Monday, July 30, 2012

Romanian Politics

So, the opposition is apparently trying to impeach President Traian Băsescu - again. They tried this a few years ago as well, unsuccessfully.

However, even though a goodly majority of Romanians want him gone, they apparently don't care about it strongly enough to actually go to the polls about it. Băsescu capitalised on the apathy by encouraging supporter to boycott the voting altogether - a better strategy, in this case, than having them show up and vote against the impeachment.

It reminds me of Bill Clinton circa '98 in reverse.  About 60-65% of Americans preferred he not be kicked out of office, which he trumpeted frequently as a show of support.  But about half of those weren't all that excited about it, and thought it wouldn't be quite terrible if he were removed.  It was more of a rule of thirds, with the middle third mildly preferring we not make any sudden moves.  I can sympathise with that, actually.  It's not quite apathy, but a kind of reflexive conservatism that says "Let's not rock the boat unless we have to."

1 comment:

  1. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.

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