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Mike Colera

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Do politicians extort taxpayers to provide funds to support their inflated bureaucracies or their exulted social position or power.

Politicians at all levels address the taxpayers pockets as their own never ending resource to achieve status, wealth or power. Politicians tell us they need funds to provide the services their constituents demand.
Examples of these behaviors are broadcast on nightly news.
City employees manage huge retirement packages and when the premium comes due, tells the taxes payer they need more to pay for police and fireman.
Public school administrators with fleets of high end cars in the motor pool, offices filled with assistants and 50 % of their school's employees are not teachers, ask for more funds or teachers will have to have 10 more kids in each class making any improvements in the 25% drop rate even more untenable.
On the national level, one politician was roundly defeated when he called out another politician for promising constituents "goodies" if elected. National politicians don't have funds to provide "goodies" to the nation, they have to dip into the national back pocket. Only on that level, they don't even have to con the taxpayers, they just take it.
Now it has been said that politicians do good for the people. I am sure that some are as noble as Mother Teresa. But I have seen more self interest then public interest.

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    Robert Winner 50+

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    Jan 15 2013: Our representative democracy was based on for the good and the will of the people. The reality of politics today is that lobbiests, unions, PACs, and billionaire donors all have agendas. Even after saying that, corruption is made so available that the tempation is overpowering. Nancy Polsi just made a bundle off of Visa by insider trading. Using knowledge of how legislation would favor the company she invested prior to the information being announced. Congress is the only place in the world where this would not be frowned upon ... they have decided that this is legal and ethical ... for them ... not the public.

    There is not a member of Congress that is not a millionaire and getting richer by the day. If a law is not favorable to the elite (politicians) they exempt themselves from it ... such as Obamacare ... but it is good enough for the peons.

    Make no doubt about it ... politicians are in it for themselves. They have ruled that after four years in office you can retire at full pay (our money). Name another job where that occurs.

    There has been much talk about a 27th amendment that makes politicians follow laws and binds them to abide by the laws they make. It is interesting that lawmakers did not read the Obamacare package and excused themselves from the smell of it alone.

    Since most are rich ... politics are in my opinion .. the last bastian ... pure power and ego. I think that most are already morally corrupt and from there it is a small step to become without ethics also.

    It has to be about the power and ego. Why would a man leave a multi million dollar a year job for a 400 thousand dollar a year job. It is his spot in history ... nothing to do with the citizens.

    I wish you well. Bob.
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    edward long 100+

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    Jan 13 2013: Do birds fly? Do sea creatures breathe underwater? Do politicians extort taxpayers to provide funds to support etc?
    The common answer is: mostly, but some don't.
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      Mike Colera 10+

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      Jan 13 2013: But why? Do they start out that way? Is there something that changes them? Is it a disease that can be cured?
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        edward long 100+

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        Jan 13 2013: The system is designed to be primarily influenced by the expressed will of the people via voting and correspondence. Unfortunately that part of the demographic is largely characterized by ignorance and apathy as demonstrated by the large percentage of eligible voters who do not register or vote. The most influential factor in winning re-election has now become special interest groups and political action committees. Thus the elected official serves, not the will of the people, but the desires of the influencial few who are active and devoted to getting their agendas promoted. The fault lies with the free men and women of America who do not participate in promoting their agendas. That's why most politicians seem to serve something other than the wishes of the people.

  • greg dahlen 20+

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    Jan 11 2013: I don't think you can generalize. Some do, some don't. But there are natural checks, if someone is overly exploitive, sooner or later we kick the bugger out. Public service ultimately means being of service.

  • John Smith 30+

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    Jan 11 2013: The alternatives to a democratic government with social programs are:

    1) warlords/billionaires/bankers/dictators (there isn't really a difference between these)

    2) Somalia, aka Libertopia (where morbidly obese tebaggers don't have taxpayers to pay their expensive medication for them)

    So unless you are proposing something constructive you're not really helping anyone. Everyone can complain, not everyone can offer solutions.
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      Mike Colera 10+

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      Jan 12 2013: I wasn't proposing a debate or a means to offer an opinion on a constructive resolution. I was merely asking a question on a perception. Am I wrong, many politicians do not use their positions for personal aggrandizement?
      Those that do, did they start that way or did the position change them? How do they become self-righteous bigots? Is removing them from office after the damage is done the only way to resolve the problem. Can we create barriers for exploitative behavior in the rules of governance ? I don't have answers, just questions.
      I am sure there are some in this arena who can give this some thought rather then "just shoot the messenger".
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