I Don't Like Politicians
I was reading C.J. Box's "I Don't Like You Either" post about how he came to realize that President Obama doesn't like him or the people who share his values.
And I've been picking up this sentiment from various people for a while. Pollsters will tell you that voters connect with candidates who are likeable but also candidates who are like them. I suppose, as part of that dynamic, that candidates shouldn't accidentally display utter contempt for huge blocks of voters.
But are Republicans much better? I realize that my support for limited government may be a bit more thoroughgoing than yours. But I have a really hard time with many Republican candidates, too.
Now, I don't think Mitt Romney hates me. But John McCain? Sure. He seemed to dislike everyone, right? And his views were all over the place. But as I look back -- in general -- at the politicians our country has produced in recent years, I can't help but think that something is off.
My brother and I were talking about the election recently and he wondered why so many candidates were so weak and unprincipled.
Is it just that the older I get, the more I realize how inconsistent, corrupt or unwise politicians are? Or is that our country is less capable of producing solid candidates now?
There are a few politicians I greatly admire, even when I disagree with them. But we're at a low point when it comes to developing men and women of virtue and leadership, right?
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Comments:
May '12
Re: I Don't Like Politicians
Politics is not about principles, it is about winning power. I don't think our current crop of politicians are any weaker or more corrupt than we've always had. If anything our increasing ability to scrutinize every aspect of our politicians has made them less able to get away with their weasely ways than they ever have been able to.
Edited on July 26, 2012 at 3:52pmApr '11
Re: I Don't Like Politicians
Most people of quality don't want to go through the "Buzz Saw" of politics. Keeping the personal personal is something we all do. Politics opens not only your personal life but the personal life of your family. people of character don't put other people, especially loved ones, in a position of having their character slandered without cause and reason.
Also, politics has become a profession rather than a way to help your country or community. Until it stops being a profession quality people will shy away from office. We, the voters, are in control of whether or not this profession remains in place. We do the hiring and the firing.
Dec '10
Re: I Don't Like Politicians
This is very interesting to me. In the last month I've spent some time around a few of our local politicians. Some come off as really slippery types that make the skin crawl and have you checking where the children are. Other, however, can be very surprising.
The candidate I'm supporting for my congressional district is one such surprise. I've met him on three occassions, and I've logged close to an hour and half one-on-one conversation time with him and several prayers. Even if his vision for the district is never realized, he is still the type of person I want representing me in Congress.
The bigger surprise is that the democrat running is actually a step up from the democrat who held the seat since 1977. He's voted against his party in the state senate on more than one occassion. Some legislation he's sponsored wasn't complete crap. I suppose if I have to be represented by socialist scum, I could do worse than this guy.
Dec '11
Re: I Don't Like Politicians
Politicians suck, because there is no clear existential purpose to our government. Its become a game of screw or be screwed by your neighbor.
The problem with unlimited government is that its unlimited and we have a right to have our say in its exercise. Thus unlimited lobbying. We have the right to lobby. We have the right to support candidates friendly to our interests, with our voice, time and money. All of us no matter how organized. Most of the problem people have with lobbying is that they arent winning the arguement.
The only way to lessen the influence of lobbiests and of "special interests" (aka anybody one happens to disagree with), is to reduce the influence of government thereby making the practice of lobbying moot.
Further, democratic government can only exist so long as losing is tolerable, given the self-determinative right, participation is not mandatory, thus democratic despotism will delegitimize itself.
There is nothing really to like about people trying to cobble together a coalition of interests that want to screw and avoid being screwed in a game of screw or be screwed.
Dec '10
Re: I Don't Like Politicians
Mollie
I cannot tell from your bio or from your picture exactly how old you are, but, unless I miss my guess, you are far too young to bemoaning this age. Throughout recorded history every generation has bemoaned the following generation. There are two possibilities:
2. You are full of it.
These days people babble on about how uncivil we are. Things were so much better in the past. I would like for those people to consider the years 1861-1865.
May '10
Re: I Don't Like Politicians
There is an inherent narcissism built into it. To be one of 537 elected federal officials out of 300 million people leaves little room for traits that are admirable. One either believes that he's the smartest and most capable or acknowledges that he's part of a scam. ("Hey, somebody is going to get elected and take advantage of the power so it might as well be me!")
There are scoundrels up and down both sides of aisles.
Reagan was different. He had known fame, fortune and power before he got to the White House. He didn't need that to complete himself. Which is why young men like Obama and JFK make lousy presidents.
Re: I Don't Like Politicians
Foxman: Mollie
I cannot tell from your bio or from your picture exactly how old you are, but, unless I miss my guess, you are far too young to bemoaning this age. Throughout recorded history every generation has bemoaned the following generation. There are two possibilities:
2. You are full of it.
These days people babble on about how uncivil we are. Things were so much better in the past. I would like for those people to consider the years 1861-1865. ยท 1 minute ago
This is actually exactly what I want to hear. I tend to find the "things were so much better back then" arguments laughable. Here's my favorite response to that:
Mar '12
Re: I Don't Like Politicians
Were they weak and unprincipled before they were elected?
Do they want re-election so much that they'd sell their souls for it?
Do they prize the support of their party leaders so much that they capitulate over issues that should trouble their consciences?
Is it a love of power? Rewards of some sort?
When I was in school in Missoula MT the state legislature had so badly underfunded virtually all post high school education in the state that it was possible that a stripped down, part-time curriculum would be run; or the place would run full tilt until the money was all gone, at which point the doors would be locked.
I spoke to our US Senator, I believe it was a young Max Baucus. (As an aside, I had the impression from looking in his eyes that no one was home. I hadn't seen that before and it was startling.) I asked for support that he was unable or unwilling to give.
