Why are the virtuous predominately humble and the corrupt confident?

[DerekG]

Don't get me wrong, there are wonderful people at all levels of government (Dennis Kucinich is just one example).

But why is it that most of the kind and decent people I've come across want nothing to do with power--they are raked with doubt. And then think of every boorish, vindictive, unintelligent and downright brutal human being you've encountered--you'll see confidence. They have no qualms about running for class president, school boards, governor, state senates, Congress and of course, President of the United States.

Remember the story about George W. Bush retiring for the night 15 minutes after giving his address to the nation on Iraq? He basically ordered a country to be set aflame, and probably got a good night's sleep.