On professional politicians

Let’s be honest, we are now voting for the best politicians, not the best leaders or policy makers.

That is, we are voting for those who are best at getting votes, not the best at governing. Which is why the people who actually have to govern are appointed... (a graceful ‘thanks, now move over’ from the elected officials).

Because elections cost, the ‘ideal candidate’ is good at raising money for themselves and their party, and then we wonder why elected officials do nothing but make money for themselves and their party once in office ...

The candidate is also very persuasive ... a good skill when most of your job involves convincing people to support what’s bad for them.

Without these skills, you won’t even be considered for nomination in most cases, so it’s no surprise that most politicians are alike. If it takes a certain type of person to get elected, then most elected officials will be of that type. This means that an excellent administrator or governor may not even make it on the ballot or will not be voted if they do. Such is the way of democracy... less a contest of skill, more a contest of popularity. 

It’s like having a good actor as the poster-child of a bad movie. They might be great but the script, directing, dialogue and supporting cast might suck nonetheless. So if you take the time to read a review for a movie before paying to see it, do yourself a favour and check out what’s behind the politician or party running for office before casting your vote. A bad movie will waste ~90 min of your time; a bad government will screw you over for several years.