Supposedly we live in a 'democracy'. Yet it seems laws are made and wars are started without consulting the public at all. Have YOU ever been asked your opinions on any proposed policies?
2007-01-26 02:08:13 · 26 answers · asked by Buck Flair 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Um, actually I live in the UK. Perhaps I should have mentioned that.
But... this is supposed to be Yahoo! Answers UK & Ireland....
2007-01-26 02:41:42 · update #1
we actually live in a democratic republic, which means we elect officials to make the right decisions for us.
2007-01-26 02:13:11 · answer #1 · answered by Shellular Kellular 6 · 7⤊ 3⤋
Actually, we live in a republic. And our political system can best be described as a representative democracy. That means that we vote for representatives and empower them to make decisions, determine policy, and cast votes for us.
As to whether or not I have been asked my opinion regarding any proposed policies, absolutely. But let me ask you a question, when was the last time you voiced your opinion by emailing or calling your representative or senator?
I think that is where the responsibility rests in a representative democracy. And sadly, that is where we the people, have dropped the ball.
2007-01-26 02:20:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You're right about politicians' decisions being made irrespective of public opinion - the good side of that is that public opinion = rupert murdoch's opinion 1 week ago.
But I would not be surprised if the majority feels the way you do - if that is so, all should vote for a "always consult public opinion on all issues" party - it would be good if such a party existed and had a real chance of winning the elections
2007-01-26 03:47:25 · answer #3 · answered by profound insight 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The UK is a democracy in only that we can elect the government after that it becomes a beaurocratic dictatorship staffed by supposedly educated people who are supposed to run the country with the aim of bettering the life for it`s citizens but instead line they`re pockets out of our taxes.
Unfortunately The previous and present government have failed badly in all accounts, with NEW LABOUR being by far the worst of a bad lot with all they`re sleaze, corruption and war mongering.
TONY B LIAR has promised several referendums since he came to power, we`re still waiting for them
2007-01-26 03:43:24 · answer #4 · answered by Jacqueline M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm surprised that your name didn't give your nationality away!
However, in response to your question...
ha ha ha ha ha........NO.
The general public voted in the current bunch of crazies and until such time as they vote them out again we are pretty much at their mercy.
I volunteered to be a member of the local council's forum group a few years ago(they came round asking for people to voice an opinion).At first it was face to face but when they didn't get the answers they were looking for they changed the format to a biased multiple choice document that meant that unless you just refused to answer the questions you gave them the results they were looking for by default. So you see even when they ask they manufacture the answers-and that's at local level!
We Brits are notorious for not complaining. It's about time we started-and loudly too!
Let's hope that at the next elections people vote with their X in different box.
2007-01-26 03:38:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nobody would ask me, I'm English. Shellular is quite wrong, we are not a republic, we are a kingdon. No doubt we shall very soon become the Peoples Democratic Republic of Great Britain, just like China and North Korea. Lucky old us.
2007-01-26 09:31:38 · answer #6 · answered by Beau Brummell 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do not recall being asked at all. Its our democratic right to vote,that's it, as far as this Government is concerned.Until the next election, we have to accept whatever this incompetent Government thinks is right for the country.As we have seen,Tony Blair along with the rest of his "cronies" have their own agenda, which does not include public debates/referendum!!!! They will continue with the downward spiral of the UK, until we, the public decide enough is enough.Roll on voting time!!!!!!!
2007-01-26 03:22:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Last one i remember was whether we wanted to join the E.U. and that was way back in the 70is. But as we have elections every 5yrs, i guess we are asked then.
Once a government is elected, that gives them a free hand to bring in any policies they want to, providing they have an over all majority. That's DEMOCRACY or should that be DEMON CRAZY !!
2007-01-26 02:22:18 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, back on November 7th (electing representatives and voting on referendums, ballot initiatives, and proposals). But all the time, you can actually write or call your representative in government.
But we don't live in a democracy, so the point, really, is moot.
Thanks!
2007-01-26 02:14:39 · answer #9 · answered by theearlybirdy 4 · 6⤊ 0⤋
I'm asked every 2 years for my input about our REPUBLIC.Also have the ability to write Senators and Representatives about any pending legislation.
Have you ever voted? Ever read the constitution or studied it in school? You would be surprised at how much you could learn, if you only applied yourself!
2007-01-26 02:34:39 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I was asked my opinion on a variety of issues this past November. I guess they didn't teach you in school that we are a Republic. We elect Representatives to decide the issues for us. So don't go on a misinformed rant about something you fail to understand or grasp fully.
2007-01-26 02:20:17 · answer #11 · answered by asmith1022_2006 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