One thing that never made sense to me.
If that's the case, you should really read more books.. more autobiographies, more non-fiction in general.
Why would any sane person spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to run for an elected position that pays only let’s say $150k or less? A good example is a local Sheriff’s race. Here it pays $60 -70k. Who would 10x over spend for that position and why?
Generally, most of the time, its because they're not spending their own money, they spend the money from campaign donations.
Less often, its an altruistic thing.. when someone worth billions doesn't mind blowing 500 million to do something they believe "is the right thing to do".
And although I don't believe it has actually ever happened yet, it is possible that a super rich person would be willing to spend a small portion of their money to try to take over the country...
How is it possible to earn $200k in Congress and become a multi millionaire when you leave? It just isn’t possible without corruption.
It makes absolute sense.. in fact, its a natural progression. If it didn't happen, then the person did something really stupid.
Money is made through two channels.. 1) You invent something people want. (google, facebook, Rubric's Cube, microwave oven, personal computer, etc) 2) You sell something people want. This requires a network, and usually a large and specific type of network. Being elected is a great way to dial up your networking goals to 11. Nothing immoral or criminal about it.
Are there elected officials who are corrupt? Sure, but our FBI goes after them with extreme prejudice, and we see examples of it in the news every few months.
Let me give you an example you'll understand that comes from my level of experience. I ran an automotive company for two decades.. I was the vice president of a small manufacturing business with about 200 employees. By the time I left the company, I knew a couple hundred plant managers of other industrial manufacturing plants in the local area, and a couple hundred sales managers from various suppliers of chemicals, steel, and other industrial supplies. Even the guy's at the local Grainger's know who I am.. You go to Grainger's and purchase a motor starter for $275, I'd probably pay about half that.. just for using my name.
When my hobby accidentally turned into a business several years later, I was able to call these people up and purchase supplies at industrial level discounts that no regular person could touch. I was able to obtain chemicals that regular consumers would have big problems getting their hands on.. and I was able to do these things because these people knew who I was.
That is how networking works.... The only problem with it is that if you don't maintain it, the network tends to evaporate as people retire or move on to other career opportunities. Sometimes you can rekindle it with a "Doesn't Bob still manage this department, we did business together for over a decade".. Oh, you knew Bob? and on it goes.
When your network includes bartenders, waitresses and school teachers, there's only so much you have access to.. when it involves leaders of industry, its an entirely different thing and you'd be a fool not to leverage it after leaving your elected position.
Its not corruption.. that's not to say corruption doesn't exist, but the corruption level you're implying doesn't exist... not in the USA.. We wouldn't be the USA if it did.
