I don't plan on talking much about politics on my blog, mainly because thinking about it too much makes me want to take a shower. But one thing that really grates my cheese is this whole business of campaigning while in office. Take the two current major presidential candidates, for example. Both McCain and Obama are senators, so they are supposed to be representing their respective states in the Senate. Right now, though, they're spending very little time actually doing the job for which their constituents voted them in (and for which taxpayers are paying them). Am I the only one bothered by this?
So a question: Say you're basically phoning it in at work because you're too busy looking for your next job. How long would it be before you'd be fired?
3 comments:
No, your not the only one that feels like that. I feel that way and I heard many people comment on that. I agree. It's not right...but then a LOT of things that those guys do are not right...
I do agree with the principle, but how else are you supposed to campaign? You need time off from any job unless you have already achieved massive wealth (which in this case, yes, they have). And if you don't get elected, you do need your old job to fall back on.
I suppose I have a unique perspective on this because of my husband's campaign a few years ago. There are several reasons the school district decided not to renew his contract, but the decision was heavily influenced by his campaign the previous fall. He was just running for a local office, but still!!! I do think, though, that they do need to do their best to stay on top of their current jobs.
So I just don't know, I guess. There is no perfect solution.
@smendrick: You make a good point, although I was talking more about the national stage. In that case, the candidates are already wealthy and could easily afford to actually quit their current jobs.
But what about at the local level? Many county- and city-level candidates are not wealthy and cannot afford to quit their jobs to campaign. One might argue that if you can't afford to campaign, then you shouldn't, but that would mean that only wealthy people would be able to run for office. Anyone else have thoughts on this?
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