Being a politician should be an arduous task...

[armyowalgreens]

It should be like serving in the military or Peace Corp. Nothing but absolute dedication should be accepted.

Politicians should have to make considerable sacrifices in order to be leaders. It should be hard work.


But that's not the system we have. We live in a system where politicians, who claim to be representatives of the poor and forsaken, live in multi million dollar estates and make 7 figure incomes. They take lavish vacations and many don't even bother to show up for work half the time. What actual sacrifices do these people make?

How can we truly trust that these people even give a damn about us in such a system? I don't think we can trust any of them, to be honest.

Our system is broken. Absolutely shattered.

-sigh-

[lamp_shade]

1. Well let me tell you what pisses me off. I've watched a couple of hours of the senate health care

hearings over the last 2 days. The repub senators are complaining that they can't possibly get this done before the august recess. Well no wonder. All they did was grandstand and tell personal stories and just basically give campaign speeches. This appeared to me to be purely intentional. No wonder they get nothing done.

[armyowalgreens]

2. I saw the senate on CSPAN voting on a bill to form a national corvette day.

We elect these people into office to help us. How sad is that?

[Obamanaut]

3. Yes, we elect them. And when we discover that they do not perform

as we had hoped or expected we reelect them. Repeatedly.

Might I offer this hint, which I hope is helpful. You wrote "I don't think we can trust any of them, to be honest."

Some say that adding the "to be honest" in a sentence implies that some of the things one says are from time to time less than honest. Same with "to be truthful" etc. If one builds a reputation as an honest or truthful person, then those few words are never necessary to append. The best teacher I ever had told the class this, in high school, many years ago.

Please do not take offense. I meant none.

Unless you meant that we cannot trust any of them to be honest. If this is it, the comma is not needed.

edited to add the part about the comma

[MiniMe]

8. Republican strategy meeting

[Obamanaut]

9. Miz O just came in to see what I was laughing at. Thanks. nt

[JNelson6563]

4. To be fair

you're just talking about the big dogs. Down from the world stage a few steps are state reps, local officals and the like. Take county commissioners or township/city people. Not all hail from a huge metropolis and are often unpaid, dedicated souls who really are trying to make a difference. I worked to get enough of them elected and followed things once they were, I should know.

Sure, fire away at those fat cats at the top of the political food chain but take selective aim when you're talking "politicians" for the one you hit may indeed be a true servant to the people.

Julie

[ejpoeta]

5. can't be talking about NYS..... they have spent the past 12 days pissing at each other

and refusing to do anything. but they managed to get together to figure out how to get their damned paychecks.

They should be there to actually help the people. And many start out that way, but the system doesn't work that way. Only the ones who are in it for themselves get in any position to do anything. And apparently, at least in NY, if you don't play ball they hang you out to dry.

The only true way to ensure they are there for the right reasons is not by giving them all these perks. true, they probably gave them to themselves, after all... they get to vote their raises and everyhting else. Weren't these gigs originally intended to be a person serving their country temporarily and then going back to their real job?? Under that system, they would have a reason to do the people's bidding and not the corporations and campaign contributers.

[JNelson6563]

6. Much of the country isn't NYS

or anything like it. There are so many unpaid local positions out here, it ain't funny. City commission, township board, school board and on it goes. Not claiming all these people are saints but I know quite a few in northenr Michigan who are paid nothing, attend meetings, wrestle with difficult issues, meet with people on demand (whenever they choose to call, in the grocery store, a local restaurant, etc.) to discuss those issues and, on top of all that, they are expected to attend all sorts of public stuff. Seems just about any sort of event that goes on, they are suppose to be there. Don't forget attending meetings of other groups when there is overlapping interest.

All I'm trying to say is while, yes, the big time fat cats usually suck, there is an army of well intentioned, hard working, unappreciated and often unpaid elected officials out here who aren't like that. I dare say there are even some in the various state legestlatures.

Julie--who shares the general loathing of those who such and appreciates the efforts of those who do not

[ejpoeta]

7. i applaud the ones who are there for the right reasons. and i am sure they are there

locally.