Are American politicians dumber and more obnoxious than politicians in other western democracies?

I've traveled to Canada, New Zealand, Denmark, France, Germany, Spain, Belgium, Holland and spent two years living in the UK. I followed politics closely in these countries and I also tracked the quality of media reporting.

What I noticed, was that the level of debate between left and right-wing politicians was highly evolved. What I noticed is that the "right-wingers" in these countries are a thousand times smarter than our own right-wing and furthermore, the level of dialogue was highly sophisticated. And sadly, I also have to say that the left-wingers/center-lefters are smarter and less polarizing in these countries than our own.

What I also noticed in these countries is that the populace tends to vote more along the lines of qualifications , intelligence, and record rather than voting on personality and brainless populist/emotional appeals.

Finally, nobody is above the law in these countries, everyone is closely scrutinized and the smallest scandals resonate deeply, whereas in our country people get rewarded for f*cking up. Every week, guys like Blair have to go before Parliament and get roasted on live unedited/unscripted TV and nobody wants another Maggie Thatcher.

So what's wrong with us and how can we change the dynamics here?

I'd say yes

It isn't public service or reverence for historical or future democracy. It's opportunism, plain and simple. That does not require a great mind, civility, or tact. Just a big mouth and a set of brass balls.

...while making policy for the few who give them lots of money, usually corporate interests.

However, I think in general there are good and bad in them all ... I'd guess in the same proportions.

We've just gone through a spell where "our" crazies have been very prominent.

It's the citizen's uncritical approach to them that is dumber.

Europe and the British Commonwealth have traditions of the Government really being in charge. They also have a long history of professional politicians, almost a political class. In the US we have a tradition and goal of part time lawmakers who spend only part of their careers in public service.

The other part is the respect with which the Government is held. The professionals (civil servants) actually matter. When the Government makes a policy decision, its followed. In the US, most of us are in some part contemptuous of our rulers, and sneer a lot. Part of the is the cult of the individual, a very strong American trait.

Our pols are different, because the US is different. I would be hard pressed to say that the Clintons, Bushes, Carter, Reagan, Gingrich are stupid people, just that they operate in a different environment.

As for scandal resonating deeply, I think you have that backward. Plame, Berger, & Lewinsky would never have come out or for that matter the Congressional page scandal.



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