There is no polite way to put this: I have stopped caring about the “intentions” of politicians. Divining what compels a public servant might be one of the most inefficient uses of time.
I understand the motivation, of course, but it usually fails in implementation. Results are all that should matter.
I like to think that each of us, as citizens, is serving on the hiring committee for the effort to save the republic. That is to say, we should cast votes not because of a personal affection (or disdain) for the individuals seeking office, but rather their ability to get the job done. We are hiring someone for a job, not to be our BFF.
Now, I get that the politicians want us to think of them as our pals and buddies, but they are not. They like the false sense of familiarity; it moves all discussions of votes cast and impacts achieved from professional assessment to one of mushy emotionalism. “You are attacking me! I thought we were friends!”
On rare occasion, in the Venn diagram of life, an actual “friend” might also be someone who “holds public office.” Though rather than excusing bad behavior, that thin sliver of overlay should be a cause for even greater discipline in professionally assessing their performance.
The politicians want us focused on their intentions, not their deliverables. Intentions, motivations, and character matter when hiring them the first time; after that, we need results.
They signed up to do a job and made representations about their skills and ability to complete the tasks set before them. They must perform to expectations, or they must leave—voluntarily or at the ballot box. As members of that fictitious committee, it is up to us as voters to make that happen.
I do not care if a good thing was done for a politician’s self-serving ambition, or that a bad thing resulted from a politician’s best motivations. I routinely hear the complaint that so-and-so is voting for legislation “only” because an election is looming. And the problem is …?
Assume that is true for so-and-so, but if the policy is implemented and life improves … does it matter? More often, in my experience, is the opposite problem: an officeholder and their apologists will plead that he intends to do a good thing, eventually… but has to get re-elected first.
I’d rather have good policy implemented by someone I dislike than see pro-citizen objectives left undone by people who claim to be our friends!
Knowing what motivated a politician to not accomplish such objectives might be intellectually useful, but only in the way an autopsy helps future patients. A politician’s intentions are a poor substitute for results.
While it might be nice to know, to truly know, that every politician is acting from the purest of motivations, such a dream defies reality in a fallen world. I’d like to think everyone at my favorite fast-food restaurant has a healthy relationship with their families and engages entirely in wholesome pursuits off the clock. In reality, I just need my order prepared correctly so I can get on with my day.
I feel the same about politicians. When voters place their order for policy results, that order should be delivered. When it isn’t, it doesn’t matter “why” so much as it matters that new servants are found who will do the job.
It should never be personal. We have happiness to pursue and a republic to save. The results are what matter.