I wonder how many of the people we elect are mentally vacant when we need them involved? How many don't really care about us?
Aug '10
Re: I Don't Like Politicians
Wakka wakka wakka!
Jun '10
Re: I Don't Like Politicians
I procured a job selling cars for Chrysler-Plymouth just out of college in 1981. The sales department was staffed by blow-dried phonies in three-piece suits (that being the fashion of the time). They spent their time stealing from customers, stealing from the house, and stealing from one another. A car dealership is a den of thieves. Later in life when I began to meet politicians face to face, I immediately recognized the type. Same people, same M.O. A politician is just a car salesman with the acumen to realize where the real money is.
Edited on July 26, 2012 at 5:01pmJan '11
Re: I Don't Like Politicians
Let me add one dimension to the question. I'm not sure whether (or how much) politicians are different these days, but the parties are much different. The parties were always vicious about one another, but the advent of mass communication, slanted 24/7 cable news, and saturation-attack-ads have exacerbated the situation in a new way.
Technology has enabled a global village, but it also enabled us to realize that we don't like about half of the people in it.
Edited on July 26, 2012 at 4:33pmNov '11
Re: I Don't Like Politicians
Are politicians really worse than other people? Or do their very public lives and unique temptations simply make their flaws manifest? If you really pulled 535 random people off the street and put them in Congress, would they really turn out to be any better, or would human nature still tend towards the same end?
I don't know if we're in a low point right now by U.S. historical standards. But by world standards -- does anyone else have a more principled, capable set of conservative leadership than we do now? Not the UK. Stephen Harper in Canada, maybe?
May '10
Re: I Don't Like Politicians
Perhaps I've set my standards too low, but I'd forgo a Washington full of "men and women of virtue and leadership" to get a Washington full of men and women who are simply likeable. My Senators -- Mikulski and Cardin -- look like they've recently bit into a fresh-picked persimmon. I see dozens of whiny, haughty, self-involved, or drama-laden members of Congress pretty much every week. I long for a stand-up guy or a good and genial woman in the bunch, but I don't see many.
Edited on July 26, 2012 at 4:45pmJun '10
Re: I Don't Like Politicians
And yet, they're the only ones that show up and make a career out of test drives with Aunt Alice, or sitting through environmental policy hearings. That's how societies have always worked. You'd think people would accept a boring political role out of civic duty, but few do it for that reason. So, you have to allow for human nature, and just keep it in check. You wouldn't last there. I wouldn't last there. Why? Because we're not busy looking for sweeteners on the deal.
Re: I Don't Like Politicians
KC Mulville:
Technology has enabled a global village, but it also enabled us to realize that we don't like about half of the people in it.
Well said!
May '10
Re: I Don't Like Politicians
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.
KC Mulville:
Technology has enabled a global village, but it also enabled us to realize that we don't like about half of the people in it.
Well said! ยท 7 minutes ago
Actually, KC goes to the penalty box for two minutes for unnecessary cliche-ing "global village."
Nov '10
Re: I Don't Like Politicians
This is a great thread! I find myself constantly trying to explain to younger folks how a politician like Ronald Reagan could reach out and make you feel better about the future. I was a 2LT in the US Army stationed at Ft. Bragg, NC, home of supposedely the best of the best, during in the 1980 campaign. I was stuck in a misearable environment within an organization grinding itself to death due to the Carter Administration's progressive attitudes towward racial and military discipline, the raid in Iran, staged from Ft. Bragg, had just failed miserably, equipment was in tatters, I was spending money out of my $717 monthly pay for repair parts. On weekends that I could go home, I could never allow my gas tank to go below half because gas stations on interestates closed after 6pm and were closed on Sundays. But RR reached down and gave each and every soldier hope and by the end of that campaign, many of us knew he would make things right. That is what we are missing today and I am honored and blessed to have had that expereince.
Jan '11
Re: I Don't Like Politicians
EJHill
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.
KC Mulville:
Technology has enabled a global village, but it also enabled us to realize that we don't like about half of the people in it.
Well said! ยท 7 minutes ago
Actually, KC goes to the penalty box for two minutes for unnecessary cliche-ing "global village." ยท 4 minutes ago
I was trying to prevent a breakaway.
Jun '10
Re: I Don't Like Politicians
I run both ways on the likability thing. I tend to apply the "would I like to play golf with them" test. Looking at the presidents since Eisenhower, here's how they rate:
Obama: No way, no how. He's the kind of guy who needles the other players. After each hole, you'd have to listen to his story of how he played on the last hole. F.
GWB: Yes. A genuinely nice guy. He'd compliment your good shots. A-
Clinton: Yes, he's a self-absorbed guy, but I think he genuinely likes people (or fakes it really well). I dislike him as a politician but he'd probably tell good stories. B+
GHWB: Nice guy. I think he'd be fun to hang with. B+
Reagan: I'm not sure he played golf. As I understand it, he was actually quite reserved. But to play in the presence of greatness. A
Carter: Yuck. D-
Ford: Nice guy. B
Nixon: I don't think so. C-
LBJ: Big jerk. D
JFK: Sort of Clintonesque, but a bit too patrician. B-
Ike: My Dad loved Ike. And he might invite me to play at Augusta National. A
Edited on July 26, 2012 at 5:09pmApr '11
Re: I Don't Like Politicians
Are you talking about shady connections to Billy Sol Estes, or are you talking about Nixon-Agnew-Mitchell criminality? Adam Clayton Powell running off to Bimini?
(Nixon actually had some leadership I guess, but his virtue was sub-par.)