Why People Don’t Run for Office

There are high risks in running for public office or serving in any capacity in the government at every level. It’s like trying to have a picnic in a battlefield.

Lawsuits have been weaponized to dissuade most people from even considering to serve in government. Slander in opposition campaign ads is common, so candidates for office need to answer every accusation. Campaigns cost too much and candidates are required to raise money from special interest groups who have strings attached to this money. 

Cliques develop around industry interests tied to political regions.  Those candidates who are recommended by these cliques will receive the clique’s support. Cliques will attack all opponents of their anointed candidates. It’ worse than a public high school.

Real issues are avoided by most candidates and those who bring up real issues are rarely elected.  The Cliques don’t like to have campaigns based on issues; they prefer the politics of personal destruction.

What’s left are people who probably should not be trusted to work in government. 

I have never had the desire to run for elective office. I’ve been asked to run for City Council, but all they do is cut ribbons and rubber-stamp the budget.  The City Manager runs the city.  I’ve been asked to run for the State Legislature, but the Cliques have this sewed up and I don’t agree with most of what they do.  I’ve been asked to run for the US Congress, but I disagree with just about everything they do. I consider most of their activities as unconstitutional and in violation of the 10^th Amendment.

I believe the Federal government should limit its activities to those “enumerated powers” described in the US Constitution (as originally written).

I believe State and Local government should stick to their limited responsibilities like building and maintaining roads, highways, reservoirs, water distribution, sanitation, sewer treatment, sewer systems, bridges, ports and harbors.

Government has ruined healthcare and education and need to get out of these industries completely. Government has no business doing anything the private sector can do better and cheaper.

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader