...the least qualified.

I think the biggest problem with politicians are their egos. They are the most egocentric people I’ve ever met. And I’ve met a whole lot of ‘em in my career as a writer for newspapers. Mostly local politicians. Mayors, city council members, county commissioners, state officials, congressmen. It builds their egos just to get elected. It’s euphoric. They relish the power, too. Able to make and influence decisions. Oh, some of them are idealists, of sorts. But it’s the ego gratification that keeps them going. The ability to get elected. And they like playing the game of politics. But I find the ones I like best are the ones that decide to quit early on. Because they feel politics becomes too corrupting. They more or less have to sell their souls to stay in office. They can’t be honest and still stay in office. Because if they speak the truth, they’ll become unpopular. They have to watch virtually every word. Yes, play the game. And they don’t want to do that. It compromises their ethics. Their nature. Oh, these are the leaders we need. But they won’t emerge. Because in a democracy, I guess, we are free to chose the least qualified. –Jim Broede