tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563166645221745880.post7594555871686100818..comments2023-08-21T05:54:52.081-04:00Comments on Raise it Up: A British Rabbi reflects on the State of the Union & the political engagement of Reform JewsRabbi Rachel Gurevitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15774676663563296493noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563166645221745880.post-69617345319419802592010-02-25T10:55:42.575-05:002010-02-25T10:55:42.575-05:00Regarding the political process in the UK, one mus...Regarding the political process in the UK, one must remember that it is a parliamentary democracy, not a republic with a president/versus the house situation. <br /><br />The Prime Minister (who directs the Queen's speech) is questioned EVERY week by house at PMQs, something no President of the USA is asked to go through, and then in a calmer way is questioned by a select committee monthly. <br /><br />Hence the amount of discussion in the high street in the UK is a lot less than in the US. Why? Because the politicians are empowered to do it on our behalf. They don't always do it well, and as with all politicians party politics gets in the way of intelligent scrutiny etc etc, but one cannot deny that the volume of scrutiny directly focused on the Prime Minister and is government, and in the house is way beyond that in Capital Hill.<br /><br />Hence in the USA it is almost a requirement that the public engage. Which is better? Well in many ways I love the passion people in the USA have for their politics, as opposed to the general apathy in the UK. <br /><br />At the same time, a system where the leader of the country and their ministers are regularly called to answer and debate with the directly elected representatives has its strengths too. <br /><br />Perhaps Rabbis, of all persuasions should regular under such scrutiny?<br /><br />Many do, one way or the other - others less so.Stevennoreply@blogger.com