Madeline
Rookie
- Banned
- #61
There are many traits that we all look for and admire in our leaders. If they don't have these traits then the chances are they won't win and they'll have to go to work like the rest of us. These traits are not listed in order of importance but each one is important none the same.
1. Do you like the person?
This is usually the number one trait need to be successful in politics. Most of the voters must like you personally. If they like you they tend to overlook any faults you may have.
2. Do you trust them?
This is almost as important as the first but it seems in some people's minds it doesn't matter as much as being a winner does. Being trustworthy is important but winning tends to overrule trust in some people's minds.
3. Do they make you feel safe?
I know this is a big one but it is secondary to the other two. It really depends on how you feel about yourself and your place in the world. Do you feel that there are threats out there and if you feel it's the case does it seem like they're on the case? Are you afraid of threats outside the country or within? This will determine who you vote for.
4. Do they listen to you?
It's important to be in touch with the folks. If they give you the impression that they feel they are better then you do you think they will get your vote?
5. Are they competent leaders?
If a politician seems spineless chances are they won't get your vote....but this all depends on what you feel is spineless. Do they stick to their guns? Do they act like they know what they're doing? Do they bend with the wind or stand up to everything that's thrown at them...and take it with class?
6. Do they believe in what you believe?
This one tends to overrule many of the others. It's kind of hard to vote for someone who believes in abortion when you don't. It's also as hard to believe in a politician who likes to raise taxes when you feel you're overtaxed already.
Now ask yourself these questions. Ask them about Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, or anyone else.
If most or not all of the answers are NO then chances are that person is in serious trouble come November. Some people will get only one yes and still vote for a candidate because that trait is more important then all of the others.
Anyone who wants to discuss why the politician in question gets a no or a yes....feel free.
mudwhistle, my POV is that 99% of all folks who choose politics as a livliehood are what are known as "high power image needs" type folks -- yanno, sociopaths?
People who seek after fame a la Hollywoord etc. want Fame.
People who seek after money (to the exclusion of all else) seek to feed their Avarice.
But People who seek after Power are the scariest of them all to me...and we call them POLITICIANS. They are also called Serial Murderers...Confidence Artists...Talk Show Hosts...etc. Not every sociopath is bright and not every one is getting his groove on. As with anything else, some sociopaths fail to acieve their goals.
Bernie Madoff = Ted Bundy = Ronald Reagan = Adam Lambert.
Ever see a Betty Davis movie called "All About Eve"? It's the story of how many lives one chick is willing to destroy to achieve her goal of being famous and the creepy way she cloaks her bad behaviors and black heart. And that is sociopathy -- a zero ability to/interest in the effect any action one takes does/may affect others. The ONLY test a sociopath puts a plan through is "Will This Work?"
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6m37ddd2Sc]YouTube - All About Eve (1950) Trailer[/ame]
I will admit to having the blinding sensation that Obama was the Second Coming of MLK Jr., whom I deeply loved and still grieve for. But leaving aside my ability to succumb to bullshit and misdirection....
When a politican is a person who, in college or thereabouts, chooses politics over say, cancer research or landscape gardening, as his path/goal in life, IMO that's a person with a craven need to be able to influence and control others. I happen to have seen politicianss in their natural environment, up close and personal, when they relaxed behind closed doors, etc. Not one single damned one of them would hesitate to chew through a carpet of babies to get at what they REALLY seek -- POWER.
I vote for the candidate whose platforms and campaign telegraph to me that he will be the one least likely to harm me. In Obama's case, he telegraghed to me that not only would he not harm me, he'd actually advance some issues of social justice I hold dear.
I should have known better. I was naieve, but mudwhsitle, what excuse is here for naievete' in one's mid-50's?
Anyone who worships at the altar of a man or woman on the political stage -- as opposed to merely joining the candidate's posse and getting such rewards as access and the ability to force them to listen to you -- will someday enjoy the same uncomfy burining senation I have now.
Heartburn.
These are very appealing monsters. The key is to always remember that one must take care in interacting with monsters not to be bitten...or chewed through. The power-mad are very different from you and me, mudwhistle. We look at whom our actions will harm and place limits on ourselves accordingly. The Power-Mongers do not.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bF4BxBdcd7Y]YouTube - The happy Monsters Band[/ame]
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