My Problem with Politicians In General ---

[IdaBriggs]

is usually summed up by the statement "I don't trust 'em." But really, that doesn't explain it, does it? Its easy to say stuff like, "They are looking out for their own best interests, and not mine" -- and nine times out of ten, its probably true -- but honestly, why shouldn't they? They spend a lot of time and money getting in positions where money = power / influence, while I'm doing "other things" with my life. Once they are out of office, I am not paying attention to the financial well being of their family anymore than they are paying attention to mine.

To be frank, my attitude prior to this administration was always a bit on the overly trusting side: my job was to (fill in the blank), while their job was to look out for the laws / foreign policy stuff. I really don't have time to read all the things that go into making those decisions, so I had to believe that "Good People" were sitting around having reasoned debates about how to get things done. I didn't expect to always like the results, but assumed everyone was agreed on the "real" goal: the long term best interests of my country.

But now I'm cynical. I've spent more than twenty years making my living in Corporate America, and I've noticed that there is no long term accountability in the upper echelons of the business world for poor decisions, which attitude is something I'm also seeing echoed in the political realm. For example, I've lost track of the number of businesses that declare bankruptcy while giving multi-million dollar bonuses to top executives, and in the political realm, the MORAN who made it illegal to buy prescription drugs in Canada doesn't seem to mind his current (higher paying) industry job.

As for political upper level accountability, well, this administration has turned that concept on its head: the National Security Advisor who let our country be attacked by foreign terrorists was promoted to Secretary of State, while the lawyer who said its okay to ignore the Geneva Convention / torture prisoners of war is now the Attorney General. Don't even get me started on the "medal of honor" recipients, or the outright criminal conduct that is FLAUNTED before our very eyes -- there is really nothing I, as a normal citizen, can do about this stuff -- and neither can the rest of the folks posting on this website. We can talk about it, but at the end of the day, that is all we do: talk.

But honestly, the working atmosphere in Washington is the same as any corporation: everyone really tries to Just Get Along. You have to see these people every day, and holding onto Animosity isn't easy. The Democrats are Nice People in General, and frankly, they just can't do it. The Republicans seem to put it on and take it off like actors in a play; the Democrats just seem confused.

Its just a job. Its not like it really matters, right? So what if they screw up the country: that just means more job security for the next folks. There is no penalty for corruption, hypocrisy, or bad judgment. Its a popularity contest in the beltway, and the only time the rest of us matter is when they are doing a fundraiser.

I'm not there everyday, so I don't know the trials and tribulations they are going through. I'm guessing its a lot like a bad sorority movie: a lot of gossip, some angst filled negotiating, and then onto the big dance where everybody plays kissy face with each other.

Nope. I don't trust politicians....

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

1. "It's just a job."

That, for all intents and purposes, is available to a select few in a certain demographic. You can look at it one way and say they're doing a shitty job. You can look at it another way and say "Damn, they're good!"

[skids]

2. Vote Anyway.

(see link in sig.)