Why doesn't anyone here run for government office?

Solauren · Post by **Solauren** » 2004-05-26 06:45am

Actually, IRC Yosimite Bear was going to try to run for President of the US this year (as a social experiment)

However, the real reason is probably two fold

1)- As Mr. Burns said on the Simpsons, no honest man can afford to run for office.

2)- As my father said 'The people that are smart or good enough they should be in office, are two smart to actually run for office'

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2004-05-26 09:35am

It's not as clear cut a profession as many think. There are probably countless individuals that have had this very idea before, but been corrupted along the way and turned into what they were trying to defeat or never made it into the big league to make a difference.

I've toyed with the idea, though frankly it's a job I'd rather let others take the flak for.

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2004-05-26 09:37am

If I decided to run for something significant, you can bet that my opponents would have plenty of smear material. I'm an atheist, and lots of nasty quotations could be preened from this board to make me look like an asshole. I'm basically unelectable.

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2004-05-26 09:39am

Durandal wrote:If I decided to run for something significant, you can bet that my opponents would have plenty of smear material. I'm an atheist, and lots of nasty quotations could be preened from this board to make me look like an asshole. I'm basically unelectable.

Awww, nah. You're too good for the politics world, Durandal. Your efforts would be appreciated in whatever field you choose to go into other than politics.

You could always "influence" parties if you get power in the future...

Post by **Gandalf** » 2004-05-26 09:42am

What does it take to run for Ambassador to some country?

Keevan_Colton · Post by **Keevan_Colton** » 2004-05-26 10:13am

Gandalf wrote:What does it take to run for Ambassador to some country?

Run for ambassador?

Ambassadors arent elected, they're appointed. Short answer, have a buddie get elected

Vohu Manah · Post by **Vohu Manah** » 2004-05-26 10:19am

Not eligible for any of the interesting ones (under age).

General Zod · Post by **General Zod** » 2004-05-26 10:59am

i've thought about doing politics from time to time, but given that my private life would be in the public spotlight for a considerable amount of my career in it, and the fact i'm generally lazy, chances are i never will. Plus my straight-forward approach would likely make me unelectable in the eyes of the public.

Tsyroc · Post by **Tsyroc** » 2004-05-26 11:38am

I haven't run or made plans to run for office but this year I got fed up enough with the garbage going on that I decided to end my stint as a Independant and registered as a Republican.

I've been figuring that the parties start fucking things up in who they pick during primaries and this way I'll be able to participate. I tend to like the Republican party better than the Democratic party, especially in Arizona where the Republican party has historically had a Libertarian slant.

I'd also heard that some of those fuckheads supporters of Bush & co are trying to unseat Republicans that don't fit their idea of what Republicans should be and replace them with the kind of Bible thumping corporate lacky type that would go along with Bush's agenda.

So, surprise, surprise there's a somewhat strong Republican challenger to Arizona Congressman Jim Kolbe this year. Kolbe happens to be gay and that has to be sticking in the craw of many Republicans across the country.

Crazy_Vasey · Post by **Crazy_Vasey** » 2004-05-26 12:53pm

Because I'm a lousy public speaker and a lousy liar. How would I ever make a politician if I couldn't lie?

Alferd Packer · Post by **Alferd Packer** » 2004-05-26 01:05pm

1. I'm too young, and
2. I'm an atheist, and would never be elected in this day and age(about 1/3 down the page to see the table in question).

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2004-05-26 01:54pm

Admiral Valdemar wrote:
Durandal wrote:If I decided to run for something significant, you can bet that my opponents would have plenty of smear material. I'm an atheist, and lots of nasty quotations could be preened from this board to make me look like an asshole. I'm basically unelectable.
Awww, nah. You're too good for the politics world, Durandal. Your efforts would be appreciated in whatever field you choose to go into other than politics.

You could always "influence" parties if you get power in the future...

It's funny because my family's always told me that I have the face for public office, which is probably true. I usually tell them, "Yeah but wait till I open my mouth."

If I was going to get involved in the political arena in any way, it'd be as a commentator on TV or an editorialist.

Gil Hamilton · Post by **Gil Hamilton** » 2004-05-26 01:56pm

At least you could probably get the Jack Kennedy Debate effect, Durandal. Just make sure all your debates are televised and your opponent has the charisma of Richard Nixon.

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2004-05-26 02:02pm

Gil Hamilton wrote:At least you could probably get the Jack Kennedy Debate effect, Durandal. Just make sure all your debates are televised and your opponent has the charisma of Richard Nixon.

I'd be 10-fold worse than Al Gore in the debates. Sure, I'd answer all the other guy's points directly, but I'd be openly contemptuous of him.

Actually, that's not strictly true. I can put on a good face if I need to; I used to be a salesman. And that's all politicians really are.

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2004-05-26 02:06pm

I tend to be slightly endeared to a politician who actually argues the points...

Perhaps if we had someone that did actually express their opinions, the publlic would be refreshed and not so disillusioned about politics.

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2004-05-26 02:18pm

The legendary Jeremy Paxman interview with Michael Howard comes to mind. Damn, can some politicians define evasion or what.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/n ... 094255.stm

Check the clip at the bottom of the page to see what I mean.

