How do we make politicians (in your country) responsible for promises broken onc

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   Kangaroo_Jaseposted 11 years ago

   How do we make politicians (in your country) responsible for promises broken once elected to office.
   
   Most politicians suggest to use promises to make change and will supply these changes once holding office. Invariably, most elected leaders, renege on their promises and change to a different tact. How can we make them accountable for this, before three or four years pass for re-election?

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   nakmeisterposted 11 years ago

   In this country, we have by-elections, local government elections and elections for mayor. Voters tend to punish the government in power (who inevitably broke a whole raft of promises) by voting against them in these 'lesser' elections.
   
   Otherwise, good interviewers, the opposition parties and a vocal public all have a part to play. I particularly like it when newspapers keep track of the broken promises and make sure it comes back to haunt the politicians next time they come up for election.

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   Stephen Govoniposted 11 years ago

   This is a question that societies have been struggling with for millennium!  We have to recognize that there are two interest that are in a constant headlock.  On one hand you have the interests of the elected politicians and their constituents that receive "special interest".  On the other hand you have the interests of the governed public.
   
   There is no easy answer. The mass media outlets are corporations and they are in cahoots with big government.  This means that traditional media is able to control the way our politicians are presented to the general public.  It is difficult to know what promises are really being fulfilled or are being broken!  In the past, when a government had gotten too big and irresponsible it's people would throw a civil revolt and remove the government.  Certainly not as viable an option these days.
   
   To answer your question, the internet is our best choice right now.  It is the only medium that the general public has access to that isn't highly regulated and controlled yet. If people continue to gather in communities, share their grievances against elected leaders, and work towards action then perhaps responsibility may follow.  Regardless, it takes mass opinion to create action.  To create change, large numbers of people have to stand up and demand it.  I'm not sure there is a perfect answer but we can start here.

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   jclaffeeposted 11 years ago

   Welcome to politics. If accountability for promises made was a real option, I think it would change a lot of campains.

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   Wayne Brownposted 11 years ago

   The reason we hold elections is so that the people who have committed to carry out the desires of the people in a leadership role can implement a plan to do so.  If they fail to do that, then, we the voters, must hold them accountable.  Our two best two tools are our words and our vote.  ~WB

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   conradofontanillaposted 11 years ago

   Make politicians stick to their promises by means of the vote in regular election, and in recall election. The electorate must endorse the politician who has the capability, morals, and integrity to serve the people Better yet they must select their own candidate and sponsor him through to election. read more

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   Perspycaciousposted 11 years ago

   Sometimes the only way (though far too slow) is to not re-elect them when their term of failed promises expires.  Sadly, it is often true that by then some voters who voted for them have forgotten what promises attracted them to vote for that politician the first time around, and they get re-hooked by glib talk, flash, charisma, the familiar face, big money, and new promises the Bozo proved he isn't likely to keep this time either!

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   Credence2posted 11 years ago

   According to the American model, politicians should not make promises but instead put forth objectives. After all, even those promises made with the best intent are not successful if the other major branch of government does not support them. There is no gurantee that what is desired will be what get passed. That is true for all politicians, regardless of what they may say. Government under separation of powers within  a democratic system, that is the reality.

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