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The amateurization of politics



In an article titled Activist groups are ‘amateurizing’ our political candidates, the authors make a point that a concern is that "the groups are magnets for amateur candidates."

He is right. They are amateurs. That's the way politics was meant to be. People from communities who were elected to represent their communities in Washington and then return home to pass the torch to another person who was committed to community or public service. They were very much connected to their communities and could represent their needs effectively.

The political system breaks down when politics becomes a professional career. We can see the detrimental effects of this shift as politicians stop servicing their communities and start servicing the businesses and individuals who can support their professional career. And since their salary is limited, they start accepting bribes from the wealthy. Of course, doing so is only self-serving and doesn't serve the people who they supposedly are supposed to serve.

Yes, the up and comers are amateurs, but they believe in looking out for the welfare of their communities rather than their own welfare. They want to do something, not be something. And that can only make things better for the people.

"They want to do something, not be something. 

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