Anders Chelgren, chapter 8, Question # 3

Chapter eight was quite interesting. While the concepts Wheelan discusses were thought provoking, they were not previously unbeknown to me. Specifically the dangerous role the government plays in politics worries me for the future. This has happened, and will continue to happen; politicians are more focused on getting elected than make a difference. People in power seek to be made more powerful, and in a democracy that mean more liked. Politicians appealing to specific groups for support is not wrong, however, when they must disregard their own beliefs and/or what's best for the nation, there is a serious problem. If we continue to have a system in which a candidate must so heavily compromise on his or her beliefs as well as conform to the wishes of a small minority than we are truly stuck in a hopeless system. Politicians should be held accountable for their promises and should be forced to act on a level playing ground. For example it is not productive and confusing if politicians are anti earmarks accept when it's popular like with the hospital example.