Those who have "total faith" in any politician frighten me

[jpgray]

There are flaws with all of them. None of them are perfect. The real disturbing thing is, the flaws are so much on the surface I can't believe some of the blindness here. A base description of a politician might be:

A charismatic and ambitious individual who spouts the ideas an idealistic group of people believe in to win their support, and to acquire and maintain power.

Does Dean want a discussion on race? My guess is he wants more votes so he can win. Was he extraordinarily brave in denouncing the war? My guess is he took a VERY smart risk when he needed to in order to avoid fading into complete obscurity--his slowly building opposition didn't require him to cast a vote, and he played it perfectly. Did Kerry have a torturous night of the soul deciding on what was the right vote for the IWR? My guess is he was covering his ass for the upcoming election. Can you take any candidate who lacks a record at their word when they promise a policy? I would have to say no. Will candidates try to present a vision that is as obscure as possible while appealing to most of the people most of the time, all without much intention of really following through on it? You bet!

Some are better than others. In my estimation, Kucinich, Dean and Kerry are the best of the lot (all with plenty of flaws to go around--I'm sure you are aware of them). I don't know enough about what Clark or Edwards would do in office, and I know too much about what Gephardt and Lieberman would do. Sharpton is incredibly charismatic, but plays loose with the truth in some deadly serious situations, and Moseley-Braun has met with some rather unsavory people.

I would vote for anyone against Bush. That's the good news--they're all better than Bush. DON'T believe your politician is the only one out there who is telling the complete truth all the time without a trace of guile. The only one who might come close is Kucinich, but whether telling the truth sticks you on the fringe or being on the fringe makes you risk telling the truth once in a while, that's where he is.

Sort of a ramble, but having total faith in a politician is just a way to tie yourself in knots trying to rationalize every bumbling mistake, flip-flopping explanation or treachery. Keep them at arm's length, but fight like crazy for them in the elections, because that's something every one of them will need. Enthusiasm is great, but fundamentalism should be shunned, and it's very easy to get wrapped up in candidate-worship--we've all succumbed at some point I'm sure. :)

[GAspnes]

1. "anyone who wants power...

..shouldn't be allowed to have it."

I've proposed, in years gone by, a lottery. Pick an American at random to be President. If he says "Great! I'll do it!" then you toss him back, and keep picking names until you get someone who says "I absolutely don't want this job."

Then you draft her or him for 4 years.

[Coldgothicwoman]

8. I don't think it could work.

On the surface it sounds like a wonderful idea, but do keep in mind that you would get a bunch of people in the various offices who would be even more susceptible to the high powered lobbyists, the corporate crooks, and the media shills. While they wouldn't go into office corrupted...I think they could very well leave office much more corrupt simply from not knowing how to handle it. Add into that dealing with professional diplomats (consider some lotteried fellow at the nuclear talks of Reykjavik (sp?) or some other, suitably important summit) and the U.N.

That said, though, if there could be some way around those complications, I'd sign onto the plan immediately. :)

[jpgray]

9. Who runs the lottery?

I don't doubt that any new system of government can be subverted by those more ambitious and clever people who want to be in charge of the rest. Cincinnatus was a freak of nature. :)

[ComerPerro]

11. Here is why that wouldn't work

I don't want the job, and if you pick me I will probably resign.

[ScreamingMeemie]

2. At this point in time, I feel I have to have total faith in a politician

I have to have something to keep me out there working for the overthrow of the current regime. Do I agree 100% with any of the candidates? No. I don't think a lot of people do. But, for myself, I feel I have to throw my weight, fully, behind someone. If more people do this, I feel the end result will be much more assured.

[RichM]

3. Pretty good analysis, actually.

Kudos. :-)

[chaska]

4. BOO!

Ha!!! Sorry, couldn't resist.

[MariaS]

5. Unfortunately

because of the condition of the times many are looking for a superhero that can swoop in and foil the plots and deeds of the evil villian Dubya. If idol worship seeps in I think it is mainly based on hope. I myself am guilty of this. I'm putting a lot of faith in one man in this election because I desperately want to believe that there is a hero out there that will save us before Bush kills us.
If my candidate loses the primary I will vote any democrat but afterwards I think I'll drink myself into a stupor.

[chaska]

7. Bottoms up.

Welcome to DU, Maria!

[jpgray]

12. Welcome to DU! Right, this phenom may be what ousts Bush (nt)

.

[ComerPerro]

14. LOL

Welcome to DU.

Nice line. Can I steal it???

"If my candidate loses the primary I will vote any Democrat. But afterwards, I think I'll drink myself into a stupor."

Amen!!!!!

[KittyWampus]

6. You Sound Really Fair Minded

And you are certainly making a good point.

Dean made an insensitive gaffe with the flag comment whilst working for votes
Other candidates were too hostile in confronting him and ended up looking like yer average politician.

So what do you think this week will bring :)

[DFLforever]

10. Very nice, jp

and reminds us of why looking to a candidate as 'savior'is folly.

[Myra]

13. Agreed that total faith in any of them

Is nothing less than childish.
If nothing else, we all should have shed
any childish illusions since Nov of 2000.

But I disagree that "anyone is better than Bush."
Almost anyone, granted.
But, for example, if Holy Joe were to get the
nomination, I wouldn't vote that year.
I refuse.

I know we're in a helluva mess thanks to the BFEE.
But let's set our sights a little higher than
"anyone is better than Bush." Let's demand more
of the candidates than merely not being Bush.

[jpgray]

15. Also Joe is very likely to lose, but I highly doubt he will be nominated

If he is, I will definitely try to get him elected as President. Sure, I'll be protesting nearly every thing he does, but his executive appointments (and judicial, consider the supreme court!) can't fail to be better than those of Bush. Plus I just might avoid getting drafted under Lieberman. If he wins the nomination, I don't really feel I have the right to be picky. :)