Why do some people think that politicians are "special"?

I didn’t know that people did.

I don’t think politicians can be painted with only one brush. It is too simplistic.

Some are genuinely into serving their country.

Some are crooks.

Most are probably complex individuals just like the rest of us.

Politician is a noble profession of public service.
The real question is why people would want to hire someone with no experience and no understanding of how government works to run their government. Would you hire a plumber to read your cat scan?
Would you ask a manicurist tax advice?
Our lack of respect for our politicians will strongly contribute to our countries demise.

P.T. Barnum-“There’s a sucker born every minute.” ;)

They are generally amoral degenerates This statement is pure nonsense. The few that fit this description are so unusual they make the news. Most politicians are dedicated public servants.

For people who really believe that about politicians, why don’t you go do the job yourself? The pay is pretty good.

@josie I would throw your question right back at you. In your question details, you list a whole series of negatives that you feel separate politicians from—form whom—people like you? No two people are alike, but I doubt that there is a special strand in human DNA that codes 1 in every 100,000 or so to be a politician. I think they are mostly people not unlike you or me or others here on Fluther. They have individual strengths and weaknesses.

And doing what they do is a job. It is work. If you doubt that, just look at what a Hellish country Somalia is with no government. Being a US Senator may be a great job with terrific pay and perks, but it is not an easy job. Doing it well enough to win reelection is tough work. And despite all their failings, which I can see just as clearly as you, I also see that they do a great deal of good and that the USA with no government would soon be in the same sort of decay that Somalia and all the world’s other failed states are in.

Special can often mean underdeveloped as well. However if I ever had a down’s child and you compared him to a politician I’d slap you for insulting the child.

I’m one of the rare people who actually likes politics.

We have a someone here on Cape Cod who has served 12 years as a full-time representative. If he were voted out, he wouldn’t have a job. I prefer this set up because it means there’s more time devoted to me, the constituent. I personally know every single call that comes into his office is answered timely and personally. I know he helps his constituents as much as he can within his capabilities. If it were a second job, his quality of service couldn’t possibly be the same.

Once you’re on the inside, you learn a lot you didn’t know. The media really is slanted, and money does indeed buy votes. It really isn’t the candidate that is “convincing the naive to vote for them, it’s the Political Action Committees. They are the ones that buy radio ads, TV ads, mailers, robocalls, you name it. Once their candidate is in office, they are indebted to the cause (which could be anything from unions to animal welfare to anti-abortion to gay rights), and vote accordingly.

If you want an honest politician next election, I suggest you go to the Office of Campaign and Political Finance website and check to see where your candidate’s money comes from. Did it come from PACs or individuals? The one who received all their money from people who want that candidate to represent them is the one who will work for you.

Lastly, coming from Massachusetts I can’t let the Kennedy reference slip- I’m about as happy with the Kennedy machine as the next person, but Ted Kennedy was a good man and was revered by his peers as a result. He made mistakes as any human does, but if you research a little I’m sure you’ll find he was anything but amoral or self-absorbed.

@Taciturnu Thank you for adding that defense of Ted Kennedy. I am from Boston, and I felt the same about his many years of public service. With his family’s money, he could have bought control of businesses or just invested and made many millions of dollars more for himself. I can also put in a good word for my Representative, Michael Capuano. He’s served since 1999, but is always responsive. I have never had a problem getting a return call if I had an issue to discuss.

Barbara Boxer, on the other hand, never responds to her consultants. (At least not to me.) I voted for her with my nose plugged this last election.

@ETpro Well, hello fellow Massachusettian! :)

You’re quite welcome. I honestly think the fact that T.K. worked after his diagnosis (right up to his death!) should be a good indicator of what his character was like. I’ve walked Hyannisport and bumped into him- he was a really down to earth guy, and had a good number of legislative accomplishments.

Cheers to Michael Capuano. Never dealt with him personally, but the ones who get back to their constituents directly are a dying breed.

Were you surprised at all with our election results?

I emaile Barbara Boxer a couple of months before the election with no response. Less than 24 hours after I posted the above comment I got a auto reply email from her. Is big brother watching?

@Taciturnu Hello right back at you. I’ll PM you about election surprises.

@Judi Gotta be coincidence. We should hope our government’s surveillance was that efficient. :-)