[gwnn]

Parliamentary elections took place yesterday in Romania and I was wondering.

So 4 parties will be in the parliament and any two of the top 3 can make a majority, with or without the 4th party.

I'm wondering what parties are talking about when they're doing their little secret negotiations.

I. the best interest of the people i.e.

"please let's help the poor people from the East most"
"no no, it's more important to help the poor widows"
"erm. how about helping both?"
etc

II. trying to divide political power, functions, ministries. cynically speaking, they are looking to divide money/profit, money to steal.

III. something in between? What percentage of I and what percentage of II?

[helene_t]

If I can extrapolate from my experience from local councils, most talks will be about I), while the topics that are best at waking the members up are things like:
- "which color should we paint the parliament restrooms?"
- "which brand of coffee machine should be in the lobby?"

This is quite similar to what is described in "Parkinson's law" (he writes about the management board of an electricity company, though).

Of course it is quite possible that things are very different in big politics.

[ASkolnick]

It's funny you mentioned things like the color of the walls.

My 1st grade son was in class and they were talking about Barak Obama.

It didn't have to be that hard to discuss. Does not have to be in detail. Make sick people better, give money to the poor etc. But instead of talking about why Barak Obama would be a good leader or what he could do for the country (Not that I am a fan of his), instead the focus was on what type of dog or cat he was getting for his kids.


This is the type of stuff that worries me about education in the United States that the focus is in the wrong place.

I understand not getting into the McCain-Obama debate, but maybe I am one of those strange parents that is willing to discuss anything my son would like to. Good or bad, he is already asked about "Why do people have to die?" and what suicide is? I feel I am better off explaining to him now, so he has a better understanding down the road and is not afraid to ask me any difficult questions.

[han]

helene_t, on Dec 1 2008, 08:41 AM, said:

Of course it is quite possible that things are very different in big politics.

I bet things are indeed different in Romanian politics.

[Rossoneri]

I don't know enough about Romania to comment.

But a slightly cynical viewpoint to take will be to accept that the first can never happen in it's pure form, ie 100% of I. and 0% of II.