When JPK III announced his candidacy the other day, I was trying to figure out why I was so willing to vote for him despite being a political unknown. This article helped me understand. Despite being wealthy, the Kennedy family still sees people as individuals and has true sympathy for the poor. A quality I value. The younger generations don't take a pass on public service to make millions. The irony, of course, is that his namesake must be turning over in his grave. He was the epitome of the rich politician described in this article!
So wealth or power "desensitizes" people because this allows them to be independent of others. Wow. Stunning conclusion. If we live in a free society we certainly can't prohibit people from becoming wealth can we? Not without paying a price in a lack of innovation that benefits us all. So having some wealthy, however ungenerous people is unavoidable. However, having this same phenomena grow among politicians and other public figures IS manageable, isn't it? Term limits on ALL offices, at ALL levels of government would contain the McLaughlins, O'Briens, DiMasi and DiNunzio's corruption, indifference and incompetence would it not? Certainly term limits can't prevent any of these problems but certainly they inhibit the opportunity as well as proscribe its reach. The author here focuses on the insensitivity of the wealthy but the real story is the inevitable insensitivity of politicians as they stay and gain power....at all levels of government. The risk to society is FAR greater in the public sector to this, apparently natural, phenomena. It can be contained. Why isn't this the LEAD of the story instead?
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I'd love to participate in a study like one of those cited in the article. Where do I sign up for a winning lottery ticket in order to qualify? ;-)
When JPK III announced his candidacy the other day, I was trying to figure out why I was so willing to vote for him despite being a political unknown. This article helped me understand. Despite being wealthy, the Kennedy family still sees people as individuals and has true sympathy for the poor. A quality I value. The younger generations don't take a pass on public service to make millions. The irony, of course, is that his namesake must be turning over in his grave. He was the epitome of the rich politician described in this article!
So wealth or power "desensitizes" people because this allows them to be independent of others. Wow. Stunning conclusion. If we live in a free society we certainly can't prohibit people from becoming wealth can we? Not without paying a price in a lack of innovation that benefits us all. So having some wealthy, however ungenerous people is unavoidable. However, having this same phenomena grow among politicians and other public figures IS manageable, isn't it? Term limits on ALL offices, at ALL levels of government would contain the McLaughlins, O'Briens, DiMasi and DiNunzio's corruption, indifference and incompetence would it not? Certainly term limits can't prevent any of these problems but certainly they inhibit the opportunity as well as proscribe its reach. The author here focuses on the insensitivity of the wealthy but the real story is the inevitable insensitivity of politicians as they stay and gain power....at all levels of government. The risk to society is FAR greater in the public sector to this, apparently natural, phenomena. It can be contained. Why isn't this the LEAD of the story instead?
but, but, but, what about the Beverly Hillbillies? They stayed true to their roots, even in their mansion.