What advice would you give to a young person who wants to go into politics?

Question

Losalt · Accepted Answer

Depends on your country and it's political system.

But in general learn not to take attacks on you personal, they're trying to defeat you to achieve their own goals, their own ideas about what makes the world better.
And the ends justifies the means in their view.
Doesn't mean that you should respond in kind.
But learn the usual bullying techniques and find counters.
Learn to look and dress well for the right approach.
It's not fair, but your looks is going to be judged, more so then that of your male colleagues or civilian women.
Be pragmatic.
You're not going to get everything you want.
Finding good compromises usually works in most political systems, but don't give up too much either or your political opponents will accuse you of selling out the values of the party or being weak etc.
It's a balancing act of getting voters and credibility vs actually getting things done.

You're young, use social media to your advantage.
You can mobilize voters that way in ways that your older colleagues don't understand and can't truly compete with.
But learn from the old guard too.
There's going to be traps out there, and you'll be going into some of them, with their help it might be easier to avoid.

In any case where you're making decisions about specific companies or areas etc or spending your own money or making choices about how to be taxed etc take extra care and don't assume that you're doing the right thing.
Double check.
If you have done *anything* that may reflect badly on you, especially if that action has hurt others find an expert to help you formulate how to handle it without harming the party, and be honest with the party about it before tasking on any official posts where you reflect them etc.

At least that's my two cents...

ohshee · Accepted Answer

I would say Be Yourself 100% at all times do not become one of the Good Ol Boys are one of the good old girls do not sell out the American people to get what you want witches money because the moment you got elected your campaign starts for the next you're making money to get reelected to get re-elected you have to have these big businesses give you big donations blah blah blah blah blah blah don't sell us out

Right now there's over five hundred and seventy Sumthin elected officials in the United States not one of them will stand up and dare to be great they're all a bunch of sheep stand up and be great just be honest. Self be real always be that one person that stands up and becomes great

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Mark Twain said there are two things in life that you should never witness.

1. Sausage being made.
2. Laws being made.

Ask Trey gowdy what he thinks about this. He would tell you to stay out of the swamp because you won't like the creatures you find there.

glowingrachel · Accepted Answer

Learn about your community and the people in it, listen to other perspectives and don't be close minded like a lot of politicians nowadays. You'll probably have to learn how to bullshit a lot because a lot of politicians just don't deliver on some promises.

nightdrot · Answer

Two bits of advice, derived from my over 30 years of experience in American politics at the Federal level. First, study history. Second, seek precision in language. These two are essential.

For my part, I began working in politics in the late 1980s, and really even before that. So I once was a young person working in politics and am now a person who has had the chance to observe young people going into politics.

As far as studying history, it is the sine qua non of a career in politics. Knowing not just the sequence of events, but their significance, how people of different backgrounds tend to interpret the importance of those events, and most of all, knowing the history and pedigree of the ideas that are being espoused in politics.

This affords the participant in politics a dispassionate grasp of the issues he or she is facing. It informs the participant both a deeper understanding of his/her own views, their strengths and weaknesses and how others perceive you and those ideas, but also some sense of where others are coming from.

One of the most serious problems in contemporary politics is that people hold their ideas intensely, but few grasp the significance and implications of those ideas. This then leads both to a rampant - and incidentally self-indulgent - emotionalism and sense of self-righteousness, and also to a dialogue of the deaf. It is part of what has made contemporary politics so rancid.

Second of all, in this connection, seek insofar as is possible, precision of language. Always recall the adage - "It is not what you want to say. It is what you want the other person to hear."

We know - at least hopefully and generally - what we mean when we say it. The problem is that the audience is not in your head. Rather they have their own perception of what the words mean, this often, given the significance of political issues, clouded by a level of emotionalism.

The wise practitioner of politics therefore seeks to couch what he says in terms that will resonate not just with his own allies, but with the wider audience and, insofar as is possible, with one's political adversaries. They will hear the words, but always through the filter of their own biases. This cannot be fully avoided, but it can be mitigated through precision of language.

Finally, one additional point. Try to keep a sense of the fun in politics. Terminal solemnity is the occupational hazard of those who work in politics.

When then Senator Barry Goldwater was being pushed to run for the American presidency in 1963, he was said to have replied, "What the heck, it ain't for life and it might be fun." The things that make for a happy life - as the columnist George F. Will put it - "feisty friends, cheerful children and a strong bullpen" - are peripheral to politics.

By keeping politics in its' proper sphere, the young person who goes into politics will enjoy it more, keep some perspective on the significance of what he/she is doing, and will improve the tone of politics overall. Life and politics should never be played with clenched teeth.

CTHuskyMan · Answer

I don't know... try not to? LOL. Seriously, it's cool that you want to serve your community in this fashion.

Having dabbled in politics myself, the best advice I can give you is to pick your battles carefully. Not every issue is worth weighing in on, and not every fight is worth having. You need to know when it's time to stand up, and when it's better to be silent. As the saying goes, "better to be silent and thought a fool, than to speak and erase all doubt".

Also, have a thick skin, and watch who you form friendships and alliances with. My father used to say that "politics makes for strange bedfellows". That is, someone can be your biggest supporter one day, and the next turn around and stab you in the back (often for their own personal gain).

