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General Category => Off the Record => Topic started by: Martinus on April 11, 2013, 02:34:53 AM

Poll
Question: How would you describe your involvement with mainstream politics?
Option 1: Politics is my job (politician, political journalist, etc.) votes: 3
Option 2: I'm actively involved in politics but it is not my job (e.g. political activist) votes: 3
Option 3: I'm not involved, but I take great interest in politics, even if it does not directly affect me (e.g. politics of other countries) votes: 22
Option 4: I take a moderate interest in politics, but mainly when it affects me directly votes: 7
Option 5: I am not really interested in politics, and pay attention only when I am directly affected votes: 3
Option 6: I actively avoid any mainstream politics, e.g. for ideological reasons votes: 1
Title: How would you describe your involvement with contemporary politics?
Post by: Martinus on April 11, 2013, 02:34:53 AM
I'm guessing a disproportionate number of Languishites will choose option no. 3.
Title: Re: How would you describe your involvement with contemporary politics?
Post by: Phillip V on April 11, 2013, 02:49:32 AM
I may eventually choose option 1 in order to increase my wealth.
Title: Re: How would you describe your involvement with contemporary politics?
Post by: Razgovory on April 11, 2013, 02:52:32 AM
Quote from: Phillip V on April 11, 2013, 02:49:32 AM
I may eventually choose option 1 in order to increase my wealth.

Choosing option 1 rarely increases wealth.
Title: Re: How would you describe your involvement with contemporary politics?
Post by: Phillip V on April 11, 2013, 03:09:44 AM
Quote from: Razgovory on April 11, 2013, 02:52:32 AM
Quote from: Phillip V on April 11, 2013, 02:49:32 AM
I may eventually choose option 1 in order to increase my wealth.

Choosing option 1 rarely increases wealth.
Politician?
Title: Re: How would you describe your involvement with contemporary politics?
Post by: Martinus on April 11, 2013, 03:31:42 AM
Quote from: Phillip V on April 11, 2013, 03:09:44 AM
Quote from: Razgovory on April 11, 2013, 02:52:32 AM
Quote from: Phillip V on April 11, 2013, 02:49:32 AM
I may eventually choose option 1 in order to increase my wealth.

Choosing option 1 rarely increases wealth.
Politician?

Outside of corruption, I don't think politics is a money-making job. It's rather the kind of job you take when you already got money in other jobs (such as legal services, business, private equity etc.) and want prestige/power to match that.
Title: Re: How would you describe your involvement with contemporary politics?
Post by: Syt on April 11, 2013, 03:58:41 AM
Used to be 3, now 5.
Title: Re: How would you describe your involvement with contemporary politics?
Post by: Phillip V on April 11, 2013, 05:15:42 AM
Quote from: Martinus on April 11, 2013, 03:31:42 AM
Quote from: Phillip V on April 11, 2013, 03:09:44 AM
Quote from: Razgovory on April 11, 2013, 02:52:32 AM
Quote from: Phillip V on April 11, 2013, 02:49:32 AM
I may eventually choose option 1 in order to increase my wealth.

Choosing option 1 rarely increases wealth.
Politician?

Outside of corruption, I don't think politics is a money-making job. It's rather the kind of job you take when you already got money in other jobs (such as legal services, business, private equity etc.) and want prestige/power to match that.
You are describing what many rich people choose to do. That does not preclude political office being a money-making opportunity. Many political positions pay $100k+, even at the local level, not to mention generous healthcare, pension, etc.

Further, lucrative jobs await upon leaving politics.
Title: Re: How would you describe your involvement with contemporary politics?
Post by: Grey Fox on April 11, 2013, 06:37:42 AM
#3 for 400, Alec.
Title: Re: How would you describe your involvement with contemporary politics?
Post by: Brazen on April 11, 2013, 07:03:39 AM
Slightly more interested than I'd otherwise be as I occasionally have to write about it.
Title: Re: How would you describe your involvement with contemporary politics?
Post by: CountDeMoney on April 11, 2013, 07:56:17 AM
Quote from: Phillip V on April 11, 2013, 02:49:32 AM
I may eventually choose option 1 in order to increase my wealth.

Convert to Judaism instead.  Better tax bracket, less stuff to do on Fridays.
Title: Re: How would you describe your involvement with contemporary politics?
Post by: Ed Anger on April 11, 2013, 07:59:22 AM
I've mostly stopped caring.
Title: Re: How would you describe your involvement with contemporary politics?
Post by: Phillip V on April 11, 2013, 08:02:46 AM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on April 11, 2013, 07:56:17 AM
Quote from: Phillip V on April 11, 2013, 02:49:32 AM
I may eventually choose option 1 in order to increase my wealth.

Convert to Judaism instead.  Better tax bracket, less stuff to do on Fridays.
I would consider marrying into a wealthy Jewish family.
Title: Re: How would you describe your involvement with contemporary politics?
Post by: Valmy on April 11, 2013, 08:05:12 AM
None of those catagories really fit me but since I do care a bit about international stuff I went ahead and picked #3
Title: Re: How would you describe your involvement with contemporary politics?
Post by: Caliga on April 11, 2013, 08:33:42 AM
moderate interest.
Title: Re: How would you describe your involvement with contemporary politics?
Post by: Scipio on April 11, 2013, 08:37:04 AM
I'm an appointed prosecutor in a small town in Mississippi.  Politics is my life.
Title: Re: How would you describe your involvement with contemporary politics?
Post by: Liep on April 11, 2013, 08:39:44 AM
Quote from: Syt on April 11, 2013, 03:58:41 AM
Used to be 3, now 5.

