OK, I will give you that the "Founding Fathers" never envisioned "politician" as a career choice. They never envisioned iPods or financial derivatives either, so much of their wisdom does not directly translate into our vastly more complicated world.
Hmm, I take that back. They were all too familiar with the idea. The Aristocracy and the ruling class were pretty much that. It's just that it wasn't something that anyone could aspire to, you were born into the class.
The current hatred of politicians for becoming what we forced them to be by our voting habits I find hilarious.
The only thing that I find more funny (read: stupid) is the idea that someone that espouses to not be a "Professional Politician" would some how be magically more trustworthy or be able to do a better job.
Governing in today's world is not simple or, for most positions, a part time job. Personally, all else being equal, I would prefer some one who is trying to make a career out of public service to someone who is willing to take some time off from their career to "give it a shot".
Are there "bad" politicians, certainly. Pretty much to the exact same percentages that there are "bad" anyone elses. People are people.
So many of the things I hear people complaining about politicians are positions that the voters have molded them into.
Case in point: The current hate of Earmarking.
Earmarking is basically having a representative say: "I won't vote for your bill unless you put some pork for my state in it".
People are all "crazy upset" over a practice that has been around since people have been voting on things. The politicians, even in the last election, were bragging about their performance in this area. Using it as high profile bullet points in their campaign materials: "Senator X brought home X million dollars in federal money last year to our great state of X". Why were they saying it, because it worked in getting people to vote for them. They would work toward doing it MORE in order to have a better chance in getting reelected. Now, all of a sudden, it is a detestable practice.
I don't like Earmarks, it is short sighted to make sacrifices to the benefit of only one state. But, I knew about the practice since I started voting. I never used a representative's "Earmark total" to influence my vote either way.
I don't want an amateur doctor or mechanic, really why would I want an amateur Senator?
No comments:
Post a Comment