Do politicians become more corrupt the longer they are in politics?

Quixote1818

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Fri Dec-21-07 09:39 PM
Original message

Poll question: Do politicians become more corrupt the longer they are in politics?

Sorry to make this a push poll, but I find that a lot of people get into politics for all the right reasons. Early on they are dreamers, ready to change the world and right all wrongs. However, as time passes they just get drunk with all the power and get more and more caught up with special interest and the next thing you know a good person has become corrupt and forgot why they got into politics to begin with. For me, being in Washington too long tends to be a bad thing and the young, energetic, fresh faced candidates are the ones that still have the heart and soul to change things.

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yourout

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Fri Dec-21-07 09:40 PM
Response to Original message

1. Without a doubt.......YES!

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Double T

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Fri Dec-21-07 09:43 PM
Response to Original message

2. corruption seems to be inevitable; best reason I know for term limits.

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cloudbase

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Fri Dec-21-07 09:43 PM
Response to Original message

3. Yep.

They start believing all the b.s. that people lay on them about how important and vital they are.

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gateley

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Fri Dec-21-07 09:44 PM
Response to Original message

4. No - Jimmy Carter comes to mind, as does Biden, who has never met with a

lobbyist.

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Quixote1818

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Fri Dec-21-07 09:46 PM
Response to Reply #4

5. Some people are incorruptible

You have to love them! :loveya:

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1corona4u

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Fri Dec-21-07 09:47 PM
Response to Reply #5

6. Exactly.

:-)

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LakeSamish706

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Fri Dec-21-07 10:00 PM
Response to Reply #4

9. I vote no, and agree with those of you that say it depends on the person...

I don't think it has anything to do with the length of time as a public official, but more to do with the character of the individual.

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MethuenProgressive

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Fri Dec-21-07 09:48 PM
Response to Original message

7. Between Obama, Edwards, and Clinton, who has been an elected politician longest?

:popcorn:

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cali

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Fri Dec-21-07 09:51 PM
Response to Original message

8. I actually think if it's going to corrupt you it'll happen pretty quickly

My Senators are definitely not corrupt. Pat Leahy has been in the Senate 34 years. Bernie was in the house for something like 15 and he was the mayor of Burlington before that. Howard Dean isn't corrupt. I could name a lot more: John Conyers, Barney Frank, Barbara Boxer, etc.

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onehandle

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Fri Dec-21-07 10:01 PM
Response to Original message

10. Republicans are attracted into politics by the corruption right up front.

Easy money. Look at newbies in the Bush administration. They're in it for the cash payoff.

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sandnsea

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Fri Dec-21-07 10:09 PM
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11. No, I think most of them are honest

The dishonest ones always were, the honest ones get smeared with the dirt of the dishonest. Not every person who you disagree with is dishonest. And even idiots like Coburn might be honest - just wrong.

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killbotfactory

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Sat Dec-22-07 01:06 AM
Response to Original message

12. It depends on how much power they have

and how accountable they are for how they use it.

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