In a moral world, what is the duty of a politician?

[darkewaffle]

Should a politician act on what [he thinks] is right? Or should a politician act on what his constituency thinks is right?

Put another way, why do you vote for a politician?

Do you vote for a person who will do what [he thinks] is right? Or do you vote for one that will most loyally/accurately represent your own views?

Of course it can't be this simple, hence the moral world, as there's just such intense interference and ulterior motivation possible. Personally, I want to say I choose the person who will do what they think is right. But that's just so dangerous, haha. I don't know whether I'd rather trust the masses or take the chance of creating a rogue. Probably the rogue.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Here is a good example of an email I received from California Chamber of Commerce regarding their position against Prop 19. Notice how he explicitly says they aren't making their decision based on morals.

Jason,

I understand your position however, the Chamber's position, like all positions on ballot propositions that they take, are decided through our Governmental Affairs Council and then approved by the Board of Directors. In this case both sides of the argument were presented to the GRC and the council decided not to support the proposition based on their interpretation and the possible ramifications thereof.

Essentially, they feel that the wording in the proposition that prohibits "discrimination" against employees who use marijuana could be broadly used to protect employees who abuse marijuana at work. They feel that it would be nearly impossible to prove that an employee was using the drug at work because it stays in the body for so long. For example, urine testing would be ineffective at proving if someone smoked a joint on their 15 minute break, or last weekend.

More importantly, many employers receive Federal grant money contingent on certifying that they are "drug free" workplaces. This proposition could theoretically put an employer in the position of losing their Federal grant, or being sued by an employee for discrimination.

The Chamber's position is based on the fact that they exist to promote the interests of business. The GRC members and Board repeatedly stated during their debate that they did not wish to make a moral judgement about marijuana use.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

-Spencer

 

[MotF Bane]

I want the politician who most accurately follows the ideas of the Constitution. Morals are subjective, so I do not want them to be the guide.

 

[BoomerD]

So what...this thread wasn't specific enough for you? You needed to impose your fictional "moral world" as well?

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2099830

 

[IGBT]

to serve one or two terms then go away.