If it were the case, then I'd agree with you. But surely, you must agree that politicians are rarely thought of as honest people? See my sig, line two.
Also, we have a large divide in just exactly what kind of political environment most of us feel is ideal. Right now, and for some time now, politics has been about securing the most votes. How they go about it, is dishonorable. A large part of this is the people themselves. What Apsts said about the black "culture" in this nation is exactly right. Factor in the Jews, the Catholics, the Latino's, the Asians, and all of us seem to disregard what's best for everyone instead looking out for number one.
It's "precisely" why local governments should be the larger of the representaive structure. Without local authortative representation, large democracies, or democratic republics will fail. It's inevitable.
Tim-