What is it like to be a politician?
I really like talking to people. My mom has told me that I should come a politician. But, I don't know what politicians do. Do politicians get to talk a lot? What is it like to be a politician?
I now realize this is perhaps too general of a question, so perhaps what I want to ask is 1) In the United States, what are different types of politicians? 2) What do these different politicians do on a day to day basis and is this a good fit for someone who like to talk?
5 answers
J’s Answer
There are many many different types of politicians, from your a school board member on your local council to a senator in the US Congress at national level, and what they do day to day basis is very different. Also, by politician, I assume you mean an elected official. In that sense, talking, or perhaps being a good speaker and communicator is quite important. To get elected, candidate need to be able to motivate and inspire voters and their staff. But if elected, being able to manage a team and create compromise are also very important.
Perhaps, you would get more helpful answers if you specified the type of politician you're interested in becoming?
CareerVillage’s Answer
I'll try answer Part (1) of your question: what are different types of politicians. I can't answer Part (2) because I don't have experience in these different positions.
Township/county government: there is an elected board, council, or commission (they go by different names). The people on this council are elected, and they are responsible for things like supervising elections, building/maintaining road, and administering social security programs.
City government: there are different types of city governments in the US. One type is a mayor council where a mayor is elected (he's kind of like the president of a city), and there's an elected council (kind of like congress). The mayor appoints heads of city departments, and the council passes city rules (ordinances), determines the level of property tax, etc.
State government: at the state level, there is an elected governor, and an elected legislature, usually including a state senate and a state house of representatives. So, at the state level, a politician can be the governor, a state senator, or a state representative
Federal (national) government: you're probably most aware of this, but at the national level there is an elected president, elected members of the U.S. Senate (senators), and elected members of the U.S. House of Representatives (representatives).
But, one thing to keep in mind is that there are many many other jobs in government (at all levels) that are not elected. But since you asked about politicians, I am assuming you mean elected officials.
Sharool’s Answer
In most respects a statesman is the opposite of a politician. ... Politicians are thought of as people who will say or do anything to get elected or to gain power. A statesman is someone who does everything for the common good of the people he or she represents.
Fuzzy’s Answer
Citizens always see politicians as greedy egomaniacs, but for most part, we are the ones who listen to a common citizen's everyday problems. And in dealing with them, everybody expect us to find a sound solution that will be beneficial for everyone who is involved and in reality, it is just not hard to please everybody, it is impossible.
This feeling of failure and rejection from the people you serve after you've done everything you can is the hardest part of being a politician.
*this is my experience in running for public office in the india. I really can't tell if this also goes with other countries.
Sikawayi’s Answer
The 2nd kind of politicians are the ones who will sell there people out to the highest bidder. There are some politicians who tell make the people believe they're doing everything for them and it's the other people fault nothing is getting done in their community. I understanding some people get into politics to help others the only money they make is there salary of maybe 100,000 a year and their others make 100,000 a year plus kickbacks and doing favors for others but when then do decide to leave politics their millionaire. best of luck
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