Ooh no, we can't do THAT!

Bernie Ecclestone has come in for some stick over his views on democracy, dictatorship and Hitler. They are certainly - as reported - somewhat extreme but this should not be allowed to disguise the fact that there is a kernel of truth in there. The main problem with our democratic model is that politicians are generally far more concerned with their prospects of re-election than in doing what the country needs. This results in populist short-termism, which in the long run benefits nobody - except possibly themselves. Dictators don't have to worry about re-election and can therefore make unpopular but necessary long-term plans with impunity. The fact that this is - to use Al Gore's phrase - an inconvenient truth, should not prevent it being brought out into the open for discussion.