One of the advantages of driving to DC from North Carolina instead of flying is that it gives me time to think.  On this latest trip I spent a lot of time thinking about politics and religion.  (I know it’s sad, but it is what it is). None of the following is earth shattering, but I figured I’d get my opinion on paper before I forget what it is, and yes I reserve the right to change my mind.

I was just reading this piece in the Washington Post about all the perfectly legal ways that politicians can be paid off, uh, I mean incentivized, and it reminded me of my train of thought during the drive up.  That train of thought can be best summarized as: why are so many politicians slimy little bastards?

Harsh words?  Yes.  True?  I think so.

Here’s my stink test: Can you name more than three politicians that you respect?  Note that I used "respect" and not "like" or "agree with."  Really, how many politicians do you believe have well articulated principles, have a track record of sticking to those principles, treat their colleagues and constituents honorably and seem to sincerely have the good of the country/state/county/town at heart as they do their jobs?  How many have the courage of their convictions to the point that they can do what they feel is right even when they know they’re going to get hammered for it? How many have the humility to say "I was wrong" or "I stand corrected?" (That last was for President Bush).

Yes there are good people in politics and I would like to believe that they are the majority, in fact I very definitely used to believe that, but that’s no longer the case.  Here’s why I think most politicians are rather despicable:

• Politicians, like stars in every other public arena like sports and entertainment, are by nature self-centered.  They are their own "brand", their own "product" and so the only thing they have to promote is themselves. Their own economic and psychological well being must be their top priority, followed by everything else.
• Politicians are as susceptible as anyone, if not more so, to the human frailties of greed and vanity. They are easy prey for the hucksters, er lobbyists.
• The traits that help politicians succeed (see above) are the antithesis of many of the traits that most of us value: honor, integrity, humility.
• Politicians are "me" people, not "we" people.  We’ve all had dinner with "me" people and it isn’t much fun.

A corollary to all if this is the theory that the higher up you go the more pronounced the bastardization seems to get.  In other words I think I’m more likely to meet an honorable politician on the town council than I am in the halls of Congress.  That’s because:

• The more a person succeeds in politics the more pronounced the personality traits outlined above.
• If you’re a US Congressman the economic benefits of doing whatever it takes to survive are much greater than if you’re a member of the town council.
• The member of town council isn’t separated from reality.  A councilperson has a day job, doesn’t generally have a staff and definitely doesn’t have a bunch of groupies telling her how great she is.  Members of Congress are surrounded by sycophants.

So there’s my opinion about politicians.  For the record I have a lot of respect for the people who run the town where I live (Lewisville, NC).  They do a lot for a very little and they truly seem dedicated to building a great community.

Also for the record the only politician on the national stage (US) that I can come up with that I really respect is John McCain, if for no other reason than he seems to be able to march to his own drummer and has the guts to take on anybody.

How about you?  I would love to be proven wrong, so please feel free to nominate a US Congressman, Senator, Vice-President or President for the status of "I’m Not a Sleazy Bastard." You can do it in the comments of this blog or by sending me an email at jon.lowder AT gmail.com. If we can come up with 51 Senators, 218 Congressmen, one Vice President and one President then I’ll stand corrected. In fact if we can come up with that many politicians who would win an "I’m Not a Sleazy Bastard" contest then I’ll have my head shaved.