Sadly, American politics carries mostly negative associations these days, and “politician” ranks with used car salesmen as amongst the least trustworthy of professions. It wasn’t always this way. A political career was once a noble calling, and amongst the most virtuous was attracted to public service where they could alleviate suffering and enhance the quality of life for their fellow citizens.
Bismarck correctly described politics as “the art of the possible,” and for those few who were graced with the legislative skills and the virtues of patience, wisdom and vision politics was never “a public chore to be got over with, but … a way of life” (Plutarch) that could accomplish great things.
Politics, of course, has also attracted amongst the least virtuous of citizens motivated by the accumulation of power, privilege and wealth. Though there are many good, honest and decent people serving in office on the local, state and national levels, unless they are already in office those without vast personal wealth and/or moneyed connections will never be able to compete nor serve.
The Republican field for President is, as I see it, utterly bereft of the quality of men and women this country needs except, perhaps, the former Governor of Utah. Thankfully, we have a good man currently sitting in the White House, but the threat to his effectiveness is substantial not only because of the obstructionist nature of his opposition but of the corrosive nature of the system itself. What is required of the President and of those good people who serve (Republican and Democrat alike) will test their character to the very core. I wish them well and Godspeed.
Rabbi John Rosove's Blog 
Rabbi Rosove,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts…I am really enjoying your daily blog. I think the problem here is simple…politians have forgotten how to listen. Less talking and more listening might help. See you on Shabbat.
There may be a good man in the WH but he is lacking in negotiation skills at very least. All of the children in Congress deserve a good spanking from their mommies so they will play nicely together. Both parties are at fault. The pres said ‘no no no’ in the debt ceiling issue, and then capitulated to virtually every demand from the republicans. The best thing he could do would be to announce early next year that he will not seek a second term. And then we might get some good Dems stepping up to the plate.
You certainly are much kinder than I. I hope that field of Republican candidates is exposed for the miserable, mediocre bunch of lying, hypocritical misanthropes that they are, their candidate loses the presidential election to President Obama, the rest lose their respective elected offices, and we never have to hear from that gaggle of goons ever again.
Yes, Gov. Huntsman seems to be the sanest of the lot. I might add Buddy Roemer (former Governor of Louisiana) to that list, but unfortunately his candidacy hasn’t received the attention it deserves. Check him out if you have a chance, his insights on the role of money in the process deserve more publicity and it seems like he has a solid track record. It otherwise seems to be a race to be the most anti-intellectual.