Do you think we deserve the politicians we have?

Question

Everybody complains about politicians and yet it is us, the citizens (if you live in a democracy) the ones who put them there, either by voting for them or by simply being indifferent to the process. Would anybody really vote for someone honest? Someone who came out and said we have to make sacrifices to reduce our debt, improve our invironment and make our health care sustainable? And that to do all this we'll have to raise taxes, quit all the porking and that things will probably get worse before they get better? Be honest. Would you vote for somone who, for example, said that you'd have to pay the real cost for your SUV and your suburban lifestyle?

Answer 1

We absolutely deserve the politicians that were elected. Because if people don't get out and vote, this is exactly what you end up with. Morons...on both sides...

Answer 2

Aristotle said that the type of government you have will reflect the type of citizens you have.

Therefore: if you have a corrupt government, you are more likely to have a society built on corruption.

Once your in government, it's all about knowing how to play the power game.
If you like reading, read this book: "The Power Game: How Washington Really Works" by Hendrick Smith.

A lot of the reasons why MPs (for Canada) or Congressmen (for the US) don't satisfy or particular cater to their constituence is because of party discipline. They all promise the same thing, but once your inside the government, you are a b*tch to your political party. A lot of politicians go into government with honest feelings of satisfying their constituence, but come out as dirty as the rest. This is why I'm non-partisan and I would never be a representative politician because I can't promise things I won't be able to deliver.

Answer 3

I feel that if people vote certain people in then its the power of the people and I really don't have a problem with it. People tend to complain about whose really in office but I have yet to feel the so called "consequences" of any quote on quote " bad president." I still have a roof over my head, I've never gone without food or anything etc, so I'm not going to complain. Its individuals who don't vote who are always complaining. I feel that a lot of politicians lie to appeal to people but this is something they have to do. Its all a business and whoever "sales" the best idea wins. That's just the way its been and the way its going to continue to be.

Answer 4

Hmm I have heard this question before and always found it interesting.. Its answer is subjective. How involved are "we" in understanding their position alignment, their action and role OUTSIDE of the election spin cycle that takes place a month before elections? Are "we" writing our politicians with expectations of fiscal responsibility, environmental issues and health care or are we "blaming them" for our problems? We deserve the politicians we have for so long as we still have a democractic system of checks and balances where the cheating of the system does not completely obscure the actual results.

Question is reasonable, if our interest is only self preservation, how are we to remain competitive? We can do better and we must do better. We are creating a class system that divides our nation into the "haves", and a widening class of "have nots" with a narrowing middle class.

I moved recently from Colorado to Ohio and do pretty well for myself, but I also know that we are only as good as we are able to create a good income and care about our community. We pay exactly double the taxes we did in Colorado, but the school systems are much much much better resourced. We are getting value for our dollar.

Answer 5

No, we do not deserve the politicians that we have, a $3000 raise for themselves and zilch, notta, nothing for the working poor in this country. Would I vote for somebody that said that they were going to raise my taxes, sure, if I could trust them to spend the money wisely. I don't think a bridge to nowhere Alaska is a good investment for the country.

Answer 6

I think we deserve the lawmakers we have if we don't vote. It kills me when people gripe about who the president is and when you ask them they say they didn't vote. But I think people wanna hear what they want to hear from a politician; you're right. Most wouldn't vote for the politician with the best message. I would like to think I would, but if he didn't have a chance to win I would probably vote for the lesser of all the evils who COULD.

Answer 7

Yes, much of the public is stupid and stubborn. They deserve what they are getting. There is a good chance a nuclear device will be denotated soon. The USA is now severely in debt, and will have a bad economy for at least the next decade.

Answer 8

No. Ultimately people care about themselves. They may cloak this with platitudes about what they think society needs, but they're really talking about themselves.

This has been made completely obvious by the vitriol being spewed about gas prices. Well the liberal environmentalists have wanted gas prices up for years to cut back on driving, but now they're mad. The non-enviros are mad as they don't want to have to trade in their SUV. Therefore, it must be evil corporations and/or Bush's fault. It's ridiculous.

Answer 9

Hallelujah! An American that is starting to think outside the 'herd mentality'! Do it, and you'll have earned the respect of the world again. Being the only superpower, your 'self denial' affects everybody else, too.

Answer 10

Probably
I wonder what the founding fathers would have to think if they were able to comment on how their country turned out. Or all the people who died to keep this country free.
Does power lead to corruption or corruption lead to power?
Sometimes people act like sheep headed to the market or ostriches with their head in the sand