Is being a 'good person' important for a politician?

Is being a 'good person' important for a politician?

Or, phrased differently, but meaning the same thing: How important is personal integrity and character in your representatives?

While there are many important factors, I say critically important. A good person, or a person with integrity and character, will be more likely to do what they promised (and hold to it in the face of adversity), and will be more prone to do the right things (at least as they honestly believe them to be) for the right reasons (not party reasons).

The farther you get away from integrity and character the less likely any of this is to be.

I consider it to be one of the most important factors in a candidate. When I think of "good" I boil it down to empathy and trustworthiness. I think it is important that a candidate cares about the people that they are representing, and can be trusted to tell the truth and follow through with their promises. However, ultimately policy is the biggest factor for me. If one candidate is a really good person, but has policy positions that are a complete 180 from mine I can't vote for them.

MrPeanut said:

I consider it to be one of the most important factors in a candidate. When I think of "good" I boil it down to empathy and trustworthiness. I think it is important that a candidate cares about the people that they are representing, and can be trusted to tell the truth and follow through with their promises. However, ultimately policy is the biggest factor for me. If one candidate is a really good person, but has policy positions that are a complete 180 from mine I can't vote for them.

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And that's fair. I don't mean to suggest anyone should vote for a person who will do what they promise if said promises are 180 degree from what you believe. That doesn't make sense, either. But for me, at least, while I would not vote for such a person, I would still have respect for them.

All people are good and bad. Fact.

It would be nice if all great leaders that have made this and other countries great were also good men. But it is not a fact.

The sad fact is that truly good people unusually go to their grave without even the shirt on their back. That is because they gave it someone who needed it more.

The other sad truth is a lot of the qualities needed to be a great leader are not the same qualities that make someone a good man. Few if any people are gifted with both. The vast majority of people have strengths and weaknesses.

radcen said:

Is being a 'good person' important for a politician?

Or, phrased differently, but meaning the same thing: How important is personal integrity and character in your representatives?

While there are many important factors, I say critically important. A good person, or a person with integrity and character, will be more likely to do what they promised (and hold to it in the face of adversity), and will be more prone to do the right things (at least as they honestly believe them to be) for the right reasons (not party reasons).

The farther you get away from integrity and character the less likely any of this is to be.

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Yes, it is. Even though I'm sure people will bring up Jimmy Carter, as being the most intelligent and "goodly" of men, but, a poor politician. True, but Carter also dealt with external forces at work like the gas crisis and inflation of the late 70's.

I wasn't around for Carter, so that's going off of what I read in The Secrets of the Temple, as well as listening to people on this message board, of spots on the spectrum oscillating between hack to level-headed.

Here's why I voted being a "good person" is important.

We have legalized bribes in this country. Special interests can send their lobbyists with a pen and a checkbook to make sure, the people's will never sees the light of day, if the people's will, runs ccontrary to a special interest.. say.. higher taxes. "Good people" would decline to take their bribes, because then, they would be corrupted, or beholden to the special interest more than the will of the people, or, even their own innate wisdom to make judgement calls. So, this is part of the reason why, it's important to be a "good person" as a politician. Being a "good person" isn't as important as it would be if we had a monarchy, because power is very, watered down in the U.S. So, a few bad apples can become corrupted, while the whole, of the government can still represent the people. Unfortunately, in the last 30 years or so, the entire American government has become corrupted at every level. Special interests have bought off both sides, and they run the show.

I contend that Democrats are as corrupt as Republicans, they are just better at fooling you about it. And progressives are the only way, to return the government to the hands of the people. Evidence, you ask for? Democrats and the special interest that own them, torpedoed, the only presidential candidate who refuse SUPERPAC money: Bernie Sanders campaign. Because the special interests that own the Democratic Party, would rather a Republican win, because they have paid off both sides. Either way, Dem or Rep, Goldman Sachs wins the election. And Trump is probably the single most corruptible and worst candidate, you could ever pick to become a politician. Becuase he's such a horrible, weak minded, welcher. I'll repeat it for those in the back: TRUMP is the WORST possible person you could've picked for a politician. Look at everything Trump is, and reverse that, to have a decent candidate.

