Wednesday, August 11, 2004
The Wikki List of Frivolous Political Parties
Here in the States we've been taking our politics unusually seriously of late. The two major parties are probably more divergent than they've been in decades, and the struggle is taking on unusually strident, often nasty, and significantly somber tones. Which makes The Wikki List of Frivolous Political Parties all the more relevant and needed.
There's for example, the Ezenhemmer Plastic Bags and Child Rearing Utensils Party. It is reportedly a "Swedish political party with 72 members, formed in reaction against the world-wide, dead boring, political seriousness." Which is cool. "The basic idea of Ezenhemmer," they explain, "is that everybody would feel a lot better and be more in harmony with the rest of the world if we began to be a little bit more cheerful and playful instead of engaging ourselves in disputes with our opponents." I couldn't agree more. On the other hand, the sense of humor and playfulness they describe puts both to an extreme test. I quote: "Put a plastic bag over the head of an obnoxious spoiled brat and tie it securely around the neck, and he will show signs of submission and good manners in some 15-20 minutes time". :-)" Yes. Funny all right. But, well, a little politically extreme for my American tastes.
On the other hand, I find myself in tongue-in-cheek agreement with the sadly defunct McGillicuddy Serious Party whose serious policies included:
* The "Great Leap Backwards", a return to a medieval lifestyle.
* The establishment of a monarchy supposedly based on the Scottish Jacobite line.
* The abolition of money.
* The demolition of Parliament Buildings.
* Raising the school leaving age to sixty-five.
* Full unemployment.
Thanks for this madness go to Chris Dickson of the Mindsports Olympiad.
There's for example, the Ezenhemmer Plastic Bags and Child Rearing Utensils Party. It is reportedly a "Swedish political party with 72 members, formed in reaction against the world-wide, dead boring, political seriousness." Which is cool. "The basic idea of Ezenhemmer," they explain, "is that everybody would feel a lot better and be more in harmony with the rest of the world if we began to be a little bit more cheerful and playful instead of engaging ourselves in disputes with our opponents." I couldn't agree more. On the other hand, the sense of humor and playfulness they describe puts both to an extreme test. I quote: "Put a plastic bag over the head of an obnoxious spoiled brat and tie it securely around the neck, and he will show signs of submission and good manners in some 15-20 minutes time". :-)" Yes. Funny all right. But, well, a little politically extreme for my American tastes.
On the other hand, I find myself in tongue-in-cheek agreement with the sadly defunct McGillicuddy Serious Party whose serious policies included:
* The "Great Leap Backwards", a return to a medieval lifestyle.
* The establishment of a monarchy supposedly based on the Scottish Jacobite line.
* The abolition of money.
* The demolition of Parliament Buildings.
* Raising the school leaving age to sixty-five.
* Full unemployment.
Thanks for this madness go to Chris Dickson of the Mindsports Olympiad.
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