Being a "good person" may be something different than a "good politician." For example, you can certainly be a good person without being a good communicator but I think excellent communication skills are essential for a good politician. Going from there a good politician must be able to think on his feet ...quick with an answer or at least a response it seems like an answer. Dividing the population into "them" and "us" will give a politician a calling, a cause to run for office. A good personal story that connects is also a prerequisite I would think. Working through hardships or growing up poor seem to work. Understanding that money can buy you elections and so connecting yourself in a quid pro quo with certain lobbyists. Whether it be the teachers unions or the national rifle association. None of this has anything to do with being a good person, in fact, most of it has to do with deception, hiding your motivations, your power relationships, and instead appearing to be what you're not. Dividing and telling people what they want to hear rather than what he or she may actually think is the truth. Politicians play by the same rules that corporate media plays by. Divide, make fearful or angry, and make (campaign) money off the deal. So what corrections can we make? Limits on campaign spending and campaigning time frames? A better informed, more thoughtful electorate would be a good start but how do we do that. I'm hoping SheerKlan or Bartletttiger can provide examples and help me on this last one.

Cut the bureaucracy, agencies, & the like. They have all the power & too much power. A politician can't do anything if he's a slave to them. Smaller federal government, you don't have to worry about pleasing the entire country but only your state, or city, or town.

Not owned by lobbyists.
Honest about their views and intentions before the election.
Votes for legislation because it is best for the country, not to their own party, pocketbook or re-election changes.

I’m impressed by the topic. So bravo..

For one, the people of this country are motivated by what fears them versus what is practical. The process by which the media tears down politicians through a two year election period is something that normal people don’t want to go through. It gets nasty and personal, which attracts politicians with extreme ideologies and a high trait for narcissistic behavior.

Carter and the Bush 43 were “good people” but made for terrible presidents and seemed clueless most of the time.

Clinton and Trump are bad people but were effective in coalition building, political instincts, and were economically popular.

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I believe that term limits need to happen, ban individual stock trading, and cap committee assignments as well. Ban the use of social media for our politicians.


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(08-22-2023 12:00 PM)WalkThePlank Wrote:  I believe that term limits need to happen, ban individual stock trading, and cap committee assignments as well. Ban the use of social media for our politicians.

I'm with everything but the social media. In many cases the only way a candidate can get their actual opinion/viewpoint out is via social media as the main stream media won't cover them or incorrectly states their viewpoint.

(08-22-2023 12:03 PM)mlb Wrote:  

(08-22-2023 12:00 PM)WalkThePlank Wrote:  I believe that term limits need to happen, ban individual stock trading, and cap committee assignments as well. Ban the use of social media for our politicians.

I'm with everything but the social media. In many cases the only way a candidate can get their actual opinion/viewpoint out is via social media as the main stream media won't cover them or incorrectly states their viewpoint.

That’s true in some cases. But that’s not the reason politicians love it. It’s mostly used to attack others and create this revenge politics that has infested Washington DC.

I realize that most of what I said is likely unconstitutional but I truly think those are root causes of why there is corruption and people who are insanely narcissistic. It comes out through their social media.


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Pretty sure there's no such thing as a "good politician".

We used to have leaders, now all we have are self serving bureaucrats.

(08-22-2023 12:05 PM)WalkThePlank Wrote:  That’s true in some cases. But that’s not the reason politicians love it. It’s mostly used to attack others and create this revenge politics that has infested Washington DC.

I realize that most of what I said is likely unconstitutional but I truly think those are root causes of why there is corruption and people who are insanely narcissistic. It comes out through their social media.

Agree on your points. I just don't see any other way to hold the MSM accountable outside of social media.

(08-22-2023 12:06 PM)BartlettTigerFan Wrote:  Pretty sure there's no such thing as a "good politician".

We used to have leaders, now all we have are self serving bureaucrats.

Those two words are mutually exclusive.

Term limits.

(08-22-2023 12:00 PM)WalkThePlank Wrote:  I’m impressed by the topic. So bravo..

For one, the people of this country are motivated by what fears them versus what is practical. The process by which the media tears down politicians through a two year election period is something that normal people don’t want to go through. It gets nasty and personal, which attracts politicians with extreme ideologies and a high trait for narcissistic behavior.

Carter and the Bush 43 were “good people” but made for terrible presidents and seemed clueless most of the time.

Clinton and Trump are bad people but were effective in coalition building, political instincts, and were economically popular.

——————

I believe that term limits need to happen, ban individual stock trading, and cap committee assignments as well. Ban the use of social media for our politicians.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You said it like it was a unique perspective.

I'd say that has been universally agreed upon by everyone in the country for at least half a century, except for those in Washington.

In other words, its ain't happening.

Someone who limits the powers of government not increases it.