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Old 26th Nov 2019, 17:07
  #210 (permalink)  
etudiant
 
Join Date: May 2011
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Originally Posted by Video Mixdown
A ridiculous analogy.
The Maquis were resisting an amoral totalitarian occupying force who did not offer any form of democratic expression to the subjugated population - indeed they would happily murder individuals, groups or whole villages who they suspected of resisting.
We are extremely fortunate that our ancestors campaigned and fought for the right to choose a Government whom the majority believe best matches their own hopes, beliefs and aspirations. Regardless of spin and media manipulation, if they fail they will face retribution at the ballot box.
We may all wish to be governed by paragons of virtue, but they do not exist. Politics is a dirty game and always has been. To climb the greasy pole politicians of all hues need sharp elbows, a ruthless streak and powerful friends, so a free press is essential to drag their skeletons out of the cupboard for us all to examine and criticise before we decide whether or not to vote for them.
Only in places like N.Korea, China, Russia and many other African, Middle Eastern and Asian countries are the political elite free from criticism because to do so invites arrest and imprisonment - possibly torture and murder.
To quote Churchill, “No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time…”
That is a dangerous argument to make imho.
Ireland was forcibly held by England for several centuries, more gently in recent years admittedly, but coercion was always there.
So perhaps Corbyn is more consistent in his position than he is given credit for.
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