McC · Post by **McC** » 2004-05-26 02:26pm

Alyrium Denryle wrote:Perhaps if we had someone that did actually express their opinions, the publlic would be refreshed and not so disillusioned about politics.

That's what I'm saying. Everyone seems to be saying, "I haven't gotten into politics because doing so would mean becoming a liar and compromising on my principles."

Not what I was talking about in the OP. I'm saying: why doesn't someone jump in and try to do things right, without bullshit slimy politics. Be honest with your voters, tell 'em how it is on both sides, give 'em the truth, not sugar coated, and point out when your opponent is lying to them or not telling them the whole story.

Get into politics and succeed by not politicking. That's the idea I'm trying to suggest by saying, "Why hasn't someone from these forums, a collection of intelligent, reason-minded thinkers, stepped forward to do things the right way and restore people's faith in the government?"

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2004-05-26 02:27pm

Clip link is dead.

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2004-05-26 02:28pm

McC wrote:
Alyrium Denryle wrote:Perhaps if we had someone that did actually express their opinions, the publlic would be refreshed and not so disillusioned about politics.
That's what I'm saying. Everyone seems to be saying, "I haven't gotten into politics because doing so would mean becoming a liar and compromising on my principles."

Not what I was talking about in the OP. I'm saying: why doesn't someone jump in and try to do things right, without bullshit slimy politics. Be honest with your voters, tell 'em how it is on both sides, give 'em the truth, not sugar coated, and point out when your opponent is lying to them or not telling them the whole story.

Get into politics and succeed by not politicking. That's the idea I'm trying to suggest by saying, "Why hasn't someone from these forums, a collection of intelligent, reason-minded thinkers, stepped forward to do things the right way and restore people's faith in the government?"

You are just adorable.

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2004-05-26 02:29pm

Feck, was hoping it was just my proxy settings.

Well, if you can ever find it, it's well worth watching. Paxman is known for attacking politicians like a doberman and refuses to give in to their bullshit and will cut in if you're just bullshitting anyway. He basically asked the same question to Howard at least 20 times and each time Howard didn't give a "yes or no" answer and pulled the bullshit stunt. In the end, he got up and left I think.

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2004-05-26 02:30pm

Durandal wrote:
McC wrote:
Alyrium Denryle wrote:Perhaps if we had someone that did actually express their opinions, the publlic would be refreshed and not so disillusioned about politics.
That's what I'm saying. Everyone seems to be saying, "I haven't gotten into politics because doing so would mean becoming a liar and compromising on my principles."

Not what I was talking about in the OP. I'm saying: why doesn't someone jump in and try to do things right, without bullshit slimy politics. Be honest with your voters, tell 'em how it is on both sides, give 'em the truth, not sugar coated, and point out when your opponent is lying to them or not telling them the whole story.

Get into politics and succeed by not politicking. That's the idea I'm trying to suggest by saying, "Why hasn't someone from these forums, a collection of intelligent, reason-minded thinkers, stepped forward to do things the right way and restore people's faith in the government?"
You are just adorable.

He believes in his fellow men, not a bad trait, but I'd sooner favour the more cynical worldview given it's more likely correct.

McC · Post by **McC** » 2004-05-26 02:36pm

Admiral Valdemar wrote:He believes in his fellow men, not a bad trait, but I'd sooner favour the more cynical worldview given it's more likely correct.

Well, actually, it's more like I undertand why my fellow man no longer believes in his peers and the only way to fix that is to restore man's faith in his peers...right?

McC · Post by **McC** » 2004-05-26 02:41pm

Understand. *sigh*

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2004-05-26 02:47pm

McC wrote:
Admiral Valdemar wrote:He believes in his fellow men, not a bad trait, but I'd sooner favour the more cynical worldview given it's more likely correct.
Well, actually, it's more like I undertand why my fellow man no longer believes in his peers and the only way to fix that is to restore man's faith in his peers...right?

Gotcha.

Still an impossibility.

Thinkmarble · Post by **Thinkmarble** » 2004-05-26 03:14pm

McC wrote: But does anyone else here feel the same way? Does anyone else here feel such outrage that it's time to get involved directly?

I already went for a place on the city council 3 years ago ( for the greens/alliance90), and did actually the third place relative to the other party members which still was not enough to be voted in.
Nowadays I'm simply no loner up to date with politics and do not have enough time (studying and all) to be a good representative.

And frankly my decision to be put on the ballot has nothing to do with rage but everything with taking responsibility for the community I live in.

The idea that politicians are different in their ethics from is bullshit, there are not better nor worse then aby other human being, there are just put under far more scrutiny.
And what you call comprimising principles I call to adapt to realities.
The greens came under fire for "jettising (spelling ? there is an "o" missing, I'm sure) their principle for power" when they became a governing party for the first time, news flash, what happened is that suddenly they assumed a position where they could try to press their principles through and were forced to realize that this would not gonna fly, that there are other people who disagree with them who may even have a point.

StarDestroyer.Net BBS

Why doesn't anyone here run for government office?

Re: Why doesn't anyone here run for government office?