The proper role of government

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Thursday, November 12. 2020

The proper role of government

From AVI. Advice to AVI: Don't watch that episode - watch all of the episodes of Yes Minister.

Posted by Bird Dog at 15:39 | Comments (7) | Trackbacks (0)

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Rules for Rulers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rStL7niR7gs&feature=emb_logo

#1 Henry Jackson on 2020-11-12 16:35 (Reply)

You are a horrible person if you are recommending Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister to someone who has only seen snippets of the show and thinks it looks like an hilarious pastiche of how politicians and civil servants interact within the Bureaucratic State. I mean, sure, at first it's some of the sharpest comedy you've ever seen, but sooner or later you're going to realize the true horror of the show - it's not a comedy, it's a documentary. Before you delve into the shows, remember that what is once seen cannot be unseen and once you know how government actually operates, it all becomes horribly depressing. At first, you'll laugh because it's funny, in time you'll laugh to keep yourself from crying.

#2 Jerryskids on 2020-11-12 18:07 (Reply)

Thank you but don't worry. I haven't had a TV for 40 years and don't watch whole shows on the computer. I can see why large doses of reality would be painful, but I also know that cynicism is an inoculation against paranoia.

#2.1 Assistant Village Idiot on 2020-11-13 11:41 (Reply)

Jerry skids is right, but for someone who is completely in the dark about how government actually works the shows can be an education. For such people I would recommend both series in the hope a British sitcom might wake them up to reality.

#3 Verde on 2020-11-12 20:45 (Reply)

You’re not looking forward to the glory days of the expert? This is the existential issue of the 2020 election. All hail the Regulatory State that bypasses the representative republic.
“Der Regulierungstaat Uber Alles”, is rule by unaccountable bureaucrats, in tandem with sciency experts, whose most noteworthy credential will be advancing and promoting the "cry wolf" ideology du jour, by underhanded, sleazy means, OR any means necessary. It’s no use talking to Biden voters, the consequences will go over their heads. Even if they understood that it is antithetical to American values or even practical common sense, most would not object. Most can't get past trivial issues of persona and style. Elections have consequences, so anticipate that what they can f’up they will f’up, to the detriment of Working America and as long they are not impacted or can avoid the blowback. I repeat that the Dems don’t wish working America well in anyway, at all.

#4 Exasperated on 2020-11-13 08:49 (Reply)

yes minister and yes prime minster are an education in government, could just as well describe the USA, different titles same swamp.
That aside they are some of the funniest well written skits ever produced, even Maggie Thacher loved it as well as the queen, by their own admission
swamp out of control.

#5 dave on 2020-11-13 09:51 (Reply)

and yet Sir Humphrey is right. It is not his job to decide on the issues - that is why we have elections. Having worked for the federal government for decades, I can tell you that most bureaucrats have for a long time believed themselves to be in possession of knowledge and professional expertise greatly in excess of that possessed by their alleged masters who have suffered the electoral process, much less the idiot voters who ignorantly placed them there. There is no feedback - there is no payback for slagging the policy of a new administration - they will be gone in a few years and you will still be there. Having been instructed in the best universities that their expertise is neverfailing, they continue to do what they think is best. If they fail, oh well.

#6 fiona on 2020-11-13 11:41 (Reply)

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Thursday, November 12. 2020

The proper role of government