On Sun, Jun 14, 2009 at 10:19 AM, Bruce Metcalf <[email protected]> wrote: > > At university, one of my professors was an advocate of the belief that there > exists a particular political personality -- a personality disorder, if you > will -- that predisposes some to seek political office in general, and fame > and power in particular. > [..] > > I fear it comes down to the fairly simple point that such personalities, > unfettered by concern for any truth but their own, are at a competitive > advantage in public elections, and especially in fundraising, which has > really become the prerequisite to the former, at least here. > > This combination leads to the widespread folk wisdom that "an honest man > cannot be elected". It does still happen, however, and they are remembered > largely for being ineffective, for their standards do not permit them to > engage in the mutual back-scratching (or backstabbing) and graft that is the > conventional way of business in government. >
If folks really wanted to usher in change they have the power of the ballot but on average the turnout is around +/- 50% here. Is it that we elect people who are but a reflection of ourselves?* * It sounds simplistic but given the apathy voters have... -- .
