Oligarks versus Pols
The great question facing California is this: Do we want as our governor a political hack who has sold him or herself over a long political career, or do we want a self-financing egomaniac? I hope we choose wisely.
We've done the political hack thing with varying results from Pat and Jerry Brown to Deukmejian and Davis. We now have the opportunity to follow Arnold with Meg Whitman or, Steve Poizner--both Silicon Valley multimillionaires.
The theoretical case for self-financing is that they are not beholden to any special interests and therefore they cannot be bribed or bought. We get their real and true judgment and values unmediated by politics. Hmmm. Interesting theory. In real life, how does this work out? How do we like John Corzine's judgment? Are we all ready to dial back time and support Ross Perot? And who could forget the judgment of that incorruptible multimillionaire John Edwards?
The problem, of course, with people of great wealth is not only do their money and success isolate them from petty political interests, but they also isolate them from feedback, coaching and the wisdom of others.
Some, say Meg Whitman for example, may become so isolated and delusional that they think it a good and appropriate idea to run for the chief political position in California without having much bothered to register or vote. They may believe in divine election and that their wealth equals competency. This is the way to oligarchy, not democracy.
©2009 Jonathan Dobrer
www.Dobrer.com
Well of course it's not an oligarchy if we are VOTING for these people... and we already, for the vast majority of positions, have elected leaders whose wealth does indeed insulate them from much everyday wisdom...that includes, of course, the "political hacks" to whom you refer.
However, you don't seem to be taking into account how these individuals got to be wealthy. If that indeed came about due to business smarts and good sense, then the fact they're wealthy becomes a strength they can bring to a woefully inadequate state government... perhaps.
Okay, Diane, since you've taken it on the chin a couple of times this week, let me give some positive reenforcement.
Nicely nuanced response. And yes, I am doing the name-calling by using the word "hacks." However, I mean it ironically, and ask people to consider that political professionals may also have some (but not all) wisdom. Some wealthy have good sense and smarts. Some smarts but no sense. Those with sense do tend also to have smarts.
Cheers!
Jonathan
I believe we should support Russ Perot. He made his millions (billions?) working not inheriting them. And Jonathan, you forgot to mention Howard Hughes, the strangest millionaire of them all.