Why are Western Female politicians so disliked?

[Machiavelli25]

I suddenly realised that there's not a single female western politician that i like.

Thatcher, Merkel, H Clinton, Sarah Palin, all the female UK labour mps... there's not a single one (at least who rose to a prominent role). Is this my inner chauvanism? Am i alone? Are we all secretly chauvanistic or are they really that bad? Its as if i find something almost distasteful about a powerful female. I suspect Freud would find this all pretty interesting.

Strange.

[Thorn777]

Many people like those as well, but a dislike for politicians in general is a healthy feature IMO.

Merkel is very popular in Germany btw.

[Enemy of the State]

Thatcher was kind of cool...

[Machiavelli25]

I hate Merkel full-stop, though i liked Thatcher's philosophy. There was just something about her i can't stand. I'm quite worried about this.

I hope none of my female acquaintances are members of this forum (highly unlikely, now i consider it).

[Thorn777]

I hate Merkel full-stop, though i liked Thatcher's philosophy. There was just something about her i can't stand. I'm quite worried about this.

I hope none of my female acquaintances are members of this forum (highly unlikely, now i consider it).

OK shes but ugly, but even I as a social-dem find her to be OK for a con.

Thatcher is IMO just scary, more due to her politics as to her looks.

Yes we have allready reached the point of rating the looks, but why do you "hate Merkel non-stop" otherwise(are you German)?

[Ragabash]

Angela Merkel is very well liked in Germany and I find her quite a capable politician and statesmen. Thatcher made simply some quite poor economic and political -decisions, namely failed privatisation of state ownership, taking money off from essential social programs and facilities, as well as distancing U.K from the rest of Europe when others wanted more economical and political cooperation. Thatcher also made sure (although unintenionally) that U.K would remain as lesser partner with America after it was clear that Cold War was not going to last much longer. Hillary Clinton's image on the other hand was simply painted as it was by the mainstream media (not that I agree much with her ideologies or policies myself), and Sarah Palin is simply a nutjob like Rush Limbaugh and Ron Paul.

There are plenty of respectable and decent female politicians.

[Каие]

I can safely accredit the apparent absence, in the minds of some people here, of good female politicians entirely to ignorance. If you have done your homework, and are politically aware, you'll find plenty of female politicians from the last few years who are worthy of respect, or were competent, or are generally well liked.

In the UK for example. In the Labour Party there's Dianne Abbot, when she made fun of that dunce Vaz, for kissing the arse of Alan Johnson, future PM. I found that pretty funny. Vaz is a condescending twit. Gwyneth Dunwoody. Transport Committee Chair, fierce government critic, and veteran MP. Died in 2007. I liked her way of standing up for principles, which were respected by every corner of the House with the Tories and Liberals blocking an attempt by Blair to remove her. Hazel Blears. Say what you like about her, I personally hated her continued emphasis on her Northern-ness and general condescending attitude, she was a competent Secretary of State, administratively.

As for the Liberals there is Sarah Teather and Jo Swinson, I like them both, and are both capable and able politicians. Can't think of any particularly likeable Tory women though. At least not at the moment, there is the future Tory women MPs who will be something to watch out for though. For example Louise Bagshaw.

Thatcher made simply some quite poor economic and political -decisions, namely failed privatisation of state ownership

Which bits of privatisation of state ownership were failed? When Thatcher came to office the State owned utilities were crippling the treasury and were ineffective and useless, through privatisation, they became competent and highly competitive businesses improving ridiculously the communication services like BT for example. Some privatisations were over excited rushes, but most were spot on and perfect. To an extent. As perfect as private business goes. Certainly better than when they were state ran.

taking money off from essential social programs and facilities

A common misconception, but Thatcher actually spent much more in real terms than the previous Socialist Labour and Heathite Tory governments. The problem there was competence, and economic instability towards the late 80's gave the illusion that there was not enough investment. She wasn't as prepared as New Labour who basically tripled government spending from £200bn to now almost £700bn, she a bit more responsible.

, as well as distancing U.K from the rest of Europe when others wanted more economical and political cooperation.

Hmm? Thatcher's government was actually one of the most pro-EU. That was the irony. She joined the ERM, which is the closest Britain ever came to Euro membership.

[Ragabash]

Which bits of privatisation of state ownership were failed? When Thatcher came to office the State owned utilities were crippling the treasury and were ineffective and useless, through privatisation, they became competent and highly competitive businesses improving ridiculously the communication services like BT for example. Some privatisations were over excited rushes, but most were spot on and perfect. To an extent. As perfect as private business goes. Certainly better than when they were state ran.

In ideological level one can call the reforms as justified and needed but the fact remains they were many times rushed and had unanticipated effects. The selling of water and electricity assets included. Her incapability to listen and stubbornness were the reasons why she implemented much of the failed economic reforms such as "the poll tax" (I recall it was called something like that?).

