I think many despair at the futility of voting. All we seem do is elect what David Steel MP (then) correctly described as rotating dictatorships. He pinched that I think from a quip made my George Bernard Shaw in the thirties. As one character said: 'Don't vote: It only encourages them.' One only has to read the 'correspondents' columns in the conservative Daily Mail to see the despair at having voted for the present regime.

As in Britain so in Spain...

It really doesnt matter who you vote for at the end of the day you still wind up with a politician...

3 quotes...

"Politicians are like seagulls. They arrive from out of nowhere in a fluster, squawking, sticking their beaks in.... crapping all over everything and then flying off leaving a mess."

"Politicians are like nappies / daipers...They should be changed frequently, and for the same reason."

Billy Connolly: 'Anyone who wants to be a politician should be automatically barred from being one.'

I will however make one exception; The PSOE unfortunately won't go for it but... how about some young blood at the top...

Carme Chacon for Prime Minister...

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"Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys." -- P.J. O'Rourke, Civil Libertarian

 

All the more reason for citizens to collectively strive for a system of accountability and transparency from their leaders, no matter what political party is in power, with effective consumer rights that remain independent of political interference.

The price of apathy towards public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.    Plato

The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world's problems.       Ghandi

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All the more reason for citizens to collectively strive for a system of accountability and transparency from their leaders, no matter what political party is in power, with effective consumer rights that remain independent of political interference.

Somewhat tongue in cheek I have to ask...

What...like they do in the UK??????

The situation in the UK has deteriorated to such an extent since the Thatcher regime that it really is a case of...

"Meet the new boss... same as the old boss."

Just my opinion of course; I despise all politicians. Only ever had time for one and that was David Penhaligon and he's a long time dead.

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I too despise politicians, except as you do foxbat, for one, that it was grudgingly admitted, was right in most respects:- Enoch Powell, rest his soul.

All politicians of all persuasions, wherever, should be made accountable. This isn't a competition about who is the worst!

As for transparency, just one of the reasons quoted for registering on the padron has been described as this:

But you also must know that depending on the number of individuals registered in the Town Hall, we receive from the Junta de Andalucia and the Government the economical support.

Fair enough BUT....the question to ask however is how transparent are those allocations of monies? Where is it actually spent? What proportion benefits the community as opposed to self interested parties (salaries of officials etc) How effective are the courts of justice, the police, etc. Are details available for review by the general public or reported on an annual basis? etc etc you know the sort of thing......... Until the "powers that be" are made accountable and the system becomes more transparent then the abuse that exists in Spain (the EU, wherever) will never be resolved.

If this doesn't shock you nothing will. I am researching an article: Look at these findings:

Only 6 percent of the European Union’s electorate say they have a great deal of trust in their government. 46 percent say they have little trust whilst a third say they have no trust at all in their political elite. Less than one in ten (9%) think their politicians act with honesty and integrity.

Still wondering why most of us refuse to give credence to a bunch of self-serving unrepresentative discredited crooks? Taking part in the charade only lends it legitimacy.

What's your solution for Spain and the EU Mike?

The Party: A new party called the Party of National Representatives (PNR). This unique national party allows each constituency’s electorate (not a constituency party) to put forward several popular candidates.  

This would probably result in chaotic selfish disorder as each constituency would probably only look to its own self interests and be unwilling to take difficult decisions relating to the whole country. Isn’t this exactly the situation in Spain as local town halls do their own thing, bowing to self interested parties within the community with little regard to the laws of the land?

No, local area representation would be complementary to it; separate issues. Basically it is government by referenda or plebiscite; Most governments don't like it for obvious reasons. Hungary however is introducing it.

It is easy to pick theoretical holes in anything. You asked my solution; there it is. Carry on with the present discredited regime and it is Carry on up the Kyber   ...   or are we already up it? Definately time for regime change; Britain's. But, I have work to do. Discourse is the preserve of the retired.

I do understand the frustration Mike. I think it's what we all feel right now. But thanks for your take on things.