From: ithildae Date: 1 December 2008 18:41 (UTC) (Link)

I really think that is too cynical. The politicians that achieve more than just local office do care about people, individually. Their sense of the population may be skewed, but they really do want to make things better.

Lobbyists and bureaucrats are different animals altogether. Lobbyists are supposed to represent their client's interests, and those can easily run counter to the welfare of the American people. Bureaucrats are those individuals that know how to cut red tape, lengthwise. I have no understanding of their motivations whatsoever.

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From: lwj2 Date: 2 December 2008 01:21 (UTC) (Link)

I disagree.

The Washington establishment is, by and large, very interested in the populace -- at least, in the contents of their wallets.

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From: unixronin Date: 2 December 2008 01:46 (UTC) (Link)

Ah, but "being interested in the populace" and "having the interests of the populace at heart" are two very different things, neh?

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From: lwj2 Date: 2 December 2008 02:05 (UTC) (Link)

Point, Phil.

"At heart" would, however, require the presumption that a politician has one.

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From: unixronin Date: 2 December 2008 02:51 (UTC) (Link)

Well if they don't, what am I gonna do with all these damn sharpened stakes...? :)

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