I guess this is somewhat controversial issue as it impacted British differently, certainly the privatisation didn't create economic relief for those tens of thousands that lost their job in shipyards alone. The ever increased unemployment and her decision to remain beside U.S.A while alienating U.K from the rest of European community is much of her legacy.

A common misconception, but Thatcher actually spent much more in real terms than the previous Socialist Labour and Heathite Tory governments. The problem there was competence, and economic instability towards the late 80's gave the illusion that there was not enough investment. She wasn't as prepared as New Labour who basically tripled government spending from £200bn to now almost £700bn, she a bit more responsible.

Didn't she cut public education and housing programs with an iron fist?

Hmm? Thatcher's government was actually one of the most pro-EU. That was the irony. She joined the ERM, which is the closest Britain ever came to Euro membership.

She believed in EC of it's day but never wanted closer economic and political cooperation as there is today. Wasn't she also much opposed to EMS?

[Denny Crane!]

Thatcher was brilliant.

The rest are incompetent slavvering fools and that is why you dislike them. I can't speak for Europe but certainly that is the current impression of the UK and US.

[Barry Goldwater]

Eh? We don't hate all female politicians, just the incompetent ones.

[boofhead]

Meh, check out our Deputy Prime Minister (don't listen to the whole thing, she's boring as e - she's so damned condescending, it sounds like she thinks the public are 3 year olds)

[Machiavelli25]

Meh, check out our Deputy Prime Minister (don't listen to the whole thing, she's boring as e - she's so damned condescending, it sounds like she thinks the public are 3 year olds)

EXACTLY! This is a perfect example of what i was saying. She looks and sounds like a pre-school teacher. I just find this style of politics so offputting.

I understand Thatcher was a different kettle of fish, but i didnt like her either. She was too mechanical.

As for Merkel, i find her boring, unimaginative, and dislike her politics/views.

I guess i have a sexual bias when it comes to politics. I suspect lots of western men feel similarly.

[Denny Crane!]

EXACTLY! This is a perfect example of what i was saying. She looks and sounds like a pre-school teacher. I just find this style of politics so offputting.

I understand Thatcher was a different kettle of fish, but i didnt like her either. She was too mechanical.

As for Merkel, i find her boring, unimaginative, and dislike her politics/views.

I guess i have a sexual bias when it comes to politics. I suspect lots of western men feel similarly.

OKay so you don't like good results... you don't criticise a politician based upon her performance but upon how much you like their style..

Can I start a thread about why the average voter is so disliked

I don't have time to follow every politician as noted above, but if you are to have an opinin about a politicians performance or a judgement about them I'd hope it wouldn't be about their rhetorical style.

[Machiavelli25]

Fair enough. I wasnt around during the Thatcher era, so i don't have much of an opinion on her except i liked her politics, didnt like her style.

I'm not an average voter (unfortunately). Most people would describe me as mentally damaged in some way (i prefer enlightened, but nvm).

[Thorn777]

As for Merkel, i find her boring, unimaginative, and dislike her politics/views.

Well she did some relative couragous things, like inviting the Dalai Lama officially in the Kanzleramt(like the Whitehouse), which upset China very much because the setting indicates a German recognition of a possible Tibetan state, or at least the wish for one. Then she also critisized Putin and Russias lack of huma-rights/free-press very thuroughly(pretty astounishing after what Schröder did before: very close ties with fruitful economic results, but no critisism at all).

What I admire most about her is calling out the malfunctions of our current capitalistic idiocy, and espescially the UK and US role in maintaining the status-quo. And did that before the crisis as well.

You can disagree, but its not "boring" or "unimaginative".

[Gauvin]

Hilary Clinton and Sarah Palin were probably the most maligned politicians I've ever witnessed.

They both deserved some of it. The thing that got uncomfortable about Palin, is that they attacked her family. If you run for office you're fair game, but man did they ever unleash a storm on those two.

[CtrlAltDe1337]

Call me sexist, but I find listening to female politicians kind of annoying. They either have the high squeaky voice, or they try to act like a man and just seem weird and out of place.

[RomanSoldier9001]

Call me sexist, but I find listening to female politicians kind of annoying. They either have the high squeaky voice, or they try to act like a man and just seem weird and out of place.

I agree with that.Very well said.

[Wilder]

Call me sexist, but I find listening to female politicians kind of annoying. They either have the high squeaky voice, or they try to act like a man and just seem weird and out of place.

OK

[Visna]

Call me sexist, but I find listening to female politicians kind of annoying. They either have the high squeaky voice, or they try to act like a man and just seem weird and out of place.

Well, if you insist.
Call me an idiot feminist, but I think men who imply that their world would look a whole lot better if women would only speak in soft delicate voices (and only when spoken to), and of course always act feminine, should be shot into the center of the sun.