Every now and then I have to write this: A lot of good people, some I know personally, do not understand the political arena. They may have been successful in other arenas, but politics is not less intellectually challenging and requiring of study than medicine or engineering or pick-your-thought-intensive-field.
Some of these articles might occasionally show some anger or frustration on my part. The target of those emotions are the frauds and profiteers that are so prevalent in politics. Not the good people doing what they can.
Set aside the con men for a moment—a lot of good folks do not know what to do about the mess that is Illinois. The primary reason is that those who are entrusted with leadership in the party, in public office, or in nicely paid political celebrity gigs, have proven they are not worthy of that trust (or I have yet to convince them that they are on the wrong path).
Again, if they knew what to do, they would be doing it. They would be building what is needed to win governing majorities. Yes, in Illinois.
A question that is begged at this point is not just whether they want to win—which we addressed recently. It is—do they think winning is possible?
Those in leadership positions who do not think Illinois can be turned Red are dishonest for holding their position. Their continued occupation of that office reflects negatively on their character. (Example: a state legislator just biding their time to get an overly generous taxpayer funded pension.)
If they do not think winning is possible, they should resign immediately. If they think winning is possible and they do not know how to win, they should go to school. If they do not know where to go to school, they might want to take some time and find out.
My writings over the past few years—and in fact, for about 20 years—is that school. Call it Dispatches University. Do I give all the details about how to win? No, but I know them. I do not give them away for free because you do not give the wrong people the right answer because they will inevitably screw things up. Have you heard the thing about casting pearls before swine or not giving dogs what is sacred?
I have watched particular types of people in politics—those who are ethically challenged to say the least—take good projects and mess them up. Their actions cause a loss of support from the smarter donors. (The dumb donors just keep writing checks.)
Why is the Republican Party incapable of getting a lot of important work done? Because there are not enough people willing or able to volunteer many hours and days and weeks of their lives to accomplish it.
Yes, the party has an important and critical role to play. Having worked at the RNC in D.C. and having participated in three suburban GOP orgs (serving on the board of a good one), I know party politics and the party’s potential and have written about it. But everyone needs to face the reality of its limits.
There is a direct parallel between political work and non-political work. There is a direct parallel between political jobs and non-political jobs.
Rather than spell out things in excruciating detail, I prefer to make general observations. Treat it like a puzzle, if you want. Read this article at moneyinc.com:
20 Worst Jobs in America You Should Avoid: Career Paths with Low Satisfaction and High Stress
We need to make all of those 20 worst jobs volunteer positions.
Great idea, no?
That idea is the same one offered by our GOP elected party and government leaders—and especially the celebrity class when it comes to real ground level political work (the only work that wins elections).
Incredibly stupid idea, you say? Well, welcome to Illinois and frankly, national GOP politics—where important members of the stupid party continue to fail and thus cause unnecessary suffering across the state and country.
Up next: Political Jobs v. the Jobs Americans Should Avoid According to MoneyInc.com.
Click here for the ongoing series.
Image credit: RNC.com banner, edited.
