Wundayatta
“We each see our own little corner, and assume the rest of the world is somehow consistent with what we know. That may not be true.
So I don’t think anyone is in a decent position to criticize politicians. I don’t think we know what pressures they are under, nor what their motivations are, nor what the world looks like to them.”
But, indeed, this is is the problem as far as I see it. Politicians are supposed to be able to govern to ensure “the greater good” for the greatest number, aren’t they? How are they going to do that when all they are concerned about is representing thier own constituency? And yet, how can you blame them when their number one job is getting reelected? Yet, I do blame them. I think politics is a public service and a calling. I am idealistic enough to hope that those we elect to public office would adhere to the purpose stated here by John Adams:
“Government is instituted for the common good; for the protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness of the people; and not for profit, honor, or private interest of any one man, family, or class of men; therefore, the people alone have an incontestable, unalienable, and indefeasible right to institute government; and to reform, alter, or totally change the same, when their protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness require it.”
John Adams, Thoughts on Government, 1776
How is this even a remote possiblity if the politicians cannot step outside of their own narrow viewpoints, partisan politics and special interests and “do the right thing”?
First of all, they need a vision of what the “right thing” is. Then they need to agree on how to acheive it most closely. There are some good people in politics. I believe this. Is it the system that is crushing them? Is it the money? Somehow I don’t think it’s defending deeply held convictions that prevents compromise and stymies progress. It’s needing to win the point at all costs.