"The longer I live the the more I am convinced that MOST politians no longer have a mind of their own once they enter politics, (1) they vote as they are told, (2) they will say what they think the voter wants to hear, not necessarily what their own convictions are."

You forgot number 3........and then they do nothing about anything. :) I know... highly unfair...but what other career do you know of where you make outrageous incomes, pension plans and don't have to work for most of the year. I know it's hard taking the flack...but most of them have elephant skin anyway and are quite happy lapping up the perks. It's a machine that knows how to keep itself running and won't allow any dogooders to come in and spoil the spoils. The people that should be running the country are too busy getting serious things done, not to mention that no one will ask them, and the people that shouldn't be doing it are seemingly the only ones lining up for it... you know, the ones with overinflated egos, power trippers, people who like to control other people....instead of serving them. Their kids go to the good schools, they don't know what hungry is or experience bad medical care. For someone to affectively fight for something, he/she should really know what it's like to wear the shoes of those who live the battle. When things are too good in a particular place, all manner of "interesting characters" want a piece of the action....and that's gov't.

The aforementioned contains harsh generalizations and predjudicial views designed for entertainment value. Any truth contained therein is purely coincidental. :)