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I hear this.
But indulge me a moment in an uncharacteristic defense of politicians. https://twitter.com/voteweaponizer/status/1334167313873039360
But indulge me a moment in an uncharacteristic defense of politicians. https://twitter.com/voteweaponizer/status/1334167313873039360
As a system, US politics is a shitshow deep in the bowels of a flaming dumpster.
This is just a fact and needs no defense.
But the trajectory of politicians is often much more complex.
It's naive to think that everyone who runs for public office is merely seeking power.
This is just a fact and needs no defense.
But the trajectory of politicians is often much more complex.
It's naive to think that everyone who runs for public office is merely seeking power.
More often than we would like to believe or are shown by the system of politics, people go for public office because they see something wrong in society and want deeply to change it.
Running for office isn't fun. Especially if you're new at it.
It's expensive and draining
Running for office isn't fun. Especially if you're new at it.
It's expensive and draining
People tend to run for public office with a lot of grand ideas about how to make things better, shake up the system, help people who are struggling and hurting.
And then they meet the political ecosystem.
One that is larger and older than them.
And then they meet the political ecosystem.
One that is larger and older than them.
All of a sudden, the people who have been there longer begin to explain to them "how things are"
They inform them of the rules and regulations of the ecosystem and how to prioritize their efforts.
They explain "common wisdom" about elections.
And that's the catch.
They inform them of the rules and regulations of the ecosystem and how to prioritize their efforts.
They explain "common wisdom" about elections.
And that's the catch.
"Common wisdom" about elections was born in a different era.
It is a relic of a pre-information age. It's pre-postmodern. It is based on sociopolitical dynamics that just don't hold the way they used to.
This is one of the key points of friction between AOC and the Dems.
It is a relic of a pre-information age. It's pre-postmodern. It is based on sociopolitical dynamics that just don't hold the way they used to.
This is one of the key points of friction between AOC and the Dems.
People who just entered public office are inundated with information about what "won't play" in the states, about what one can or can't back, how far one is allowed to go...
And it's all in service of a game for which the rules have long since changed.
And it's all in service of a game for which the rules have long since changed.
A really sad and unfortunate fact is that while there are those entrenched in the upper echelons of power, beholden to their corporate buddies, that's hardly everyone.
What politicians are told is "If you really want to make the change you want, this is how you have to play"
What politicians are told is "If you really want to make the change you want, this is how you have to play"
And even this advice isn't purely cynical. There is a real belief that there is the One True Way to fundraise, to do outreach, to gain traction, to change hearts and minds, and to do so while keeping one's office.
It's just really rare for people to buck that advice.
It's just really rare for people to buck that advice.
We get stagnant politics for the same reason that Hollywood gives us endless reboots.
They don't see or feel the space to take chances and will go with what they know worked before because it worked. Even if something else would work much better.
They go for easy and reliable.
They don't see or feel the space to take chances and will go with what they know worked before because it worked. Even if something else would work much better.
They go for easy and reliable.
Political parties don't want to back longshots or underdogs or people with ideas they don't think are "electable" and will fight to keep them out of the picture.
Unfortunately, these are frequently the people who would be key in making things better.
Unfortunately, these are frequently the people who would be key in making things better.
But the political parties aren't just acting on baseless information either.
They know that often what is best is not the same as what is popular (just look at covid policy) and even if they know someone has a better idea, they fear losing their standing to go out on a limb
They know that often what is best is not the same as what is popular (just look at covid policy) and even if they know someone has a better idea, they fear losing their standing to go out on a limb
