I was dumbfounded to learn that English Members of Parliament are to undergo "compulsory 'honesty training' to learn the difference between right and wrong".
The training, a series of practical seminars, will address scenarios such as accepting gifts and lobbying.
It is hoped the courses will help to combat the public's mistrust of the country's leaders following scandals such as MPs' expenses and peers accepting money to lobby for outside interests.
. . .
Modelling the courses on those taken by bankers, lawyers, and accountants, the standards watchdog will instil the fundamental principle that MPs should behave with ‘integrity, selflessness and honesty’.
A poll earlier this year showed that politicians are the least trustworthy professionals in Britain, behind estate agents, bankers and journalists.
There's more at the link.
I don't believe for a moment that British parliamentarians don't know the difference between right and wrong. I think the problem is rather that they just don't care about it. When they're caught out doing something they shouldn't, their apologies and excuses seem to have less to do with "I'm truly sorry" and more to do with "I'm sorry I got caught", IMHO. (They're rather like US Congressional representatives in that, wouldn't you say?)
I think this whole thing is nothing but a smokescreen, trying to persuade the British people that their politicians are quite nice people, really, who've just got caught up in things they didn't understand. If anyone in England - or elsewhere - believes that, there's this bridge in Brooklyn, NYC that I'd like to sell them. Cash only, please, and in small bills . . .
Peter
6 comments:
"Modelling the courses on those taken by bankers, lawyers, and accountants..."
Uh yeah, that will do it - NOT!
Where is Edmund Burke when we really need him?
But taking "Compliance Training" fixes everything, don't you know!
I was going to post a comment about an hour ago, but my uncontrolled laughter made it impossible.
As in the U.K, and the U.S.A., we here in Australia have exactly the same problems with the Politicians that we HAVE to elect, if we do not cast a vote, we are fined, if the fine is not paid, we lose our vehicle license.
Honest politicians?, WHAT A FUTILE ATTEMPT AT REFORMING PATHOLOGICAL LIARS AND FRAUDSTERS.
As Heinlein put it, "Man is not a rational animal, he is a rationalizing animal."
As in, "This lobbyist is promoting a really righteous cause, and the money he is giving to me will help me do good things for more of my constituents."
What made you think America was special? It's snouts at the trough over here too.
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