The most outrageous things politicians promise just to get your vote

People tend to make rash promises, and politicians do so even more. After all, this is their main tool, especially before the elections. Usually serious-looking people in business suits talk about rather boring things. Taxes, healthcare, social guarantees. Of course, this is all important. However, speeches polished by political strategists will put anyone to sleep. In contrast, candidates from the“parallel world” periodically arise. Their programs are turning into a real political farce. Most often intentionally, but sometimes from a complete misunderstanding of the situation and, most surprisingly, the country in which they live.

1. Jon Gnarr — free towels in pools

In 2010, Jon Gnarr, the leader of the “Best Party,” became mayor of Reykjavik. A seemingly unremarkable man who found himself in the spotlight of the local press. It’s about atypical election promises. A polar bear for a zoo, a real “Disneyland” right in the international airport area. Finally, Jon promised to provide all city pools with free towels. At first glance, this seems absurd. It seems that the mayor should be doing more important things. However, behind the “towels” there was a completely different subtext.

Initially, the “Best Party” was created as a humorous response to the traditional political forces of the country. But after the 2008 financial crisis, Iceland’s citizens were frankly tired of the populists. Jon Gnarr said in a veiled way that if he won, he would deal with people’s real problems. It should be noted that for Iceland, swimming pools are not just sports sections. These are more likely places for family vacations, parties, and even corporate parties. That is, the lack of towels directly affected quite a large number of people.

2. The Lord Buckethead — Space Fleet

Literally, the name of this character translates as “Bucket-headed Lord.” The eternal candidate from any opposition forces has been appearing in UK elections for 36 years. Visit. A F R I N I K . C O M . For the full article. The face is always hidden behind a helmet, which is made of a bucket. In general, the costume definitely refers to Darth Vader from Star Wars. The political longevity is due to the fact that “Lord” was played by at least three different people.

This is noticeable by the changing voice, height, and physique. Extremely unrealistic promises remain unchanged. Last time, in the 2017 elections, he promised to create a space fleet worthy of Britain’s glorious maritime history. In addition, against the backdrop of the escalating immigration crisis, Lord Buckethead assured that he would arm all border guards with laser rifles. Of course, there was also an economic program. The main point is the nationalization of singer Adele, who, according to Buckethead, is a strategic asset of England. Of course, there is no question of winning the election. Nevertheless, every appearance of the Lord becomes an event, and each time he gets tens of thousands of votes.

3. George Wallace — Segregation forever

It was 1963, and Alabama Governor George Wallace was speaking to voters and uttering a phrase that even the press would not allow uncensored today. No swearing, pure sincerity: “Segregation today! Segregation is tomorrow! Segregation forever!” Imagine the picture: a man promises a huge multinational country to preserve racial division. All this against the background of the intensifying struggle for civil rights. The most striking thing is that many southern states supported Wallace. Millions of white Americans voted not so much for segregation as for maintaining their usual way of life. It was already clear that a return to the “good old days”, to the order of the XVIII-XIX centuries, was completely impossible. But people were afraid of too rapid changes. Just a few years later, all segregation laws in the United States were officially abolished. Over the next decades, George Wallace retracted his words, and then made a public apology.

4. Vermin Supreme — Free pony for every American

Another American politician who turned choice into a celebration of the absurd. A gray-haired man with a thick beard and a permanent boot on his head instead of a hat. No less amazing promises are added to the unforgettable image. For example, to abolish the force of gravity, because the power of democracy is quite enough for a sustainable world. Once Supreme, after listening to a political opponent, came to the conclusion that the United States has an unlimited supply of money and immediately offered every citizen, regardless of gender and age, a pony.

Why not, if the budget is bottomless and you can spend it on anything at all? These are the principles on which the performances of Vermin Supreme are based. First, something absurd or provocative, then a smooth transition to serious problems. Political satire is used to ridicule populists. While another senator is concerned about the wall on the border with Mexico, Supreme is looking further and already thinking about how to organize an impenetrable barrier against the army of zombies. One day, he offered to spend part of the budget on building a time machine. This phrase spread all over the conspiracy forums. Of course, this was presented as the words of a current high-level American official.

5. Silvio Berlusconi — Bring back the best of times

The four time chairman of the Council of Ministers of Italy has been in office for only 9 years, longer than anyone else. In our opinion, the Prime Minister is technically the second person in the country. Each time, his election campaign was built around one simple idea: Italy has lost its former greatness, so now only Berlusconi can bring back better times. Naturally, he promised to lower taxes, create millions of high-paying jobs, and accelerate economic growth. In general, I was for everything good and against everything bad. It was amazing that it worked. On the one hand, such promises are difficult to evaluate or measure.

After all, what are considered the best times? Each voter has their own answer. Politically, it’s very convenient. The appeal is not to numbers and graphs, but to emotions, nostalgia for youth. After all, no matter how you look at it, our best times are always somewhere behind us. On the other hand, the promise to bring back better times has been declared for almost ten years. However, Italy did not become great again. In any case, it did not come close to the level of influence of the Roman Republic (or Empire), whose times are sweeter here.