Do you really trust any Politicians from either party?

I don’t understand much about politics, so it’s hard for me to say. Generally though, I’ll be as on guard as is humanly possible without going stark raving mad, when it comes to trusting them…I mean whether I do or not, anyways, there’s not much I can really do about it ecxept vote, unless that’s rigged.

Barack Obama is the first politician I’ve ever trusted.

I can’t think of any other politician from any country in my lifetime that I have ever trusted.

I think its because he admits his faults and mistakes, provides rational and logical explanations for his decisions and speaks to people (when giving a speech or interview) with respect.

Not really.

Also, I think your claim that politicians only represent lobbyists is a little misguided. Can’t politicians have their own agenda that they want to push without outside interference? Can they not be greedy or power-hungry on their own?

Yes, I certainly trust a few politicians. Bob Brown, the Australian Greens Senator is one. I know that he’s a smart guy, and he always seems to do the right thing as far as the environment and human rights are concerned. He does not represent lobbyists, he represents what he thinks is right and fair.

Also, I find it very comforting to know that a non-heterosexual atheist can become such a high ranking politician. It gives me hope that I can also achieve my career goals, despite the bigots rallying against me.

Sure. I mean, they may have their differences but they still have our best interests at heart, right?

I trust Barack Obama. And I trust a lot of Dems in the House. I don trust any senators or anyone in the leadership of either party.

I believe that you can’t become a powerful politician without a powerful cause to become one. Good will doesn’t get you as far as greed or power-hunger does, simply because it denies you opportunities that the latter two attributes would gladly support. At the same time, though, politicians have to follow the word of the masses, and on the surface they much maintain some degree of morality. As long as their actions while in a position of power reflect this degree of morality that they were elected on, I could care less about what the politician truly wants. A politician cannot really be “himself” or “herself” in most cases, instead they are more like actors who push certain agendas.

I think that a large majority of politicians (regardless of party affiliation) are for the most part, self-serving. I think that it has always been this way and will continue to be throughout time. Personally, I just go on living my life not particularly contemplating how their decisions might impact me. Since this is America, I trust that the Constitution will ultimately keep things in balance…so I just don’t worry about any of it.

@SirGoofy Of course, the Constitution is being interpreted by those same politicians that it is supposed to regulate. The patriot act, for instance, is questionably constitutional but it is still in place.

I trust Bill Clinton!

@LocoLuke But…the pendulum swings and always has.

Well thats why there are Libertarians in the Republican party and Blue Dogs in the Democrats party. Maybe you should check that out you might fall into one of those categories. I think its pessimistic to say that all politicians lie, It’s just that talk is cheap and action can be impossible sometimes in politics. And sure, maybe a politician will vote against his beliefs one way so that he can get what he wants on another issue. As far as lobbyist goes they don’t only represent big greedy corporations! But everyone has the right to have their issues represented in congress. So if you feel strongly enough about an issue you too could go to D.C. and lobby for yourself! Politicians listen to lobbyist because often they are experts on what ever issue is being debated and can offer a perspective or insight as to the bills effects on people/industry/groups/rights etc. Also campaign donations are what win elections. But Most politicians don’t vote based on who will pay them the most money (typically)
Anyways your assumption that the middle class does not have lobbyist or are not listened to is false. The issue is they are not as powerful or well funded as say the health industries lobbyist.(but this is no ones fault but the middle class) If you want a reason to explain the decline in the middle class over the last 30 years it would be that republicans controlled the house/senate for about that amount of time.

I generally would never trust anyone who spends 10 of millions of dollars to get a job that pays a couple hundred thousand a year. Just shows a lack of understanding anything about money to me.

I think that shows a lack of understanding of how campaigns work.

I was involved in politics and campaigning for many years… However; after seeing the behind the scenes “Deals” and “BS” that goes on… I really don’t trust ANY of the politicians anymore…

I believe that over the last ten – twelve years ; we’ve had to choose from the bottom of the barrel to get leaders ; and that is a sad commentary on our nation .

They only allow the two major parties on the BIG debates ; so the little guys don’t get all the FREE exposure that the Democrats and republicians get…. thus ; they don’t really stand a chance….

@Mavericksjustdoinganotherflyby ; the reason that they spend all that money for a job that pays just thousands… is the endorsements and speaking engagements, Books , etc that they will get after the term is OVER… THAT is where they make the BIG BUCKS .

I don’t think it’s a matter of trust; I don’t believe any of them can be trusted. However, we rely upon them to make out laws and regulations, and they do wish to be re-elected, so I suggest arming yourself with knowledge. There are myriad public sources for good information on tour Senators and Representatives. You can determine which lobbyists are donating to their campaigns, and you can track their votes from the point of view of following the money.

As one example, Joe Lieberman and his wife are clearly in Aetna’s pocket (after all Aetna is a Hartford company) so if I were one of his constituents I would be sure to contribute to and campaign for his opponent in the next primary. That is the only type of action that gets results.

@LKidKyle1985 Been around quite a while and completely understand how it works, where’s your sense of humor?
@HighShaman I know, But It still seems pretty silly all the same. Besides the whole system is essentially a joke. I my view politicians really don’t do anything that’s truly productive for society anyway. And we have no control once they get voted in. Sure we get to get rid of them if we don’t like what they did while they were in there, but by then the damage is done, and very, very, rarely is something repealed once passed through both houses.

I trust a lot of politicans to be who they are, and not be in the pockets of PACs, Lobbyists, and Campaign Fund Donors. I don’t think Obama, Feinstein, or Clinton would change their positions to support someone just because they gave them money, though Clinton surprised me with the pardon of a contributer’s husband.

No, but probably not in the way you would think. I don’t think are politicians are deceitful. I know plenty are and plenty just don’t share my view on the issues. Some that I would like to think are on my side have been hijacked by corporate interests and lobbyists. But even in the case of politicians that seem trustworthy I wouldn’t just trust them. Honesty and integrity doesn’t make them right in all cases and I owe it to myself to sort out what I think independently.

Of course the thoughts and arguments of trustworthy politicians are more valuable than those of dishonest ones.

Just a simple “NO” will do I guess, you’ve already got ALL the reasons!!

i trust no politician…

No, of course not, but I do trust one more than the other.

No, not all of them are a lie. Distrusting all democratically elected politicians is the first step toward losing democracy.

Democracy is never perfect. But it’s the best we got. A lot of people in the world envy Europe and North America.

A cannibal was walking through the jungle and came upon a restaurant
operated by a fellow cannibal. Feeling somewhat hungry, he sat down and
looked over the dinner menu.

Tourist: $5
Broiled Missionary: $7
Fried Explorer: $9
Freshly Baked Republicans and Democrats: $150

The cannibal called the waiter over and asked, ‘Why such a huge price
difference for the politicians?’

The cook replied, ‘Have you ever tried to clean one? They’re so full of
crap, it takes all morning!”

@CaptainHarley
LOL captain very true. I hope that is not the direction our whole society is following. I do worry that they are.
People seem to be totally self absorbed with no sense of right or wrong. Too many people lie too easily. I am not fooled.

I have no trouble trusting Barney Frank or Bernie Sanders. I wonder if the fact that they are named Barney and Bernie has anything to do with their frank qualities.

Oh GROAN! [ buries head in hands, weeps ]