Well said. I have always viewed politicians as people I elect to do the work I don’t have time for.
Yes, I have opinions about most political decisions but do not have the time to commission research, look at alternative solutions and debate options on each and every one. So, I vote for someone who I believe is most likely to have the same instincts as me when making a decision and they are paid to make sure that decisions are made having devoted the appropriate resources and time in reaching them. If they personally are not on a Committee their job is to evaluate the evidence/rationale provided by the report of those Committees in deciding which way to vote. Then all politicians are accountable to their electorate to explain the “why” of their vote.
Obviously, this is too idealistic, but it is the only rational explanation form why politicians exist.
C Wright Mills in the 'Power Elite' noticed this phenomena of celebrity culture mingling over to politics. John Ralston Saul in 'Voltaire's Bastards' also writes a chapter on it. You are correct, it is dangerous, and one of the sicker symptoms of our politicians complete detachment from their supposed duty.
While I love the title for the article, I take issue with the implication that systemic nationwide police violence, brutality, and murder of unarmed, non-violent citizens is a common occurrence and propaganda of this sort only adds to the growing criminality in American cities. The criticism of Truman is an over-reaction to a decent man who ended WW II and rebuilt Europe.
Well said. I have always viewed politicians as people I elect to do the work I don’t have time for.
Yes, I have opinions about most political decisions but do not have the time to commission research, look at alternative solutions and debate options on each and every one. So, I vote for someone who I believe is most likely to have the same instincts as me when making a decision and they are paid to make sure that decisions are made having devoted the appropriate resources and time in reaching them. If they personally are not on a Committee their job is to evaluate the evidence/rationale provided by the report of those Committees in deciding which way to vote. Then all politicians are accountable to their electorate to explain the “why” of their vote.
Obviously, this is too idealistic, but it is the only rational explanation form why politicians exist.
C Wright Mills in the 'Power Elite' noticed this phenomena of celebrity culture mingling over to politics. John Ralston Saul in 'Voltaire's Bastards' also writes a chapter on it. You are correct, it is dangerous, and one of the sicker symptoms of our politicians complete detachment from their supposed duty.
While I love the title for the article, I take issue with the implication that systemic nationwide police violence, brutality, and murder of unarmed, non-violent citizens is a common occurrence and propaganda of this sort only adds to the growing criminality in American cities. The criticism of Truman is an over-reaction to a decent man who ended WW II and rebuilt Europe.