Clueless liberal discussing economics

[ryoder]

I don't trust politicians at all. They are just people, and I don't trust people to act in my best interests. I trust them to act in their own best interests. Also, the type of person that is willing and capable to run for office is usually not the type of person that I would want to be friends with. You can even see this in the local school board. Its a power trip.
Therefore, I believe these people should be as limited as possible in their power and they should be given the tiniest of budgets so they don't squander our hard earned money.

[Lindagerr]

I don't trust politicians at all. They are just people, and I don't trust people to act in my best interests. That is a sad commentary for your outlook on life. I trust them to act in their own best interests. Not everyone is self centered. Also, the type of person that is willing and capable to run for office is usually not the type of person that I would want to be friends with. I have many friends that have run for office in the local school board and in local government. All of them have done it because they want to help make things better for children or the local Middle Income families. You can even see this in the local school board. Its a power trip. There is not much power for these positions in my area
Therefore, I believe these people should be as limited as possible in their power Then who would have the power to make and enforce laws? You? they should be given the tiniest of budgets so they don't squander our hard earned money.

I believe you are doing too much stereotyping. Yes there are some bad Power hungry people in government, but not all are bad.

"The punishment which the wise suffer who refuse to take part in the government, is to live under the government of worse men."
-- Plato

[ryoder]

Our Constitution was created to protect us from these people. The founders knew that absolute power corrupts absolutely so they created a limited government with checks and balances.

Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.
Thomas Paine

[dcan]

Many of the traits required for election to a higher office -- charisma, non-stop self-promotion, significantly large ego, willingness to manipulate others -- are also signs of Narcissistic Personality Disorder and sometimes Antisocial Personality Disorder, aka Sociopathy or Psychopathy. The latter also have no concept of wrong and an inability to empathize with others. These same traits also make them drawn to roles like political leadership, where they can have a never-ending source of narcissistic supply.

NPD is estimated in about 6 percent (just under 1 in 15) of the population at large, and some studies put APD at 4 percent or roughly 1 in 25 people. That's pretty good odds that any random person is affected, and a population of politicians is rather self-selected to be more probable, IMO.

Given these odds, I think its vital to have a framework to defend against overzealous and/or predatory leaders. It's not pessimism, just scientifically justified realism.

Here's just one story about political narcissism: Narcissism can make politicians leaders ... and cheaters - USATODAY.com

[ryoder]

Surely this trait is only present in Republicans though right? Democrats are angels right?

[dcan]

I get your sarcasm.

Neither side are angels, only the people who buy into the BS. I read through a great book right (never could remember the name, dammit) after the 2004 elections, written by a democrat strategist, discussing studies done on the psychology of party followers leading up to the election. One group was republican, one democrat, and they were shown quotes by either Bush or Kerry. The quotes either supported the position of the party looking at the quotes, or opposed their party's positions. It turns out that, when republicans were shown quotes by Bush that supported the republican position (and likewise democrats shown quotes by Kerry that supported their's) they got a significant dopamine shot and their brains lit up with happiness. But when shown a contradictory message, like a quote from Bush that opposed the republican party position, the party followers' brains were confused. Their brains lit up all over the place trying to sort out the message. But then they "justified" the statement somehow, and when they did that their brains emitted a massive dopamine shot. Party affiliation didn't matter, both sides justified their candidates statements and behavior and likewise condemned the other, even when the other supported their own position.

Moral of the study: We are human animals, prone to adopt illogical and even insane positions when placed in an "us-vs-them" framework.

[tybouff]

There will be a day when 1+1 no longer equals 2. Not long after that day will come another when we will find the answer to ALL problems.