So, since the special interests own both parties, and Progressives aren't beholden to them, they recognize, progressives as the sole bastions of the people left. Doesn't matter your politics, if you think progressives are commie liberal bastards, Progressives are your last bet, if you want representation in government, because the Republicans and Democrats are completely corrupted by big money. And Democrats would rather lose to a Republican than win with a Progressive, because the Special Interests are completely comfortable and safe with Republicans, but, not Progressives.

radcen said:

Is being a 'good person' important for a politician?

Or, phrased differently, but meaning the same thing: How important is personal integrity and character in your representatives?

While there are many important factors, I say critically important. A good person, or a person with integrity and character, will be more likely to do what they promised (and hold to it in the face of adversity), and will be more prone to do the right things (at least as they honestly believe them to be) for the right reasons (not party reasons).

The farther you get away from integrity and character the less likely any of this is to be.

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How good is a poll about an oxymoron.

Winston said:

I contend that Democrats are as corrupt as Republicans, they are just better at fooling you about it. And progressives are the only way, to return the government to the hands of the people. Evidence, you ask for? Democrats and the special interest that own them, torpedoed, the only presidential candidate who refuse SUPERPAC money: Bernie Sanders campaign. Because the special interests that own the Democratic Party, would rather a Republican win, because they have paid off both sides. Either way, Dem or Rep, Goldman Sachs wins the election. And Trump is probably the single most corruptible and worst candidate, you could ever pick to become a politician. Becuase he's such a horrible, weak minded, welcher. I'll repeat it for those in the back: TRUMP is the WORST possible person you could've picked for a politician. Look at everything Trump is, and reverse that, to have a decent candidate.

So, since the special interests own both parties, and Progressives aren't beholden to them, they recognize, progressives as the sole bastions of the people left. Doesn't matter your politics, if you think progressives are commie liberal bastards, Progressives are your last bet, if you want representation in government, because the Republicans and Democrats are completely corrupted by big money. And Democrats would rather lose to a Republican than win with a Progressive, because the Special Interests are completely comfortable and safe with Republicans, but, not Progressives.

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I agree with that. The biggest problem is that Progressive candidates are the only ones even talking about getting money out of politics. Basically every other wing in politics doesn't even care enough to give lip service to the issue.

MrPeanut said:

I agree with that. The biggest problem is that Progressive candidates are the only ones even talking about getting money out of politics. Basically every other wing in politics doesn't even care enough to give lip service to the issue.

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They are paid not to.

Progressives should pitch themselves as America's last chance. A vote for Dems or GOP is a vote for the insurance companies. Insurance companies bought both sides, vote for me, I'm refusing all big money.

That was part of Bernie's appeal, his integrity. And trump appealed to that same strain of "my gov doesn't work for me anymore, they work for their donors."

Wait, someone actually voted for "not important at all?"

Well, you do have to be "good" enough that you don't get removed from office

Jesse Booth said:

Wait, someone actually voted for "not important at all?"

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Trump still has roughly a 40% approval.

I voted critically important. Character and integrity are core personality traits.

I don't have to agree with their politics, or their agenda, I live in California, so I haven't had a candidate of choice elected in decades. But at least be honest.

Sadly, that trait does not exist, at least among California politicians.

Jesse Booth said:

Wait, someone actually voted for "not important at all?"

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you scoundrel

Crovax said:

you scoundrel

View attachment 67219436

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Ah, you got me! Ain't I a stinker?

radcen said:

Is being a 'good person' important for a politician?

Or, phrased differently, but meaning the same thing: How important is personal integrity and character in your representatives?

While there are many important factors, I say critically important. A good person, or a person with integrity and character, will be more likely to do what they promised (and hold to it in the face of adversity), and will be more prone to do the right things (at least as they honestly believe them to be) for the right reasons (not party reasons).

The farther you get away from integrity and character the less likely any of this is to be.

