Politicians Achieving Goals by Ignoring the Public's Needs

Politicians often achieve their goals by ignoring the needs of their constituents. Describe a specific situation in which a politician might achieve a political goal without ignoring the needs of the constituents. Discuss what you think determines whether or not politicians can achieve political goals by ignoring the needs of constituents. Staying in power as a politician involves playing a game of strategy. He has to appeal to constituents by addressing (or appearing to address) their needs and at the same time, gain the support of powerful entities that help fund his campaigns. Indeed, money talks and politicians will ultimately answer to those who financially support his goals to maintain power. In the process, the politician is unable to effectively address the needs of his constituents. Running for office in the United States and in most nations requires gaining a lot of financial support. To get elected, one must be able to afford the propaganda, whether they be television ads, internet websites, and newspaper editorials, to muster the majority of votes. While some politicians on a local or smaller level may successfully get into office using their own financial resources, most need to launch a major campaign initiative. This often involves attracting support of moneyed entities, such as mega-corporations and extremely wealthy individuals. These donors, of course, expect to curry favor with the politician in some manner. Politicians are, indeed, beholden to the wishes of their donors while publicly proclaiming to serve the public good. In the past few years, we witnessed Wall Street banks and mega unions-auto industries being bailed out by the government although they have taken business risks adverse to the public interest. These powerful entities enjoy lax rules and regulations that allow them to act in a feckless manner knowing that the politicians they have put into office will answer to them. In the process, the politician´s constituents---made up of Regular Joes---suffer in the process through unemployment, unfavorable interest rates, etc. At times, a politician might achieve his political goal of maintain power without ignoring the needs of the constituents. For example, when a national or high profile disaster strikes a region, the politician cannot simply ignore the crisis. He has no choice but to make decisions that help rescue victims and get them back on their feet. This can be done by, for instance, supporting pro-FEMA legislation, etc. By addressing the needs of the people in a national crisis, the politician gains popularity and has a greater chance of staying in office come election time. Granted, some of the laws in the United States are designed to keep politicians from being "too beholden" to moneyed entities and individuals. For example, a whole range of campaign finance laws exist to limit the amount of funding that these entities and individuals can donate to politicians. However, these politicians and lawyers often find ways to circumvent the laws and get themselves into a situation where they still answer to the needs of their donors. Indeed, money and special interests will most likely continue to play growing role in politicians' decisions and the workings of the government as a whole.