Do Politicians Deserve the Bad Reputations They Have?
Posted: Monday, November 16, 2009
by Carolyn Tytler
Unfortunately, in most cases, politicians do deserve their bad reputations. There is no difficulty in calling to mind corrupt legislators at all levels of government: municipal, regional, provincial or state as well as on the national scene.
After all, politicians are only human, and they have the same faults and failings as the rest of us. However, they are subjected to the constant scrutiny of the media spotlight. Ordinary citizens can commit minor misdemeanors which will usually go undetected, but when a politician slips, his error is written about in the press, commented on in talk radio, and spread coast to coast on the evening newscasts.
After the election, there is a rude awakening. Promises are broken; cronies are appointed to key positions on the basis of loyalty rather than talent , and companies which made large donations to the campaign fund are rewarded with plump government contracts. Taxes are increased so government officials' salaries, benefits and pension funds can be enriched.
If voters are lucky, their elected official will see to it that his constituency is looked after. Perhaps there will be road improvements, job incentives, or other perks to improve the existence of the voters who put him into power.
People living in any jurisdiction which elected a member of an opposing party may just as well prepare to sit on their hands until the next election. Nothing of note will be happening in their neighborhoods.
It is true that power corrupts. Even those politicians who enter government with the best of intentions and a sterling character are soon affected by public adulation and willingly avail themselves of multiple opportunities to improve their circumstances.They see colleagues acting dishonorably, perhaps even the head of state is disgracing his office, and sooner or later most politicians will succumb to the temptations that surround them daily.
They come to believe that they are privileged, that ordinary codes of conduct and decency don't apply to them in their exalted positions. However, by this time, thanks to the ever-vigilant media, the voters have become aware of what is happening. The politicians realize that the political tide is turning and that their time in power is limited. If they know they won't be reelected, they may throw caution to the winds.
They will pardon friends in prison; they'll enact legislation favorable to family and close friends, they'll publish material blaming the opposition for problems they're leaving behind, and they'll do everything possible to make matters difficult for the incoming government.
Sadly, after the next election, the same vicious cycle begins again. That seems to be the legacy of the human condition. We're fortunate we live in a democracy where there is a time limit on the terms our politicians serve.
Those unfortunate enough to live under Kim Jong-il, Robert Mugabe, the Castros, or Muammar al-Qaddafi have no such consolation.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Very well written article, Carolyn. Full of too many unfortunate truths. There is, of course, no simple solution. However, I think if we could drastically change the way campaigns are funded, that would be a good start. In the meantime, I refuse to contribute any money to any politicians' campaign, regardless of how I feel about the candidate. If campaign contributions by large companies were eliminated entirely, I'd be willing to contribute to the campaign of my chosen candidate(s)
I agree, Joyce. It's the same story here in Canada, and I react the same way you do.
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