I'm leaning towards this option, but still 3 for now.
Title: Re: How would you describe your involvement with contemporary politics?
Post by: Barrister on April 11, 2013, 09:17:13 AM
Quote from: Scipio on April 11, 2013, 08:37:04 AM
I'm an appointed prosecutor in a small town in Mississippi.  Politics is my life.

:huh:

I would hardly describe my life as being politics due to my job.  Perhaps things are different in MS.
Title: Re: How would you describe your involvement with contemporary politics?
Post by: Zanza on April 11, 2013, 09:18:48 AM
I don't care as much as I used to. So #4 I guess.
Title: Re: How would you describe your involvement with contemporary politics?
Post by: The Brain on April 11, 2013, 10:21:51 AM
I'm moderately interesting.
Title: Re: How would you describe your involvement with contemporary politics?
Post by: Strix on April 11, 2013, 11:56:58 AM
I am not really interested in politics, and pay attention only when I am directly affected or I can annoy someone else.
Title: Re: How would you describe your involvement with contemporary politics?
Post by: Phillip V on April 30, 2013, 07:36:16 AM
Quote from: Phillip V on April 11, 2013, 05:15:42 AM
Quote from: Martinus on April 11, 2013, 03:31:42 AM
Quote from: Phillip V on April 11, 2013, 03:09:44 AM
Quote from: Razgovory on April 11, 2013, 02:52:32 AM
Quote from: Phillip V on April 11, 2013, 02:49:32 AM
I may eventually choose option 1 in order to increase my wealth.

Choosing option 1 rarely increases wealth.
Politician?

Outside of corruption, I don't think politics is a money-making job. It's rather the kind of job you take when you already got money in other jobs (such as legal services, business, private equity etc.) and want prestige/power to match that.
You are describing what many rich people choose to do. That does not preclude political office being a money-making opportunity. Many political positions pay $100k+, even at the local level, not to mention generous healthcare, pension, etc.

Further, lucrative jobs await upon leaving politics.

The income of disgraced former U.S. Congressman Anthony Weiner zoomed to almost $500,000 in 2012 by becoming a political consultant to businesses. He is now exploring a run for NYC mayor.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/30/nyregion/jobless-after-scandal-weiner-triumphs-in-corporate-world.html

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgraphics8.nytimes.com%2Fimages%2F2013%2F04%2F30%2Fnyregion%2FjpWEINER%2FjpWEINER-articleInline.jpg&hash=d50c4b99035267a99995b3e1821f539e2e49ab46)
Title: Re: How would you describe your involvement with contemporary politics?
Post by: garbon on April 30, 2013, 07:39:00 AM
Other than for attention, I don't know why he'd want to run for mayor other than for attention. Ever insightful huffpo though thinks he has a real shot.
Title: Re: How would you describe your involvement with contemporary politics?
Post by: CountDeMoney on April 30, 2013, 07:43:15 AM
Quote from: Scipio on April 11, 2013, 08:37:04 AM
I'm an appointed prosecutor in a small town in Mississippi.  Politics is my life.

Just make sure you're appointed on the right side of the aisle.  I was a political appointee for a Republican in the state of Maryland, and my resume's been paying for it ever since.
Title: Re: How would you describe your involvement with contemporary politics?
Post by: KRonn on April 30, 2013, 07:56:09 AM
I picked number 3. That's the most accurate even though I'm not as active about political issues.
Title: Re: How would you describe your involvement with contemporary politics?
Post by: Warspite on April 30, 2013, 08:26:51 AM
Needed an option for "policy, not politics, is my job" as the two are closely linked but distinct.
Title: Re: How would you describe your involvement with contemporary politics?
Post by: garbon on April 30, 2013, 08:29:08 AM
Quote from: Warspite on April 30, 2013, 08:26:51 AM
Needed an option for "policy, not politics, is my job" as the two are closely linked but distinct.

I think you just needed an other. That option is a bit too personalized. :P
Title: Re: How would you describe your involvement with contemporary politics?
Post by: Warspite on April 30, 2013, 08:31:55 AM
Quote from: garbon on April 30, 2013, 08:29:08 AM
Quote from: Warspite on April 30, 2013, 08:26:51 AM
Needed an option for "policy, not politics, is my job" as the two are closely linked but distinct.

I think you just needed an other. That option is a bit too personalized. :P

How would you classify, then, civil servants working for central ministries or departments?
Title: Re: How would you describe your involvement with contemporary politics?
Post by: Eddie Teach on April 30, 2013, 08:36:03 AM
I am not involved.
Title: Re: How would you describe your involvement with contemporary politics?
Post by: garbon on April 30, 2013, 08:41:20 AM
Quote from: Warspite on April 30, 2013, 08:31:55 AM
Quote from: garbon on April 30, 2013, 08:29:08 AM
Quote from: Warspite on April 30, 2013, 08:26:51 AM
Needed an option for "policy, not politics, is my job" as the two are closely linked but distinct.

I think you just needed an other. That option is a bit too personalized. :P

How would you classify, then, civil servants working for central ministries or departments?

How many of those do we have?
Title: Re: How would you describe your involvement with contemporary politics?
Post by: DGuller on April 30, 2013, 09:10:45 AM
Quote from: Barrister on April 11, 2013, 09:17:13 AM
Quote from: Scipio on April 11, 2013, 08:37:04 AM
I'm an appointed prosecutor in a small town in Mississippi.  Politics is my life.

:huh:

I would hardly describe my life as being politics due to my job.  Perhaps things are different in MS.
You're forgetting that Scipio ran for office once.  Don't worry, the voters forgot as well.