Would you ever run for political office?

Then become a speech writer, but of course nobody ever knows who writes the great speeches, unless the politicians start saying instead of, "I approved this message." and started saying, "I wrote this commerical and I believe what I say." I was told a saying once, it was, "Participate, but be candid." Maybe you could communicate through writing for an elected official that you belived in and stood behind?

As a matter of fact, I'm a member of a new party. Although we'll be fighting our first election soon, I expect it will be a few years before we start getting people into public office. I do a bit of blogging in support of "the cause" and I expect I'll get involved in writing leaflets etc before long. I did make a small contribution to the manifesto.

Not sure if I would run for office in the USA. You have to spend a couple of million to get a job that only pays a couple of hundred thousand a year. You have to deal with a vast number of people, all who think they own exclusive rights to you and then as well as having a domestic agenda, there are foreign policy issues. ALthough President of the USA has been called "Most Powerful Man in the World," he's actually quite constrained by Congress, the Supreeme Court, Donnors to his campaign and let's not forget the Press. On the other hand most sensible people would advise every loved one to run for politics in Singapore. Seriously, there is not much by way of elections, particularly if you run for the same rulling party that has been here since Independence in 1965. The country is small and superbly efficient and most importantly, there is a sky high salary with very little to do for it. Let's put it this way, our Prime Minister earns at least four times more than the US president for a city that is not even a suburb of LA or New York. Oh and before I finish off, you have legalised thugs to take care of people who annoy you. Now, who wouldn't want that type of job?

That's the difference between the governing bodies in singapore and the USA.. AS singapore is small, we talk about unity and thus we try to co-operate well and speed things fast.. But i do really admire our MM, Mr lee for wat he has done for singapore ^_^

I understand your hesitation, thanks for replying.

It is a dog kill cat world, and most of them running are power mad people. You would live under a lot of scrutiny, but you could bring out the best in people, despite what they want disagree with, I've yet to see a politician do that since Ronald Reagan.

Just thought I'd add, I know how insane the current system is. I'd prefer to run as an Independant as well, though the current system doesn't really favor them. I know that alot of odds are stacked against me, in that, I don't come from a rich family, or a family with influence...we're farm people, lol. THAT and I'm also from a few minorities...AT LEAST one of which could be used to work against me lol. But the obstacles don't represent the path itself, right? Anything in the world is possible, and you'll never know what could happen if you don't try. Which is why I'm still thinking about it -- AND glad I've some years yet lol. Despite what many people currently in various offices across the country think, I've always considered the role of a politician as one of a servant. It's a very tempting idea, to think I might be able to climb my way up the ladder to see people who either work thanklessly or individually to do things that matter, as the people actually want them to...and those who don't lol. It's not power that's appealing, it's more that it'd give me a chance to really try to do things that matter, to help improve this country I've grown up loving, and the quality of life of all the people who've been having a hard time over the last decade or so. As an activist, you can imagine why it's appealing to me lol. Though I imagine all the other people in this thread are right, it'd probably be very stressful, and dealing with people...especially all the jerks in the media AND washington is pretty daunting. But again...the obstacles and hardships don't represent the path, right?

You're very insightful for a teenager, but youth is sometimes the small voice that sees reason over right. Politics has almost become a joke and a leper wouldn't even touch it. The corrupt shouldn't be given a pass because its located a thousand miles away, it hits home with families who struggle and see wrong being rewarded. It sends a terrible message to those who see that power is worth obtaining just to step on someone who doesn't have it anyway. Washington is not the U.S.A. Spend a few years in public service and volunteering and you'll be in touch with the people who need an advocate. You can inspire greatness in those who believe in themselves, people need somebody to look up to that makes them great, not somebody who looks down on them just to make themselves feel powerful.

True, I am just not quite sure how to go about getting started, and also I would probably have to go as independent - some things I agree more with republicans, some more democratic so choosing a party is tricky too...any suggestions?

The problem with a third party is that it can't hold on to many voters, it may have more weight in the coming years but the Dems and GOP rule the party sides right now. Get started in local office, something small but meaningful, like if you live in a housing addition, run for secretary or president. Then move towards local issues, such as roads or education, if you have kids in public school. Understand the difference between public servant and public service, two different things. Ask people around you what they would like to see changed, for the better, not just for special interest. Note that you need to choose a party affiliation, you don't have to get into the trenches with the other politicians but be upfront about who you are, "Hi I'm (mehale) and I want to make positive changes to our way of government, would you agree with that." Then get out your notepad and start the shorthand.

You still seem to be thinking about it, what we need is lawyers to uphold the law, not the current ones in office who manipulate it to their own advantage. So, an average person is what we need to connect with, I don't have anything in common with my reps either. Stress is part of life, I'm not saying it would be a cake walk and it would be stressful but think of the rewards outweighing the whole thing.

Good idea. I've thought about how You Tube could promote a candidate, it would have to be announced and publicized and everybody would need to get behind it. myLot Party huh? I like that, we could tweak it, not to say that it wouldn't sell, I'd like it better than the Blogger Party. I know that there a good people in the House and Senate and its guilt by association right now. I was told to find the needle in the haystack you have to burn the haystack. That would be the only way to find out the good ones.

It does cost a lot to run for office, no doubt about that, and fund raising means money, and money means greed and corruption. But, if you got a group together that changed the perception of fund raising it would go a long way to show credibility don't you think? I think the fundamentals of politics has gone too far from the base.

Okay, I hope you're at least registered to vote.

Wear flats then. You should voice your ideas, some of the best ideas were never heard because a small voice must shout in order to be noticed.

Those are good combos to get things done, or have somebody else do them, but maybe not in politics though, you're probably right.

Yea meetings are boring but its the only way to get everyone together to find out what's going on sometimes. A leader is not someone who leads but creates other leaders. One person alone cannot do it, it takes like minded people and alignment with all ideas, and those who can execute those ideas to better a community, that's what makes a leader.

I understand, its not for everyone but don't tune out yet. Something might be said that sparks you to take action.

even i never bother for that.its stupid time waste and nothing else.

I think that any change would be helpful now.

I like your passion! Is that your opening speech? The problem with the people is that they can't connect with their reps, they don't feel they listen so they stop talking and that's not good dialog. The status quo has a low standard and it doesn't seem to matter to people anymore. Fairness and justice are supposed to be conjoined twins because one should always follow the other, the problem is the word has gotten too far from the definition.

It does take a lot of dicipline, I think most people have it but something takes over we fall prey to our selfish desires when it comes to money. But if you could keep strong in that temptation it would go so much further for those running for office.

Welcome to myLot. I guess you have an insight most of us would want. Thanks for voicing.