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I voted "critically important." Public service and the good of the people should be the core motivation for everything a politician does. The reason I believe people should start small, such as town councilman (though even a spot on a neighborhood council isn't an unfair thing to ask), isn't just so people start learning the ropes for governing, but also to see whether they even have the aptitude for public service.

And as for competence, that's always nice of course, but if a politician isn't good, then all you're left with is a competent person with bad motives.

radcen said:

Is being a 'good person' important for a politician?

Or, phrased differently, but meaning the same thing: How important is personal integrity and character in your representatives?

While there are many important factors, I say critically important. A good person, or a person with integrity and character, will be more likely to do what they promised (and hold to it in the face of adversity), and will be more prone to do the right things (at least as they honestly believe them to be) for the right reasons (not party reasons).

The farther you get away from integrity and character the less likely any of this is to be.

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I chose point one knowing full well that experience, education and good fortune are hard to get by without.

MrPeanut said:

I agree with that. The biggest problem is that Progressive candidates are the only ones even talking about getting money out of politics. Basically every other wing in politics doesn't even care enough to give lip service to the issue.

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This is where the people come in. WE need to stop rewarding lip service. Yet, we have short memories and fall for it pretty much every time.

Collective "we", of course,

Critically important. Integrity, empathy, patriotism, ethics, education, and truthfulness are indispensable to public service.

Unfortunately, such a notion seems quaint and old-fashioned at this juncture.

I voted NO, why?

American history is littered with politicians that were NOT good

In our most current times it looks as if being BAD is a virtue of the average politician

isn't it obvious?

radcen said:

Is being a 'good person' important for a politician?

Or, phrased differently, but meaning the same thing: How important is personal integrity and character in your representatives?

While there are many important factors, I say critically important. A good person, or a person with integrity and character, will be more likely to do what they promised (and hold to it in the face of adversity), and will be more prone to do the right things (at least as they honestly believe them to be) for the right reasons (not party reasons).

The farther you get away from integrity and character the less likely any of this is to be.

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Sadly, Integrity and Character are the most critically needed identifiers to enjoy a very brief career in politics.

“…a good moral character is the first essential in a man…It is therefore highly important that you should endeavor not only to be learned but virtuous.”

-George Washington

code1211 said:

Sadly, Integrity and Character are the most critically needed identifiers to enjoy a very brief career in politics.

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Right. Integrity and character =/= telling people what they want to hear.

radcen said:

Is being a 'good person' important for a politician?

Or, phrased differently, but meaning the same thing: How important is personal integrity and character in your representatives?

While there are many important factors, I say critically important. A good person, or a person with integrity and character, will be more likely to do what they promised (and hold to it in the face of adversity), and will be more prone to do the right things (at least as they honestly believe them to be) for the right reasons (not party reasons).

The farther you get away from integrity and character the less likely any of this is to be.

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Where is the "Apparently Not" option?

radcen said:

Is being a 'good person' important for a politician?

Or, phrased differently, but meaning the same thing: How important is personal integrity and character in your representatives?

While there are many important factors, I say critically important. A good person, or a person with integrity and character, will be more likely to do what they promised (and hold to it in the face of adversity), and will be more prone to do the right things (at least as they honestly believe them to be) for the right reasons (not party reasons).

The farther you get away from integrity and character the less likely any of this is to be.

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It should be important. But most would rather elect a lying sack of **** if they think that person has a better chance at winning. Plus with the media having little to no objectivity you can't tell if the media is flat out lying, blowing things out of proportion,lying by omission or maybe actually telling the truth about a candidate.

jamesrage said:

It should be important. But most would rather elect a lying sack of **** if they think that person has a better chance at winning. Plus with the media having little to no objectivity you can't tell if the media is flat out lying, blowing things out of proportion,lying by omission or maybe actually telling the truth about a candidate.

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I agree that too many people think that way. It has never made sense to me. I've never been so insecure that I had this deep-seated need to be identified with the winning side that I'd vote for a bad candidate because of it.