The American Mind’s Tell Me What You Really Think is a daily interview series featuring the host, Spencer Klavan, and The American Mind’s publisher and editors aimed at dissecting the issues facing us in America today and finding out what the cast really thinks.
It would seem that the thoughtful class in America consider politics to have a goal of public service and obligations. The conversations focus on how good governance can lead to an improved America. And the enthusiasm for the achievement of successful governance is uplifting. Unfortunately I would argue that it is a false optimism based on a faulty premise; it feels like a politically oriented Wizard of Oz moment. Those interested in public office are largely sincerely interested in serving and bettering their community/state/country and get elected because the public largely appreciates that as a goal. Upon being elected, one discovers that in Washington, D.C., life is lived in a totally separate universe...I often think that the designation, D.C. actually stands for "distance corrupts." The reasons for this are many, but two stand out: 1) the aforementioned distance factor, and 2) the corrupt existance of an extensive self-protecting bureaucracy. The seduction into the "elite club" of elected officials is done with the subltlty of a senior devil campaigning for a human's soul; compromise is necessary and good (forget that compromise means that you accept failing to get what you believe is right), politeness is the norm (forget that much of what is said to and about you and things you value is not only disrespectful but ouright fals and vile) and you must not take offense. And then there is the bureaucratic behemoth that nods yes when you speak and order, and then ignores and subverts everything you attempt until you protect them...at which point they will support getting you more money and more power. These are insurmountable obsticles to responsive government...if the peoples' desires include that goal. There is reason to question that, since so many politicians are re-elected in the face of non- and mal-performance of their oath's of office. So...the program is a "feel good" operation on many levels, but not seriously aimed at what had made our government not "ours"but "theirs" (and we aren't really sure who consitutes "theirs").
It would seem that the thoughtful class in America consider politics to have a goal of public service and obligations. The conversations focus on how good governance can lead to an improved America. And the enthusiasm for the achievement of successful governance is uplifting. Unfortunately I would argue that it is a false optimism based on a faulty premise; it feels like a politically oriented Wizard of Oz moment. Those interested in public office are largely sincerely interested in serving and bettering their community/state/country and get elected because the public largely appreciates that as a goal. Upon being elected, one discovers that in Washington, D.C., life is lived in a totally separate universe...I often think that the designation, D.C. actually stands for "distance corrupts." The reasons for this are many, but two stand out: 1) the aforementioned distance factor, and 2) the corrupt existance of an extensive self-protecting bureaucracy. The seduction into the "elite club" of elected officials is done with the subltlty of a senior devil campaigning for a human's soul; compromise is necessary and good (forget that compromise means that you accept failing to get what you believe is right), politeness is the norm (forget that much of what is said to and about you and things you value is not only disrespectful but ouright fals and vile) and you must not take offense. And then there is the bureaucratic behemoth that nods yes when you speak and order, and then ignores and subverts everything you attempt until you protect them...at which point they will support getting you more money and more power. These are insurmountable obsticles to responsive government...if the peoples' desires include that goal. There is reason to question that, since so many politicians are re-elected in the face of non- and mal-performance of their oath's of office. So...the program is a "feel good" operation on many levels, but not seriously aimed at what had made our government not "ours"but "theirs" (and we aren't really sure who consitutes "theirs").