I'm thinking hard about being in politics. - Page 2

Fair enough. But then, if only the people who aren't concerned about money get into politics, doesn't that preclude them from representing a large portion of their constituency, especially in these economic times?

I don't mean to belabor the point, I'm just wondering what conclusions you've come to on the topic. I myself was young and interested in politics at one point, then started pondering these questions and my principles and decided another profession was for me.

I'm talking about the practical implication of what you're saying. Presumably, those who don't need the money from a job in politics have been successful in another venture. Man cannot live on the virtue of his motives alone; he's got to eat at some point, too. The kind of person who would turn down a paycheck is the kind of person not swayed by money, yes, but he's also the kind of person for whom money is not a constant concern. For 99% of his constituency, it is. How do you reconcile that in terms of representation?

Do they? There are several ways to influence policy, from what I understand, and being an elected official in many cases isn't the most efficient way to do so.

There are certain principles anyone has to negotiate/sacrifice in the decision-making process, which is doubly true at the public policy level. I'm not sure sacrificing one's essential principle - in the case of Libertarians, that government be the smallest possible size to maintain the state - is worth it.

But, of course, that's a position we can agree to disagree on. I just want to make certain that Northern has thought through these issues before he seeks public office, because they're moral quandaries that he'll face rather quickly should he be successful.

I don't believe the president gets a pension, does he? I was under the impression that most (if not all) of a president's post-career income comes from speaking engagements, public appearances and the like.

Again, I don't mean to belabor the point, and I think we probably have an ideological difference here that will keep us from coming to a perfect agreement, but what constitutes a "job well done" by a government official to you? Staying out of the way of private enterprises, sloughing off responsibilities laid on the government that should rightly belong to private industry, etc.? I wouldn't be able to hold public office because I would view a job well done as making sure my job was as streamlined as possible, refusing certain responsibilities I don't believe the government should have a hand in. I pay myself for doing less work?

I would never join, it's stressing () but if you decide to good luck... I still have my opinions though.

Northern49

I also plan to get involved in politics at some point in my life, and have taken steps to make sure my online profile and activities cannot be monitored by anyone other than myself. I'd advise you to delete and/or thoroughly edit any accounts or memberships you have with all websites. Make yourself untraceable. Opposition research by your opponents could lead them to a gold mine of trouble for you if they are good enough at searching the internet for your past secrets/political commentary.

I'd advise you to get a good education, preferably a college bachelor's degree. I am graduating next year and am planning to attend law school the year after that. I'm studying for the LSAT's right now actually. A good education background makes you seem capable and smart, though actual results and charisma is what really drives a good politician into the higher ranks of government, as does lobbyist money and selling your soul for the support and vote of your peers, as they will equally expect your help with their bills (which will probably hurt the interests of the very people who elect you), it's a complicated system. But any way, off topic.

It's easy to get involved with local government. Run for Central Committee, then become a member of City Council. The next step, State Representative/Senator, then Congressional Rep/Senator. Or take the executive path to a career - work under the State Governor, Auditor, Secretary, Attorney, etc, learn their job, and then one day run for the office yourself. Other than that, work on your public speaking, debate, and interpersonal communication skills. Smile. Talk. Relate to people and have some entertaining stories to tell. Bill Clinton wrote in his book that in his first run for public office, he was more worried about the opponent that was handsome and articulate than the other opponent that was actualy already a high-ranking government official. Smart man. One more thing, which is very important: get involved in local campaigns. Knock on doors, make phone calls, walk in parades, etc. It's very important to understand how politicians campaign to get elected. It's a skill you will definitely need if you truly want to be a government official some day. Good luck.

Oh yeah, and you will be a bitch when you work with political campaigns. I have been involved in 2 campaigns (10+ if I count when I just worked half-days or weekends, short volunteer work) - all make you a door knocking, phone calling bitch. I will be a Campaign Manager soon, which involves me making people my bitch and doing the grunt work and me more behind the scenes - though I will still be out performing grunt work on a constant 24/7 basis. But yeah, if you get into politics, expect to be somebody's bitch at first. You need to learn from the bottom up. It's a good experience. It has changed me in a way. The establishment is very different once you are involved in it. I ran for and was elected to Central Committee last March. I was on the ballot, had to door knock and hand out flyers for myself, etc, the whole 9 yards. It was interesting, and I've learned a lot. In the end, I will probably just become a lawyer and say screw politics. But who knows. Again, good luck!

quote Northern49

I am an idealist, and a strong one at that. I have passion for a new society and leadership beyond vanity, beyond personal interests. Since I was a boy I've seen myself as someone who is destined to influence change in a very meaningful way. Now I am slowly realizing what I need to do. I would one day run as a Libertarian, pro-social, pro-financial liberal, conservative hybrid in Canada, but first things first, I am first focused on entering local government.

My problem is more so focused on the Internet, and my clear paper trail of sarcastic, racist, homophobic, or any sort of quotes that can either be taken out of context to slander me in an election, or something outright stupid I could have said when I was 10 or 11 that I don't even believe anymore, is a real threat to my public image.

What do you think I should do? Should I try to hunt down these things and try to get rid of them in any way I can, or should I just let myself be open and power through it? One part of me knows that I don't actually believe half of the things I say, and my sarcasm and sense of humour should just be recognized as that, and only that. The other part knows that people, especially an opposing party can be downright spiteful and use anything they can to attack someone with, and people really do believe it. I don't want to find myself buckled under a Ron Paul newsletter type situation one day, but I also absolutely hate self-censorship. I think a lot of politicians are fake and reserved, and I would rather be a truthful man than a hypocrite. Every political should be honest with themselves and others, and a dishonest politician should not be in politics.

Emotions and the false sense of anonymity on the Internet can be a bad combination for posting embarrassing things on the Internet. I think a lot of people, especially people on forums and message boards, no matter who they are have said something online that can really, really hurt someone's chances at a big time election. But faced against an older person who doesn't really do or say much online, I can see myself faced against a very, very deceitfully pristine person.

Politicians either have to lie, or do things in secrecy if they want radical change. Otherwise, politicians can only introduce poicies which are in line with the general consciousness of the masses. And, if the masses are apathetic and parochial, it will show in the polices of the goverment, as they take control. Yet, it is from this (increasing) parochialism that can only be achieved when a certain standard of living is attained by the masses. This parochialism won't last under certain policies, though. It's all context.

If you wish to introduce policies which not everyone agrees on - whether they, or you, are right or wrong - they will not come to pass, unless said parochialism is in place, which can only survive under certain policies.

If you study any political sociology, you'll know that governments don't hold all the power. There are many determining factors in society which hold power, and influcne the decisions of everything. The masses are one example. Businesses another. There are so many factors, that, at this point - unless we run into some disaster... nuclear/envrionment/zombie (lol) apocolypse - then, there will only be micro reforms in the future, which will seem less and less as the more utopian society becomes.

You have no chance whatsoever if the masses don't agree with you... even 30% is a big number of voters.

If you want change, you're doing it now. Every action you and I take has consequences for the future. You, and I, are society, and part of it. If you want change, you need to understand that it has to come organically. If you want a reduction in crime, help others to be more understanding... educate them... society is a process. Education is very important, whether your policies are right or wrong. Humans will eventually overcome fallacious beliefs, and synthesis all valid truths for better understanding.


Even IF you got elected, you're policies will not create anything different; it's called pragmatics. Good luck to you in whatever you do.

Just keep in mind: you won't be happy when doing it (being in politics). Happiness will come from not worrying what others think of you; in politics, it is the opposite.

Fair politics is almost dream in this world. Politics is a game, always good player win the game.