the problem is that there is a vast difference between being a good politician and being a good administrator. All too often people mistake politics with the actual running of things.dragon wench wrote:This is something I have often contemplated. While there are occasional exceptions, the majority of people who seek public office are self-serving, ruthlessly ambitious power-hungry whores with a tendency toward megalomania.
Decent individuals with a conscience and a desire to improve the human condition are generally turned off by the thought of becoming politically involved, at least at that level.
My sense is that in order for this to change, the entire political structure has to be placed upon its head and turned into something genuinely dedicated to achieving the greater good. This means completely transforming human society as a whole.... I'm doubtful this can occur. *sigh*
And of course, another problem is that individual definitions of "the greater good" will vary tremendously from person to person.
Politics is nothing more or less than the social manuvering(sp) done to gain power over others in society. Just because you are good at getting the public vote, look good on TV and can effectively smear your opponent, does not mean you have the capability of running the affairs of the country.
Real experts are either trained seals who work in the background and do what they are told regardless of how idiotic it is. Or they are in the private sector. In Canada micheal Ignatief would likely be a better leader than Stephen Harper. But Harper is a far better politician(As a politician Harper is borderline incompetent so to me Ignatief seems a pretty good fellow) and is likely to eat Ignatief alive unless he becomes a far better liar.
Lets get the game players out and find some folks who will actually do the work.
