mission to change things for the better by government activity. Taking decisions for other people is absolutely at the heart of their philosophy. Politics of the right is, or should be, based on the belief that people should be left to take their own decisions and government should decide as little as possible for them. Against that background it is, perhaps, not surprising that someone mired in a bog of "I know what's best for you" thinking will carry that view into every area. As usual it will do their cause more harm than good.
Posts
2 comments:
"Hazel Blears" and "minding your own business"?
You are joking, I assume.
She is the worst of the lot.
Hi FatBigot, you should have a look at this site; it's mind-blowing ...
www.HarrietHarmanSucks.Com
Post a Comment