What makes any politician turn bad?

[HARDCORE]

?Corruption in politics, after all, is nothing new!? A study of our brief history will aptly display that the ?Opiate of Power? has sometimes had a ?Mr. Hyde-like Effect? upon even the best intended among us! The problem is that those so infected are, in many cases, unaware of their tragic transition. They see nothing wrong with a regime of lies, a lacking moral code, or their ethical deterioration. In fact, some eventually come to think of themselves as beyond reproach and almost god-like in nature!

The recent fiasco surrounding a California Congressman is not the first (nor is it likely to be the last) time that a person entrusted with great powers has floundered in the face of temptation. And this debilitating moral illness is not limited to any particular political party, race or gender, as corruption and overabundant ego are indeed - equal opportunity destroyers! Destroyers not only of self, but indeed, even corrupters of good intentions, whole governments, and entire races of people!

When one rises to the top by riding a tsunami of (claimed) righteousness and new ideas, and then upon reaching the apex of power and influence, drops the facade to reveal a somewhat odious interior, who then becomes the true victim? Is it the person him (or her) self, that person's political party, or is it the nation as a whole that suffers, along with its entire system of beliefs?

I fully realize that mankind is but human, even though many a mighty politician may disagree with this axiom! Unfortunately, however, it is rarely the politico who suffers from their indiscretions, but rather the people who follow the various banners of politics! And when truth ceases to be a prerequisite of one?s honor, then all else pales and dies along the wayside!

VERITAS (Truth)

money, power, and greed that all politicans are out for. All of them, they have no redeeming social value in life. They are like diapers, they need to be changed often and for the same reason, they are all full of sh*t.

[Keith_Hixson]

Robert,

Greed (Money) and Power is why many politicians go bad. Not all politicians are bad but even the good ones can get caught up in the privileges of the ruling class. It is difficult to resist the temptations.
1. We don't need full time politicians! Congress (Senate and House)
2. We need term limits. Eight years for the House, Twelve years for the Senate.
3. We don't need political parties and the organized power structures they put together. If you listen to the political banter its all about one party trying to undermine the power of the other. They both spin like crazy and you can't believe either.
Do away with the party system and you'll do much better having honest politicians. Each person would be voted on by their platform. No majority leaders, no whips, just honest politicians doing the will of the people.

However,
I do believe there are some good honest politicians, a few good guys, but that is a rarity.

Keith

P.S. Shouldn't this be on the political debate thread?

[SparrowHawk62]

Maybe knowing that there isn't a whole heck of a lot we can do about thier misgivings?

[reconeil]

Unless a hermit living in a cave from birth, I figure that most initially wanting to get into politics,...are inately people of malintent from the very git-go. Otherwise,...why politics?

After all Rick, I'm fairly sure that you too must have noticed over the years, that American Politics in general actually have less: "Redeeming social (financial also) value" for America and The Average American Citizen,...than does American (foreign also) Pornography.

And besides, when's the last time you ever heard of a Porno Queen trying to screw-over most everyone in America NOT: "Connected" and/or NOT part of their clique or stable?

Whereas, politicians making careers of screwing-over MOST EVERYONE possible.

Also, ever heard of a porno queen being complimented by co-workers, by being called: "Slick"? That's strictly an American Officialdom or Underworld compliment.

Neil

[Jerry D]

On the Subject of term limits for US Congress and Senate. Washington State had a Term Limit Law and sitting Speaker of the House at that time Tom Foley got it declared Unconstitutional in Federal Court and proceeded to tell his Constituents If they wanted term limits to Vote him out next election well he became the FIRST sitting Speaker of the House of Representative to be not re-elected ever in the History of the USA. So to enact Federal Term Limits on Congressmen and Senators you would need a Constitutional Amendment and NO one in office would dare to introduce such amendment and cut off their gravy train........ And if they did it would die in committee!

Foley, Thomas Stephen (b. 1929) ? also known as Thomas S. Foley ? of Spokane, Spokane County, Wash. Born in Spokane, Spokane County, Wash., March 26, 1929. Democrat. Lawyer; U.S. Representative from Washington 5th District, 1965-95; defeated, 1994; Speaker of the U.S. House, 1989-95;

[HARDCORE]

These politicos are laboring under a gross misconception! What they consider to be their rice bowl (or gravy train if you prefer), is in reality a sacred trust. We do not elect kings, but rather servant of the people!

Now when any politician who just read what I have had to say, and disagrees totally with it, stops laughing, they too can pucker up and kiss my backside!!

Foley attempted to be cute and paid the price - more (many more) should also have their gravy trains derailed, in my opinion!

"Hell, if they have no gravy, then let them eat cake!!" :


VERITAS

[1CAVCCO15MED]

I thought the reason politicians turn bad is they are left out in the sun too long.

[Boats]

I think they begin to believe their own BS and that they think they can outwit the program. This is the true Peter Principle - they grow in leaps and bounds to a point of total incompetence.

Ever notice how that arrogance goes away and how humble they get when caught.

[HARDCORE]

BOATS -

"Your last sentence said it all!!"

VERITAS