Why Are There So Few Good Politicians?

1. 68

   Charles Jamesposted 12 years ago

   In another forum I had a discussion with Habee and others about why the political system throws up such a high proportion of undesireable people and so few good people.
   
   Any answers?

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   1. 61

      Evan G Rogersposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Just ask an anarchist!
      
      Government is, by definition, a small group of individuals who are granted the power by the populace to use violence and force to steal from other individuals without the threat of getting in trouble.
      
      It's a miracle this job description attracts ANY good people.
      
      Another answer is that we've let things get too nationalized. It's absolutely impossible to make everyone happy. So when decisions are made that affect 300 million people (instead of a few thousand local people), half those people are instantly pissed off at the decision.
      
      Translation: Government is designed to suck.

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   2. 80

      gregasposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Only people with money can run for offices. Most people with money are stuck on themselves and are concerned about one thing, more money. Most of these people don't really know what it is like in the "real" world, That is one reason I believe that anytime someone runs for office there should be a limit on how much personal and how much fund raised money can be spent on any campaign. The one that lasts at least knows how to manage money. That would also give someone with qualifications to run even if they aren't rich. Money is why I feel we have no good choices. My opinion, Greg

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         Dame Scribeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         +1  very powerful message there the rich don't know how it is to be poor or go poor stuck on themselves out of touch with reality yeah, I 2nd this motion

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      2. 60

         sen.sush23posted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Yes, I agree with Greg. In USA it is about the money. In other countries of the world too, it is fast becoming so. Maybe, not always personal money but definitely the money the party can raise. And the money the party can raise is bargained against undue and often illegal favors. In India we have recently seen the ruling party torn to shreds by the Media and other vested interests, who helped to get the cat out of the bag of the shady dealings of many Parliamentarians and Ministers. Yet, they still remain in power!

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      3. 61

         Evan G Rogersposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         "We need to get people who don't care about money into office", is basically what your argument is.
         
         The system is set up to reward corruption. Abolish it and start anew.

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   3. 66

      ElderYoungManposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      The second rule of Thermodynamics.  Any system that operates over a period of time experiences latency or the operation of the system becomes more chaotic, over time.  The politicians we see are nothing more than masks for the people that have been defining this system for quite some time.  It is still the same tired empire seeking type model that has failed since Nimrod's time.  We are still governed by 3 centers of power:  Spiritual-The Vatican, Military-Washington DC and Finance-London England.  Politicians are nothing more than paid help to the money changers so we see in them what the power structure wants us to see.  Now that the empires are all shaking (with the destruction of the currency and the financial system) we really aren't going to see politicians doing much of anything useful.  That's my take.

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   4. 0

      Onusonusposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      here is a good example of the media exploiting an innocent person,
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmEE61iVhCA
      And the outcome is that she quit, because of all the false accusations, vitriol, and mischaracterizations.

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   5. 60

      ib radmastersposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      The reason is the loyal party voter who lets the party choose the pathetic candidates. So the choices in the election are based on the lesser of evils, and not the best candidate for the job.

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2. 60

   sen.sush23posted 12 years ago

   One reason maybe again the perceptional one. In general, we do not think of politics as a honest 'profession', whatever may be our expectations of our political leaders. The 'trade' has got such a tainted, bad name that no honest, man (or woman) of dignity will opt for it as a career, if he or she can avoid it. Even if they do, I suppose they get no motivation to continue, for try as they may, they will not only have to push against the paradigm and to be able to have any power to wield change, they must first give in to the same corrupt machinery and loose their 'virgin' innocence.
   This is definitely an oversimplification- but just a starting thought.

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3. 84

   gmwilliamsposted 12 years ago

   Yes, there are sincere politicians.  However the political machine, particularly in the United States, is a system which rely upon the corporate powers, the lobbyists, and other machinations.   The politician must depend upon the powers that be i.e. corporate and lobbying sponsors to be elected. 
   
   Politics is a game to be played.   A politician that elects often to show some type of integrity and to think independently does not last long in the political arena.  Of course, there are politicians who are independent thinkers who show integrity; however, their road is difficult and onerous to say the least. 
   
   Many politicians furthermore view the act of politics as celebrity.  They really are unconcerned about their constituents but view politics as a game of power, a career move, and a chance to be seen.   They use politics as a means to become famous and well-known just like an actor and/or any other entertainer. Their contention is that the more people, especially powerful people, know them, the smoother and more prestigious their political careers will be.

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4. 75

   lovemychrisposted 12 years ago

   Honestly...and this is HONESTLY....if they don't "go along", they are politically destroyed, or murdered.
   
   McKinney: destroyed
   Wellstone: murdered
   
   Stakes are too high> Too many secrets to tell> Too much MONEY involved.
   
   I like a lot of Dems right now....WE need to help root out the rot! How, I'm not really sure...

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5. 59

   logic,commonsenseposted 12 years ago

   These days you have to be a salesman to get elected and there are very few really honest salesmen.  Most candidates are driven by the power and the prestige of the office rather than being driven to serve the electorate.  Being a legislator was never intended to be a career, rather the founding fathers perception was that you served a term and then went home to a 'real' job.  That gave others the opportunity to contribute.

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6. 75

   Shanna11posted 12 years ago

   What makes a GOOD politician then? I'm possibly considering a career in politics with the (perhaps very naive) desire to try and change things. You people are rather gloom and doom about politics.
   
   Part of the issue may be the way Congress (for example) is structured. Nothing gets done because those in Congress have to balance getting re-elected with getting things done. They have to cater to those back home who elected them. If they appear to be compromising, they're giving something up that their constituents may want. So they don't compromise. They constantly add Pork Barrel Legislation that wastes money and time so they can get re-elected, otherwise they lose their jobs.

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      logic,commonsenseposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      But if you do what's right, you don't worry about getting reelected.  You do the right thing and let the chips fall where they may.  We need to clean house and elect those that are interested in serving the electorate, rather than themselves.  Then a more honest exchange of ideas will take place and the dirty deeds that are not done dirt cheap will soon fade away.

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      sen.sush23posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I agree Shanna. It is the same in most democracies. That is the bane of democracy- you have to fit into the bill of your electorate. But times require thinking out of the box, being a bit radical and at times going for the harsh step that would benefit the country/people in the long term. Our political leaders are too concerned about the term end polls and less so about what they do while they stay in power.

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7. 86

   Stacie Lposted 12 years ago

   If we take the money out of politics,like banning lobbyists, limiting terms,and limiting political contributions,then maybe we can get some honest workers.They have forgotten their roles;they work for us.

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