Should the leader of a country be allowed to have personal business interests whilst in office?

Question

Do the leaders of our world really give a s**t or are they 'in it for the money'? Do they have hidden agendas when on official visits? Is the world of politics too lucrative an oppurtunity for the top businessmen of todays world? Should they take a vow of poverty, especially when going for the top job of PM, as to make sure that they focus on doing good for the country and not making the country do good for them? Should they be able to own and control the media???!!!

Answer 1

I do not believe they should be trying to make money on the side doing personal business while in office. I also don't believe they should be able to own any media outlets like Fox , Cnn or anything like that. But most of the time our countries leader is always under the microscope so it would be hard for him to get away with something like that. As for the media again, I believe they must stop all of these ads on tv and actually sit down with bipartisian reporters and video take an interview on each canidate and go over every single issue and from that let the public deside which one is best for the job. That is how it should be done. Also have a bank statement of public view for everyone to see where he or she is getting support from, what special interests are supporting a canidate. that will keep people honest

Answer 2

To be fair they don't get paid a huge amount if you compare it to a job in the city where most of them could work and earn loads more. If you don't pay enough, they'll end up taking bribes and back handers. And hell yes, of course they should have business interests of their , own . If they are a business man and then become PM, why should you have to give up everything you've worked for. Loads of people with jobs have separate business interests , police, judges and all sorts . Why should an MP not? As long as they declare it, there's no problem. And know they shouldn't be able to own media as there would be a conflict of interests..... Most MP's are quite poor... a lot of their wage goes to paying researchers and assistants and running their constituency offices, they don't get any money from govt. to do that.

Answer 3

So your saying that MP's should live like Monks or Nuns whilst in Office. We need to spend more time selecting them. It works both ways, do you study up on who you are voting for? If you are a good MP and get things done people are going to hate you, your life is at risk from the day you enter the commons. A reward for that has to be somewhere

Answer 4

Leading a Country has got to be a full time job and if our leaders have other business interests there will be times when they are faced with a conflict of interests. That is unacceptable. Unfortunately, although they maybe prevented from holding other employment, directorships, etc, this does not mean that they do not have other interests, directly or indirectly.

Answer 5

I'm sure they have personal agendas, and don't think that they should be allowed other business interests. Unfortunately the attributes that help idiots like Blair to get into power make them least suitable to run the country.

Answer 6

I don't see why they should not. One day they are not going to be in office and to start looking for another job from scratch may place them in some dificulty. I do not believe they should have to declare their interests but, if asked they should be upfront and honest about their dealings. I don't know about owning and controling media, own, perhaps, control, no. Allow people to hold different views from your own and express them.

Answer 7

That's one of the problems with having career politicians, it's them first, country second.

Answer 8

If he had the business before assuming office what is he expected to do!

Answer 9

You'd have to ask Dick Cheney that one. You can probably reach him at his Haliburton Office.

Answer 10

No.