General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums"There are weathercocks and there are signposts"
Mhairi Black - the newest and youngest (20yo) MP in the UK Parliament - gives her maiden speech and delivers a powerful blow to Osborne's budget.
Her message is universal and we in the US do well to listen, I think.
Transcript here, in case you have trouble following.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/mhairi-black-speech-in-full-snp-mp-tears-apart-conservative-government-and-labour-opposition-in-maiden-speech-10389334.html
Scootaloo
(25,699 posts)Great speech, and the line you chose for the title is, ah, especially appropriate to the pressing topic on DU these days.
Igel
(35,390 posts)It's also ambiguous.
If Politician X does something the majority dislike and which we dislike, he's dishonoring democracy. The people should rule.
If he does something the majority like and which we dislike, he's a weathercock and spineless, pandering to idjits.
If he does something we like but the majority dislike, he's a signpost, full of spine and standing up for principle.
If he does something we like and the people like, then the people are wise and democracy is working.
There's a fine line in a democracy between being a weathercock and the servant of the people, between being a signpost and an imperial asshole. I don't know of a principled way of locating that line.
GeorgeGist
(25,327 posts)I hope she thrives.