If you ever became a politician, would you avoid the greed that gets them in trouble?

[RiverStone]

Case in point --- Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

I just can't fathom the stupidity and sense of entitlement.

Abandoning one's commitment to the constituency that elected you used to get politicians tar and feathers. Now long trials.

I have no desire to run for office, but I have always felt I would be immune to the seduction of power. Karma ya know. I have the sense that most of us on DU have the vision, values, and ethics to not ever let that happen.

How about you? Do you believe you could maintain a steady and ethical path, even surrounded by the trappings of power, if you were elected to a powerful political post?

[Jennicut]

1. power is enticing to those who are weak and crave it

some choose not to get involved in politics to not have to put up with the slimy types. All of congress has to go around with their hands open and asking for money all the time just to get elected. The process itself is a problem. Governors seem to really be easily seduced by kickbacks.

[rucky]

5. That's the dealbreaker right there - all the fundraising it takes to win an election.

Almost assures you're sworn in with strings attached to you.

I'll pass.

[Veritas_et_Aequitas]

2. I think I could.

Not really because I'm an incredibly virtuous person. More from the fact I would be too proud to want to "stoop to that level" combined with the horrible, crippling guilt I experience when I fail my own standards. As my old confessor told me, "When virtue is missing, play your vices against each other."

[Idealism]

3. I'm reminded of a good book by Douglas Adams...

Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job

[Greyhound]

4. Impossible to do and the reason is our political system of "legalized bribery".

This number is from years ago, so I'm sure it is higher now but, a Congressperson has to raise over $14K per week, every week, to finance their re-election campaign.

Graft is the fuel that runs the whole mess.

[Not Me]

9. Looking at your avatar (Dennis Kucinich)

it's easy to see why the honest,outspoken people often can't rise to the top. Sigh.

[Greyhound]

11. Exactly, if you get in and want to retain any principles, you are relegated to one of

the various dungeons of anonymity. It makes me a little nervous that Waxman has recieved so much attention, he was my Councilman in LA and seemed honest.

Washington DC is fueled and lubricated with pure graft.

[Cleita]

6. My favorite Senator, Barbara Boxer, seems to have kept herself

free of the corruption that her fellow Senator Dianne Feinstein has involved herself in. I would keep Senator Boxer in the front of my mind as my role model should I ever become a politician. There is nothing to worry about though, because there is a better chance of lipsticked pigs flying than me entering politics.

:rofl:

[Birthmark]

7. I have no greed problem.

I don't have the attention span to want anything badly. Especially badly enough to engage in unethical, immoral, or illegal behavior.

[Fumesucker]

8. Frank Herbert had an interesting take on corruption..

All governments suffer a recurring problem: Power attracts pathological personalities. It is not that power corrupts but that it is magnetic to the corruptible. Such people have a tendency to become drunk on violence, a condition to which they are quickly addicted. - Frank Herbert Chapterhouse: Dune

We should grant power over affairs only to those who are reluctant to hold it and then only under conditions that increase the reluctance.
-- Frank Herbert Chapterhouse: Dune

[burythehatchet]

10. very nice take on it.

[RiverStone]

15. A couple of timeless quotes...

Thank you :hi:

[Lex]

12. I think most people start out with good intentions but slide over time

as they become more and more powerful.

[Greyhound]

13. In view of the current system's lack of, well everything, I favor drafting all our office

holders.

Sure there would be corruption and incompetence, but the odds dictate it would be less rampant and the lack of any possible re-election precludes much of the motivation for what we have now.

[spin]

14. The problem may be that you can't be completely honest...

and have a chance to run for an important political office. If you are perceived as an individual who can't be corrupted, the major parties will not support you as you are dangerous. You might get to run for dog catcher, but no higher than that.

[malaise]

16. I think people who were honest in school and college

remain honest regardless of opportunities. Most of the corrupt people I know were thieves from day one.

[Javaman]

17. Gimme!!! Gimme!!! Gimme!!! nt

[lumberjack_jeff]

18. Yes. That's why I'm an ex-politician.

Honest people have an uphill struggle. The shortcut usually wins.

[RiverStone]

19. Good you had the integrity to NOT abandon your values...

For something less valuable...$$$$

:thumbsup:

[lumberjack_jeff]

20. It is a double-edged sword.

People with limited principles have done significant, demonstrable harm to my town since I left.

The cynic in me saw the choice between
a) door #1 personal integrity
b) door #2 (strange as it may sound) good government.

In truth, that is how it has played out.

People with ethical flaws win more often than not. Sadly, people with ethical flaws generally don't govern well. This, more than any other phenomenon, explains why our government usually sucks.

[bemildred]

21. Politics needs to be a lot cheaper to engage in.

As long as it take a bazillion dollars to run for office, corruption is going to be prevalent.

[RB TexLa]

22. Don't talk on the damn phone.

[Johonny]

23. I would purchase only economically sound environmentally

friendly prostitutes.

[pitohui]

24. "if" i ever became a politician...it just wouldn't, couldn't happen

it's easy for me to say i'd avoid such because i avoid the whole idea of having people know my name and clutch and grab at me to get me to give them what they want/need -- that kind of attention is alien and distasteful to me

i have a friend who's a politician (unfortunately a far right whackjob) and it's a little disgusting how dependent he is and how much he wants to be liked...that psychology is something i'm not going to understand but i'm sure wanting to have money and "flash" is part of that psychology...some people want/NEED to impress others -- and those people are going to be particularly vulnerable both to entering politics and to brokering "deals"

[crikkett]

25. the sad truth seems to be that you can't get elected without selling your soul.

few who wouldn't even attempt.