Nisman Dead!

[Redbeanz]

Icelander, I think the "buying votes" concept is much more basic and immediate than mere gasbag politicians' pandering promises. It took me some years before I really understood that "buying votes" actually is a quid pro quo, with the gift coming at the actual time of the election. This helps: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BCsCNHDSUPI

 

[ajoknoblauch]

In any event, China is the new patrón, and Argentina is their peón.

 

[Irelander]

The infant mortality thing was your analogy. Not mine. I was just using it to explain a concept but apparently it was a futile attempt.

Yes, I still don't understand your assertion this government directs its policies to benefit "ONLY those who voted for them" (your emphasis). Where is the evidence of this conditionality?

To varying extents, clientelism is a feature of all democratic systems. All politicians will naturally pander to their electorates. If indeed it is "bribery" - then surely all politicians are equally culpable. That essentially is my point.

 

[fifs2]

Agreed...be it fridges or beer or reducing infant mortality or corporation tax...it is all bribery. The difference may simply be that the short term gratification of receiving a fridge on election day will actually motivate someone to go put an X on a ballot paper...the long term hope of some aspiration of an improved health service may leave voters lying in their beds.

 

[Pensador]

D'Elia - 25 manguetes for the pibes to turn up at a demonstration.

That said, it's laughable to listen to someone from the US gas on about democracy which has been sold to corporations, lobbyists and private interest groups. The KoCks have decided they will spend almost 1bn USD on buying, sorry, influencing the next election. So, to listen to "pensador" chirp on about caudillos and social spending is ludicrous.

Glass houses and that....

I really don't think you understand the first thing about politics and voting in the United States. My guess is you listened to or read some non sense and filed it away in brain as fact when it was NOT fact. There is a huge difference between marketing a message to sway voters and actually bribing or paying them. Of course I would not expect anything less from an Irish man.

 

[ajoknoblauch]

I really don't think you understand the first thing about politics and voting in the United States. My guess is you listened to or read some non sense and filed it away in brain as fact when it was NOT fact. There is a huge difference between marketing a message to sway voters and actually bribing or paying them. Of course I would not expect anything less from an Irish man.

I actually agree with you on this. All the Koch Bros' big bucks didn't help the Mittster much in 2012, but it did influence Republican obstructionists in Congress. Peronism and Republicanism have a great deal in common, but they work at different scales.

 

[Bajo_cero2]

Let's go back on topic!!!!!

 

[nativexpat]

I don't like Cristina at all. In fact, I routinely tear down posters of her in my neighborhood.

You are my hero. You made my day.

 

[polostar88]

Could someone explain to me the concept of "bribing the poor for votes" ? I've heard this exp<b></b>ression many times, and I just can't understand the logic, except from a standpoint of absolute contempt for democracy. By what reasoning can it be wrong for a politician to promise poor people (or any citizens for that matter) that by voting for him or her, their conditions will improve?

Tammany runs deep in the veins of your people I see. It's nice that people bring up Ellis Island and the Irish as American immigration "success stories." Your people really enriched the USA!

 

[Matt84]

Peronism and Republicanism have a great deal in common, but they work at different scales.

How so? Please not ironically, or mean, just what have Peronism and any kind of Republic-anism in common?