I don’t think this is appropriate for politics, however. In politics, I think it is best not to discuss motives publicly. At all. Period. Politicians should not get credit for good motives or blame for evil motives. The reason, simply put, is that the vast majority of voters do not have either the time or the energy to properly evaluate motives.

I couldn’t tell you what my own motives are for half the things I do. Even if I did know, I could be deceiving myself. Even if I was not deceiving myself, I could still be deceiving YOU. Yes, you probably could call me on it. If you knew me personally. But you don’t. And if I ever choose to run for office, you never will. Its just the way our sinful world works.

Democracies that work tend to have strong forces to counterbalance popular ignorance. Here in the US, the Supreme Court plays that role. You mentioned that the Monarchy has been useful in Britain. In both places busy voters “outsource” judgements about character to people who DO have the time to make more reasoned judgements about character – and are pilloried for it in the press. In places like Japan and Singapore, a strong unified culture can act as a counterbalance to popular passion.

TO PUT IT MORE BLUNTLY…. as an ordinary voter……Anytime any politician claims good motives as an excuse for something, a red flag goes up in my head. Anytime any politician questions his opponent’s motives, that same red flag goes up. If you want physical power over others in this world, I want to hear about results. Not motivation. You are running for Prime Minister(or President, or whatever). You arn’t running for God. If you wish to run for the office of God Almighty, I suggest you consult with the current officeholder before doing so. You might decide that the job is just too much for you.

I’m nearly finished re-reading the books for the umpteenth time. Still enjoy them – and make me think.

Something’s wrong in those countries all right. Maybe not the same things. I have no knowledge of the other countries to give a sweeping statement and encompass all. I have a number of opinions about what’s wrong in Portugal, basically lack of principles, greed, lack of accountability–but perhaps it’s the same with the UK? I don’t know.

I distrust “simple” explanations that link Southern European issues with a lack of a Protestant work ethics there. English imperialism, German totalitarianism, Dutch personal indifference, Swedish levels of suicide, Finnish alcoholism, Icelandic bankruptcy. All above the Reformation line. Drug use, abortion, violent crime, homosexuality. So, if we’re in the business of drawing fault lines, we perhaps need to draw them carefully–and not all would coincide with the divide between the Catholic and the Protestant. Much as this Southern European Protestant would like it to be so.

As to coalitions… perhaps what makes it weird is the campaigning? Mud-slinging, talking of differences which… perhaps aren’t really there? What you believe matters, but I have a mind that for politicians being in cabinet and all that it entails (financial rewards, public recognition, escaping death through fame) matters more than their particular views on welfare and the economy.

And your books are great, Kindle owners shouldn’t pass the chance of reading one for free!

Holly