Quote:
Originally Posted by mookiemookie
You can run on any platform you like, but once you get to DC, the party whip greets you and says "Ok, the party will support you on this, this and this, but when you said that - forget it. Not happening. We'll help you out so long as you help us out and vote with the rest of the caucus or you'll be a one termer. Got it? Good. Now let's go have drinks with the lobbyists."
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And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how it is. What do you think would happen to a politician who would would tell the party leadership "forget the party, I am going to do what I feel is best"?
1. They won't be on any important committees
2. Their bills will die in committee
3. They won't get any money or support from the party either during their term or for their reelection.
End result, a complete waste of everything.
The priorities of a politician are
1. Get elected/reelected
2. Get others of their party elected/reelected
3. Garner support for their party and their party's agenda/platform
5. Do something good for the country as long as it does not conflict with 1-4
I wonder what priority 4 is? That's where you separate good and bad politicians. But that is way down the list.
It is one of the weaknesses of our democratic representative form of government.