Black and White?

Last week, the Estonian business daily Äripäev published the results of a survey on the most- and least-trusted politicians and businessmen in the country. The 16,000 people polled ranked the people in the order below. Perhaps the results should be viewed philosophically (the good and bad in all of us), though we tend to view them as indicative of a terribly confused populace. In all cases, it’s enough to make your head spin. 

Most Trusted Politicians

1. Toomas Hendrik Ilves (Euro parliamentarian and presidential candidate)
2. Andrus Ansip (PM)
3. Mart Laar (former PM and winner of the Friedman Award)
4. Arnold Rüütel (President)
5. Villu Reiljan (Minister of Environment)

1. Edgar Savisaar (MP and head of Centre Party)
2. Villu Reiljan
3. Mart Laar
4. Arnold Rüütel
5. Toomas Hendrik Ilves
6. Andrus Ansip

1. Urmas Sõõrumaa (chief of Falck)
2. Oliver Kruuda (owner of Kalev Chocolate)
3. Toomas Luman (head of Estonian chamber of commerce and construction company owner)
4. Ain Hanschmidt (part-owner of Tallink)
5. Toomas Annus (Merko construction)
6. Jüri Käo (part owner of Estonian Railways)

1. Ain Hanschmidt
2. Urmas Sõõrumaa
3. Oliver Kruuda
4. Jüri Käo
5. Toomas Annus
6. Toomas Luman