Politics! What is it about politics that it attracts so many nutters?

Politics! Earlier today, someone in an online forum posed the question:

What is it about politics that it attracts so many nutters?

I decided to respond…

Here are just SOME of the reasons…

• The political environment, regardless of party – tends to be abhorrent to all but the dysfunctional, ‘less astute’ and even socially/mentally immature. There are rare exceptions of course.

• The pay is too low. Way too low. The best (financially motivated) talent tends to go to business. Can you imagine someone like Sir Richard Branson (a decent chap too) trying to make headway in the halls of governance? Fancy paying peanuts to the people who run a country. Ughh urgghh.

• Other talented people such as scientists, artists and so on have much more stimulating and worthwhile things to do.

• Politics is illusory – the false notion that we have a democracy is just one example. We have elements of democracy; however I quote:

Democracy is a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance.

Henry Louis “H. L.” Mencken

With a system based on this, it is not surprising that we are led by people elected by the collective wisdom of individual ignorance ;-)

And the proof of the pudding?

The mess we have endured.

The mess we currently endure.

The mess we will have to endure.

As the good Lord said:  “By their fruit you shall know them”.

Addendum 11th March 2010

My forum post  attracted the following comment (sic):

I think the assumption of pay gives good outcomes is an ignorant and flawed assumption. I currently work in a large corporate and don’t see pay proportional to skill/talent. Seeing many large corporates going to ruin under the leadership of highly paid individuals disproves the theory.

Contractors/consultants get paid more then required, people with fluffy descriptions getting paid more than required doesn’t lend well to that arguement (price/performance ratio is generally hightly skewed in the price favour). Their strength is generally self belief, or belief that others will be ignorant to work out the lack of value. Things such as the ability to manage upward and know the right backs to stab is what gets people places, and money.

My perception is in general base pays may be low for a politition, but prestige/perks are high, and infamy and the ability to do $5000+ (actually that is what gets paid to an ex-sports talent for a one hour stint) a pop talks infront of a group of bored corporates says, there is definately money to be made from a career in politics. This once again disproves theory of pay=good. … See More

The best potential artists, scientists, leaders may actually be living in the streets, but will never get a chance! People give themselves labels of grandure and be it politics, arts or science (but there is less to be gained in the latter).

In our system, Democracy is an illusion, as our choices are really not choices, to me we have two options that have the same value set, therefore offer nothing different with “me too” policies. So to is the concept of pay being proportional to skill/ability is an illusion, held by an equally ignorant group of people to the “unwashed masses”. Analyse things better.

My response:

I agree that pay does not always relate to outcomes; which is why I used the word “tends”.

I brought Branson into the equation (along with the comment about his character) to add further balance because as you point out, there is much bad in business too. In fact, many in business are overpaid because they are good at politics…. See More

And yes, there are many educated derilicts. I was once one of them and at one time could not afford milk for my tea. The challenge (and qualification) is to be able to overcome (and be worthy).

There are many cases where pay, in any field, is not related to skill/ability, however the general principle of craftsmen serving before kings has applied down the ages and is still in effect today. (Of course, the general principle does not apply to everyone, or every case).

Anyway, thank you for your comments. I appreciate the reality check.

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