Understanding Politicians
Pity the poor politician. We give them such a hard time. Perhaps the problem lies with our lack of understanding of a representative democracy and what a politician really is.
In a representative democracy, politicians (like lawyers) represent those who put them in office (for lawyers, it is those that hire them), rather than all that live in their district, county, state, country, etc. Putting a politician in office doesn't begin at the ballot box, but begins well before that time (raising funds, canvasing neighborhoods, building alliances, etc.)
When a politician speaks, he/she is always playing to the audience, whether that audience is in attendance at the rally, the press who is covering the event, or other groups who will hear about the speach. It is simply advertising for "business".
The politician is not necessarily speaking about what he/she believes, but rather is trying to articulate what the audience believes, thus demonstrating that he/she can be an effective representative for the group. "Sincerity, I can fake that." (a line from a television show).
Whichever group (or groups) of audiences gives the politician the critical mass to be elected, they will be the ones who will receive the attention when that person is in office. This then explains how a politician can be personally against abortion but will support legislation that enables it to be more accessible. Just as a lawyer who is representing one that is accused (whether actually guilty or not), the politician is representing those who put them in office.
The politician is also his own constituent, with desires, goals and objectives. Depending upon who he/she is soliciting for votes, those motives may or may not be disclosed. Sometimes their movtives are admirable, sometimes criminal. But they exist, never the less.
We may rail against "special interests", "lobbyists" as having too much influence with our politicians - but guess what, it is the special interest, groups represented by the lobbyist, that put the politician in power or provide the benefits of power that make things happen. In addition, compromise is an essential part of the equations in order to get things done.
So, if you're dissatisfied with what is happening in Washington, take "special interest" with others of like interest and build a coalition of power that will catch the interest of the politician that you are trying to influence or replace. That is the only way it works.
In a representative democracy, politicians (like lawyers) represent those who put them in office (for lawyers, it is those that hire them), rather than all that live in their district, county, state, country, etc. Putting a politician in office doesn't begin at the ballot box, but begins well before that time (raising funds, canvasing neighborhoods, building alliances, etc.)
When a politician speaks, he/she is always playing to the audience, whether that audience is in attendance at the rally, the press who is covering the event, or other groups who will hear about the speach. It is simply advertising for "business".
The politician is not necessarily speaking about what he/she believes, but rather is trying to articulate what the audience believes, thus demonstrating that he/she can be an effective representative for the group. "Sincerity, I can fake that." (a line from a television show).
Whichever group (or groups) of audiences gives the politician the critical mass to be elected, they will be the ones who will receive the attention when that person is in office. This then explains how a politician can be personally against abortion but will support legislation that enables it to be more accessible. Just as a lawyer who is representing one that is accused (whether actually guilty or not), the politician is representing those who put them in office.
The politician is also his own constituent, with desires, goals and objectives. Depending upon who he/she is soliciting for votes, those motives may or may not be disclosed. Sometimes their movtives are admirable, sometimes criminal. But they exist, never the less.
We may rail against "special interests", "lobbyists" as having too much influence with our politicians - but guess what, it is the special interest, groups represented by the lobbyist, that put the politician in power or provide the benefits of power that make things happen. In addition, compromise is an essential part of the equations in order to get things done.
So, if you're dissatisfied with what is happening in Washington, take "special interest" with others of like interest and build a coalition of power that will catch the interest of the politician that you are trying to influence or replace. That is the only way it works.
posted by Stephen at 10:32 AM
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