Anyone else have political ambition?

[Yooper]

Back in Michigan, the local City Council overturned a legitimate election on an obsolete technicality because they didn't like the guy who got voted in. A lawsuit was filed by the prospective Councilperson and it went to Court. Reading the Judge's ruling, the Judge stated that based on the City Charter, the person could not be seated. He then indicated in his ruling the City Charter itself was most likely unconstitutional, but he had no power to actually rule on that (a separate lawsuit would need to be filed in a different court). He then went on for several additional pages in his ruling, suggesting very strongly that the City Charter be revised, as it was possible the ENTIRE Charter was probably invalid.

When the City Council did NOTHING in regards to the Judge's very clear instructions, I worked on an ad hoc citizen's committee to revise the Charter. I had planned to work on that, then maybe run for City Council myself during the next cycle of two years. It was then I realized the City Council had NO interest in fixing the errors, and NO interest in bringing the Charter up to date or legal (there were still words in it requiring women to wear dresses of a certain length while walking on city streets). I also realized the public didn't care either, and would continue voting the same 'Yes Men' and 'Yes Women' they'd been voting into office in cycles forever.

I resigned in disgust.

Every two or three years, that City Council hires a City Manager from outside the community, he/she starts to make some changes, they fire him/her and the cycle begins again.

It's pathetic.

I left town. Forever.

That town, which at its peak population in 1950 was about 12,000 people just dropped below 5,000. It is dying a long, excruciating, painful death because everyone thinks some magical economic miracle will happen by doing nothing at all.

Since that episode, I have NO interest whatsoever in serving on anything to do with local politics. It's awful.

 

[NotHardUp1]

Since that episode, I have NO interest whatsoever in serving on anything to do with local politics. It's awful.

So many seem to fall within one of just a few categories:

1) Entrenched local merchants or professionals trying to control his market conditions

2) Single agenda candidates who are elected to push some zoning protection or the like

3) Developers and landed interests controlling their governments

4) Corrupt power-brokers selling to the highest kickback scheme

5) Religious fanatics trying to either repel the next religion from moving here and/or violate the US Constitution's establishment clause

 

[ClubLevelVegan]

Being involved with local politics? Yeah. Political ambition? Absolutely not. I already have enough mental problems.

 

[Sausy]

I ran for precinct delegate in the democratic party back in the '90's. They don't want new ideas or leaders... they seek followers. Politics on both sides are a from the top down operation.

I only wish I had the intellect or temperament to seek office. We need though all the people we can get who want to do the right thing and be public service minded, so the negativism about "top-down politics" or "undue influences" suggesting ultimate corruption if you get there is disconcerting, to say the least. Maybe you don't fit the mold, maybe you aren't a mere follower...well look at the present state of our national politics and see where that has gotten us. FUCK the rules, Fuck the establishment...or things will NEVER change. AOC, anyone? Or a number of others who recently or in the past challenged well known, powerful incumbents and won? Running for office isn't the be all and end all, either. You can always get involved in the areas that most interest, most matter to you... and if you're smart and capable, for fuck's sake, go for it! Even if you're a lawyer(though goodness knows we have more than enough of them) but we could use as many people from all walks of life in our local, state and national offices. Just be interested in learning as much as you can, be open to working with people and be PATIENT above all. I only wish I could be the last one, in particular, lol! I likely have what would be a form of Asberger's syndrome and get terrified about being with a whole group of people I don't know, so a future in politics wasn't in my cards...(though try to shut me up in front of those I'm much more comfortable with, lol), and I also lack focus and concentration, so I just wouldn't be good enough. But so many of you would be awesome public servants,( and ultimately, despite the "lifers" in politics, that's what you are and should remember always)from what I see of your posts and can glean from them. So if you really feel it in you to want to serve the public in some capacity, and you have the passion for it, some real knowledge in one or more fields and want to keep learning and growing... go for it, and just be involved in something short of it that really has you interested and passionate about.

 

[me203]

In years gone by, I had a fantasy at some point about trying to get my name on a ballot (probably just one) for US president. Just to do it. And I entertained myself with thinking of the cracks I could make when telling people... ("Proof anyone can run!" )

I lost interest in this... Probably at least partly due to the influence of seeing real world elections play out cycle after cycle. Particularly 2016...

 

[Telstra]

I ran for precinct delegate in the democratic party back in the '90's. They don't want new ideas or leaders... they seek followers. Politics on both sides are a from the top down operation.

meaning America is going down hill slowly but surely ?