The Slime of Politics
One would think that, in a working democracy, the most important consideration would be to get the citizens out to vote. After all, that is the basis of a democracy - participation by the electorate. Spain, however, is different.
Over the past week or so, a campaign has been underway on Facebook, and in various cities, with an image of Pedro Sánchez (PSOE) in red, and next to him an image of Pablo Iglesias (Podemos) in purple. Underneath, in white, "No contéis conmigo" (Don't count on me), with a hashtag, "yonovoto" (Idon'tvote). The posters have gone up in neighborhoods that have traditionally voted for parties on the left. Apparently, there's a group out there that is fed up with the difficulties of agreement between the two leaders, that have led to yet another general election.
But, no, it's not a grassroots movement. It's an underhanded campaign being led by followers of the conservative PP, to get leftist leaning voters to stay home. Traditionally, whenever there's a large turnout, the left-leaning parties get the majority of votes. For some reason, the more progressive voters don't participate in just about every election, though the conservatives, do. The person responsible for distributing the ads on Facebook is a political consultant that assures everyone it was a personal initiative. But, with all the attacks happening of late on Facebook, few believe that.
Meanwhile, at a Vox meeting this week, there was a slight altercation. There seems to be a contest among some of their followers as to who is more Spanish. Or, that is what can be assumed from the fight. One true-blue patriot quarrelled with another, yelled, "I'm more Spanish than you! You look like a monkey!" and then proceeded to hit the less-than-true-blue patriot with his Vox sign. What an edifying scene.
So, this is how low we've fallen here in Spain. In the meantime, all the surveys show that there is no clear majority anywhere. The only way we'll get a working government is for all the parties on the left to join together without quibbling. The parties on the right don't even reach that. Left-wing political parties agreeing on something as important as forming a government? The reason there are so many, is that they are so democratic over tiny issues, that they splinter off each other to create new parties. Mas País is a new splinter party of Podemos, for example, which was formed last month. Basically, they have the same platform, and the same ideas. They only differ on such small issues as to be risible.
What will happen in the coming months? Probably another election at the beginning of the year. In the meantime, important legislation is not introduced, the budget is not renewed, and the country bumbles along as well as it can. Now, more than ever, EVERYONE has to get out and vote this coming Sunday.
Over the past week or so, a campaign has been underway on Facebook, and in various cities, with an image of Pedro Sánchez (PSOE) in red, and next to him an image of Pablo Iglesias (Podemos) in purple. Underneath, in white, "No contéis conmigo" (Don't count on me), with a hashtag, "yonovoto" (Idon'tvote). The posters have gone up in neighborhoods that have traditionally voted for parties on the left. Apparently, there's a group out there that is fed up with the difficulties of agreement between the two leaders, that have led to yet another general election.
But, no, it's not a grassroots movement. It's an underhanded campaign being led by followers of the conservative PP, to get leftist leaning voters to stay home. Traditionally, whenever there's a large turnout, the left-leaning parties get the majority of votes. For some reason, the more progressive voters don't participate in just about every election, though the conservatives, do. The person responsible for distributing the ads on Facebook is a political consultant that assures everyone it was a personal initiative. But, with all the attacks happening of late on Facebook, few believe that.
Meanwhile, at a Vox meeting this week, there was a slight altercation. There seems to be a contest among some of their followers as to who is more Spanish. Or, that is what can be assumed from the fight. One true-blue patriot quarrelled with another, yelled, "I'm more Spanish than you! You look like a monkey!" and then proceeded to hit the less-than-true-blue patriot with his Vox sign. What an edifying scene.
So, this is how low we've fallen here in Spain. In the meantime, all the surveys show that there is no clear majority anywhere. The only way we'll get a working government is for all the parties on the left to join together without quibbling. The parties on the right don't even reach that. Left-wing political parties agreeing on something as important as forming a government? The reason there are so many, is that they are so democratic over tiny issues, that they splinter off each other to create new parties. Mas País is a new splinter party of Podemos, for example, which was formed last month. Basically, they have the same platform, and the same ideas. They only differ on such small issues as to be risible.
What will happen in the coming months? Probably another election at the beginning of the year. In the meantime, important legislation is not introduced, the budget is not renewed, and the country bumbles along as well as it can. Now, more than ever, EVERYONE has to get out and vote this coming Sunday.
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