[amprecon]

Why don't more "normal" people run for local, state or federal office? Is it because we (and I humbly place myself in the "normal" category) have more noble purposes such as raising families and struggling to live within the ever shrinking confines of the law?
Is the prospect of becoming an elected official and being labeled a politician beneath most of our character levels? Is it because we hate standing and speaking in front of crowds? That's my main reason, choking in front of thousands of people (ok, maybe ten or so, so I'm ambitious so what).
Obviously the pay and benefits are good, it's been attracting criminals for a long time, and no background checks or common sense is required. If these lewzers can get elected why can't we? Does it really require an immoral character and a criminal mind to get elected?
If I were ever elected I wouldn't be a lawmaker, I would be a law-eraser.

[Russ]

One excellent reason is that you have to suck up to too many people to get enough money to run. I remember taking a civics class in 11th grade in 1972. At that time, our teacher wanted to run for a seat in the PRK State Assembly. He said he couldn't do it unless he could raise $200,000. That's alot of money back in 1972. If I had that much back then, I would be worth several million dollars just buying one or two single family homes in Southern PRK where I lived. In the 1980's real estate took off and has been totally outrageous ever since.

So if you need 200K in 1972, Im guessing you have to get several million now to wage an effective campaign. So, unless you are rich, you have to find some rich people and do alot of sucking up for money.

[El Tejon]

The Benjamins.

When I last ran for office, I used a kung fu trick and pledged not to take ANY campaign donations and asked my opponent, an heiress to the gas pump meter fortune, to do the same. Oddly she declined and then blew me out of the water. Well, with a budget of $0.00 what kind of advertising can you get?:D

When I run again, 2006, I will ensure I have the Benjamins all lined up before I do anything.

[Monkeyleg]

Running for office entails having an upside-down life for months, or even a year or two, prior to the election. It means making connections and spending a ton of time lining up supporters. All on the chance you're going to win.

Once you're in office, you're working long hours for not a lot of pay (at least at the state and local level). And you're a target for everyone, no matter what you do.

The people I know who've been elected, and whom I respect, went through all that because they believe in what they're doing. It's the ones who hang around for decades, milking the system and doing nothing that are the problem.

[10-Ring]

As days go by and things get more confusing & frustrating, the more I think I'd like to try my hand at it to at least try & straighten things out.

[Blackhawk]

As I've often said, I don't think the Founding Fathers ever imagined that a profession called "politics" would ever emerge.

It's often said that "Politics is the art of compromise." That pretty much shot any political aspirations I might have had in the neck. I admire people who DON'T compromise. Wishy-washy should be flushy-wushy. If they don't stand firm for their beliefs, they'll stand for anything -- including selling us out or compromising those who voted them in.

[chaim]

Too much money to run a campaign.

Too much time to not work and make a salary.

Too many people who think they own you.

Too many people who think they have a right to treat you like crap because they disagree w/ you.

Everything you've ever done in your life is public knowlege.

For several years, from my mid teens to mid twenties, I thought I wanted to run for office. NO WAY I'd do it now. If I got involved professionally it would be behind the scenes, but I doubt I'd even do that because I'm getting rather annoyed at politicians of all stripes now days.

Maybe I could run for a very local office after I retire- county council or school board and maybe state House of Delegates, where one can still be pretty anonomous, but nothing bigger.

[Freedspeak]

The cost is probably the main reason for not running in most areas. Filing fees for state office is somewhere between 5% and 10% of the yearly pay of the office in Florida for non-major party candidates (don't have the book handy just now. ):).
With the redistricting the petition signatures requirements were way lower than normal and could be from statewide rather than a district, made ballot access much easier. Reason I know about this is that I was asked to run for state House Rep. in my district by the Libertarian party.

Interesting side note is that the Libertarians had more candidates running in state rep. races than did the Dems. They may not have won any seats but at least they got on the ballot and people are becoming aware of them. Some of them actually got some good percentages in the 3 or more way races and the 2 way races

[Patch]

:banghead:

In the small town I live in...it is pretty much a fruitless effort to run for office with the expectation or hope that you will make a difference....to accomplish this in the best form, one would need to run with a group of people having the same or similiar goals of changing things for the bettter...least all you are is one voice who is out numbered by the remaining four council members that act as clones for the most part

[MLH]

"There is no distinctly native American criminal class, save congress." Mark Twain

Nough said.

[AnklePocket]

It's tough enough trying to be sensible with a handful of people let alone an entire constituency. It's going to be a lot easier and more productive to move to Pennsylvania. I could've been somebody.

[NewShooter78]

Costs aside, I wouldn't want my personal life on the table for everyone to see. And if it were I fear that I could only be elected as a Dem!:D Just kidding, I'm not THAT bad. :evil:

[Smoke]

My father was a better man than I. He ran for and held several offices on the local level. Small non-paying offices. (School Board, City council, etc)

He once told me "Only a fool seeks political office. A man that is smart enought to do any good is smart enough not to run." He was somewhat kidding when he said that, but I beleive there is a lot of truth to that statement.

The politics of politics, being under constant scrutiny, being attacked from one side or another for any decision, do not sound like fun to me.

I always beleived the office should seek the man. Not the man seek the office. Anyone that wants to be in any political office should be immediately disqualified due to questionable mental stability.

:)