Who would want to be in Congress?

[BlueStreak]

Originally Posted by Writewing

The people who have that sort of Arrogance to think they should be in political office are so self absorbed with power and ambition their soul is of no value to them to begin with.

You just described my cousin. He lives in Howland and keeps talking about running for office---Republican of course, because he's a phony, greedy bastard. Maybe you'll have the opportunity to vote for him someday. If you do, build yourself some titanium underpants, and leave the f**kin' soap on the shower floor.

Dave

[Writewing]

Originally Posted by BlueStreak

You just described my cousin. He lives in Howland and keeps talking about running for office---Republican of course, because he's a phony, greedy bastard. Maybe you'll have the opportunity to vote for him someday. If you do, build yourself some titanium underpants, and leave the f**kin' soap on the shower floor.

Dave

Somehow I doubt we will ever meet but I will keep that in mind and if I ever drop my wallet I will kick it to Germany before picking it up.

[Grumpy]

I hope you people knew I was joking. The last thing in the world I would want is to be put in a room with so many people that stand for everything I stand against.

[Sandy G]

This is part of the problem w/politics, I think...It tends to attract the exact wrong kind of people to it...They are master manipulators, are by & large experts in prevaricationing, & deftly know how to game the system. If ANY of "The people's business" actually gets done, its almost by accident. The Founding Fathers, as usual, had it right-They kinda set things up for "Citizen legislators" to come & do their civic duty for awhile & then go home. I don't think they ever envisioned somebody making a lifelong career of it-and CERTAINLY not to become as fabulously wealthy as many of these jokers are...

[merrylander]

The funny thing is that the Conservative party back in Canada did want me to run when our local MP died prematurely from cancer. He and I had a long correspondence so I guess that they found my letters in his files.

However, I was already down here so that idea got sqelched. As a sanforized citizen I am still elegible to run for office but Florence would divorce me so that is not going to happen.

Taken as a whole Congress really needs an outsider to re-write their rules because as written it is a most un-democratic institution, but there are some good people in there.

If we could, as a nation, outlaw bribery, make this business of some 7000 or more appointees by the incoming president a thing of the past and limit him/her to appointing only cabinet level people and judicial positions. This would be with the usual 'advise and consent' (but none of this BS of a single senator being able to put a 'hold' on any appointee) we would be on the way to a better government. Finally campaign funding would come from federal funds and be a lot more limited than at present, no more 'swift boaters' and other such pandering.

As it stands today, Congress is much like the gentleman in the bar who asked the young woman if she would sleep with him for a million dollars. When she acquiesed he than asked her if she would do it for one hundred dollars. She exlaimed "What sort of woman do you think I am?" to which he replied "We have already established that, we are only haggling over the price."

[cabinover]

Rob you're dead on.

[cabinover]

Originally Posted by Fast_Eddie

So we count on people who have already got money to do it.

The problem here Eddie is that yes, they already have more money than most folks do and that leads to an indifference to normal everyday working folks as far as I can see.

I think we should have term limits in Congress. It's too cushy of a job...scratch that...career for all of them in there.

I wouldn't want to be in Congress but then again the perks are outstanding and unheard of in any field.

[cabinover]

Double post

[piece-itpete]

Originally Posted by Fast_Eddie

The question gets to the heart of the matter. It's a shit job, but very difficult. People who have the ability to do it well have the ability to make a lot more money elsewhere. Seriously, you all heard how much a Wall Street banker makes just in bonuses.

So we count on people who have already got money to do it. Then we bitch that they all have a lot of money. Well what do you expect? This isn't so much different than trying to attract better employees to any job. I know when I get more money, better benefits and better hours I can hire better people.

But that'll never fly 'cause if Congress gives themselves a raise all hell breaks lose. "Why should he make more money than me just because he actually has a law degree, works a job that separates him from his family for months at a time, has no job security and everyone hates him?"

Uh, do the math. We're lucky they're as good as they are.

Good post. Lousy thankless job. I head one guy say, politicians are the best salemen of all - they've got to close 51% of their sales.

One of the (many) things I respect in the Founders, they had a great grasp of human nature. You can't change human nature, so you channel some's quest for power into useful ways.

Pete

[merrylander]

Originally Posted by cabinover

The problem here Eddie is that yes, they already have more money than most folks do and that leads to an indifference to normal everyday working folks as far as I can see.

I think we should have term limits in Congress. It's too cushy of a job...scratch that...career for all of them in there.

I wouldn't want to be in Congress but then again the perks are outstanding and unheard of in any field.

Yep, all we want is Cheney Care, same as they have,

Welcome back Tom.