Politicians lack principles.

People always complain about politicians and how they seem out of touch with the rest of America, hypercritical, and easily swayed by what they feel at the moment. Well people are correct to assume most politicians are spineless; that is undoubtedly a fact. But what is the problem with modern politicians? What is it about these good for nothing presidents, congressmen and senators that puts them below 25% in approval ratings?

I believe the problem we have in the modern political sphere is that most politicians lack a set core of values and principles which they rely upon when making decisions. Can anyone really tell me what the core principles which make up Obama’s political philosophy are? How about MaCain’s? What are their core political philosophies? What do they believe?

And that is the problem with modern American politics. Its not simply the special interest groups and lobbyist, its not just the system of two parties which mirror each other in almost every fundamental way, its not about politicians being bad people who care only about themselves (on the contrary I think most politicians really do care a lot about this country, even if I think their plans are wrong), the problem is that most politicians lack those core principles from which to build the rest of their political philosophy. They sway like grass in a breeze, voting one way this day and the other the next based on what is popular and many times their own personal feelings. Without a core sense of beliefs how can one be consistent?

Politicians need to answer some core questions before entering Washington and back up their words with actions, refusing to back down from their principles. What is the role of the federal government, how is the constitution to be treated, fundamental questions such as these. But answers to these questions aren’t enough, politicians must also provide rational behind their answers and explain why and how they came to those conclusions. I’m not looking for feelings or intuition, I want real answers.

We in America have gotten so used to voting for a person or a party that we’ve lost almost all our power. What difference is there between a Republican and a Democrat these days? They’re really just the flip side of the same coin. Bigger government, more war, more regulation. It won’t change no matter who wins. So here’s a crazy idea, how about instead of voting for a man, or a party, we vote for a set doctrine of principles. There are several reasons I like Ron Paul, but the one thing I admire about him the most is not his personal opinions on certain issues but his willingness to stick to his principles no matter what even if it means being the only dissenting vote in Congress. Even if you don’t agree with his ideas and policies, you must admire a man who in this day and age is willing to stick to his beliefs and is more then able to defend them with sound reasoning and logic as opposed to crafty one liners and slogans. I’d respect such a man even if he were a hard core socialist. Such a politician, who votes his principles, not his feelings, can be relied upon to do what we put him in office to do; this kind of politician will not compromise his beliefs for the sake of public opinion; this politician cannot be bought by special interest groups. This is the kind of President we need, one who has and stands by principles.