What is the job of a politician?

[varkam]

Maybe that's a silly question. I mean, most days I will think that the job of a politician is to govern - duh! We elect them to represent us in issues affecting our country. We choose the ones that we think are best suited and that are most closely aligned to our point of view to deal with things like campaign finance reform and gun control and everything in between.

Well color me cynical, but I had an odd thought tonight. I guess I'm not sure if I really think that's what the job is. I think the job of a politician is to get elected. After all, what's the mark of a successful politician? One who fostered positive social change, or one who got re-elected?

Every election cycle we all see the ads. The candidate kisses a baby on the head, they pose with their handsome yet non-threatening family, they shake hands with the "common man", they kneel in front of the desk of a student and smile and nod - and it's all part of the dance.

They know all the right words to say, too. Republicans are especially adept at that one. I believe marriage should be something between a man and a woman. Abortion is murder. Support the troops. Lower taxes. Hollywood liberals. Global warming is not an issue. Now, mind you, it's not that they actually believe these things. They just know that, ideally, we're going to elect someone who thinks like we do.

So, in a way, politicians as a whole are somewhat like a corporation. Corporations are motivated solely by money. If doing the right thing is also the most economically beneficial option, then corporations do the right thing. So, if a politician sees that doing the right thing for the country is also the most popular option, then the choice is going to be easy. If not, then we get what we get - a song and dance man.

Like I said, maybe it's a silly question, and maybe I'm being overly cynical, but it seems to be there's entirely too large a focus on getting elected. Hell, you can't read a paper now without reading something about Hillary or Barack or Rudy and the elections aren't until late next year. It'd be nice if, in politics, the only thing that mattered was what was the best for the country...but then I guess it just wouldn't be politics.

[ripken08]

1. lie, steal, cheat, and to get re-elected

or at least that's what they think it is.

[RedCappedBandit]

5. Its sad

Before I even opened the thread I was going to post those same words.

[liberal N proud]

9. Same here

[AnOhioan]

2. In a perfect world, politicians would look after their

constituents interests. In reality, the vast majority of politicians find out that making money off of the public is too enticing to pass up. They spend all their time playing it safe so as to not kill the goose that is laying the golden egg.

[Xipe Totec]

3. To represent the electorate

In a representative government, that is his only job.

In an internet, interconnected world, where we can directly express our opinions and vote, directly, on every specific issue, the need for this middle-man position is becoming less and less useful.

"If reality is whatever you say it is, then say."

- James Burke, The Day The Universe Changed"

[mmonk]

4. To get elected.

[yurbud]

6. when they retire from public life: lobbyist, CEO, corporate board member, and major shareholder

[The Straight Story]

7. After getting elected - to serve the best interests of the people who elected them

and not focus on the next election - because if they do the job we sent em to do, we will vote for em again.

[Solly Mack]

8. to get elected - with the perception being if you're re-elected

you must have done something good - even though that's just not necessarily true since piss poor politicians get re-elected all the time - yet the perception persist

that government gravy train is a hard thing to give up...wouldn't want to jeopardize that for just any old cause

great health care
you get to vote your own raises
travel
lobbyists pander to you
you can become a "super-star" if you're really good at it and have people clamoring for your presence at their events
book deals
speaking engagements (more dollars)
sweet retirement package
get in on the golden revolving door plan...from government to business and back to government again

[Prophet 451]

10. "Someone who thinks like we do"

If you have as low an opinion of the electorate as a mass as I do, this admin is the end result of electing people who "think like we do". Whatever happened to electing the best and brightest?

[PhilipShore]

11. A cog in the public-opinion engineers machine

[ripken08]

12. One reason why I think the a house term should be four year...

because basically the job of a member of the house is to get re-elected. Because of that short two year term, re-election is always such an important part of the job and sometimes can completely consume some people.

[Rex]

13. To make money off the working class.

Network with other business leaders to increase profits. It should mean something else, but not in America.