Politics is a contact sport. It's a jungle out there; be a lion! Good luck! :)

ShadezMcgee · Answer

I would say don't do it in general. Especially if you have strong morals. People go in with intent to change things and become corrupt. At the end of the day, you will be at the mercy and serving the interests of your backers and lobbyists, not the people you represent.

You need to be ruthless, cutthroat, manipulative, and able to put on a show of talking mad shit about your opposition and be able to take it in return.

Telekinetic-Potato · Answer

Become the most two faced, manipulative, selfish person you can be. It's not enough to just be very selfish, you need to think many steps ahead so that your selfishness looks like you're doing people favors.

Also, you need a dirty lawyer to help squash problems before they come up so in order to get a good one, you should probably try getting in bed with some oil companies or go electric for longevity.

Fatherhere901 · Answer

The best and only advice I can give someone who wants to become a politician:forget everything that you think you have an opinion on. The point of being a politician is representing your district or region. Your opinions, whether they are the same or different, should not matter nor have any place when you're listening to the people you're representing. If you bring your opinions, then you are no longer representing the people, you're only doing what you want.

glennos89 · Answer

Do what your heart tells you to do but don't expect you'll be able to change anything. Politicians are corrupt and the ones that are good, aren't given the opportunity to succeed and get power. Almost all country's have corrupt politicians that will make sure they will stay in power for as long as they can. It's sad to see but there is little hope anything will change about that. But never say never 🤷🏼‍♂️

Tjw78 · Answer

Make sure you make peace with your past and be honest about it. Anything that can be used against you will be used against you. Unless you are open and explain your faults first, they will be taken out of context and exaggerated. Tell your truth before they can make a lie out of it.

Andres77 · Answer

Alcohol and drug free.
No"partying".
No nude pics that can be hacked.
Extra open about your taxes.
Every essay you have to write for college is politically correct. You don't have to believe it, just get a good grade.
Don't date.
If you're already married don't ever look at a member of the opposite sex again.
Do a lot of charity work.
Exercise!
🤔

purplepoppy · Answer

Don't. You should have experienced life first before you start controlling other peoples.

TommyMountainFigure · Answer

Learn to lie well Admit nothing Any morals you have, lose quickly  Are you corrupt? No, well don't worry that will change soon enough There are several more

HawkPerception · Answer

It's not likely you'll change much. You'll be like a grain of sand on a beach. The system is corrupt and whatever your initial intentions are, they will be drowned out by the mass of corruption.

jshm2 · Answer

Don't. If you want to get into politics then you are not ready for politics.

Crepe_tart · Answer

Don't go for something only because it's easy. Fight for what you stand and think of the people first

Agape93 · Answer

Your personal info will not stay personal. Any affairs, weird Google searches, any lies at work etc. Will be known eventually

MCheetah · Answer

Unless you're insanely evil and/or selfish & greedy, don't even bother. You won't succeed otherwise.

Smoke-n-Growls · Answer

Reform does not work. Look to revolution instead. Disrupt industries, don't fall into the trap.

Cathy7734 · Answer

I would give them a quote by Napoleon Bonaparte. "In politics, stupidity isn't a handicap."

humanearth · Answer

Be willing to be a sell out and sell out the people you'll supposed to representing. You have to take bribes in order to live free while other die to slavery

Atom999 · Answer

I would say to make sure u have a spine before u enter the land of the sect of professional law breakers, criminals, slush fund artists, and weasels. Hail to the strong women of politics tho who stand for something n preach what they practice

Anonymous · Answer

Don’t. To make it, you’ll have to sell your soul and be a puppet to your big money donors.

AviatorTom · Answer

Don't... it's dog eats dog and, whether you realize it or not, you will be corrupt.

animeemo · Answer

that its complete crap, but do what you want and believe in what you want to believe in, no one can hold you back or tell you different

FreyaRed · Answer

Blackmailing is number one thing that you should train

Exterminatore · Answer

Don’t attempt to be an honest politician. If honesty were suddenly introduced to the system it would implode.

Jay3344 · Answer

Politics is corrupt, so be ready to face the corruption. My advice is don’t get into Politics if you value your integrity and morality.

CloudMassacre · Answer

Pretend you’re an establishment politician for a few decades and then start pushing your actual values

GoodGuyBreakingBad · Answer

Follow your dreams and whatever office you want to run for

exitseven · Answer

Never have a cop be your bagman. You should probably not have your drug addicted son do it either.

Iron_Man · Answer

Beast thick skinned they’re gonna ridicule you from head to toe

OddBeMe · Answer

Learn to market yourself and kiss ass. Also be a sociopath and chameleon who can make anyone feel like your best friend.

Hispanic-Cool-Guy · Answer

Be prepare to meet some greedy and backstabbing evil scumbags.

Guido · Answer

Go get a lobotomy and become a pathological liar if you want to succeed in politics.

TonyMetal___86 · Answer

Be honest and work for the people and make life easier...

Waldoe · Answer

DON'T... if you wrestle with pigs... you always get dirty

driven159 · Answer

Make sure you have no skeletons in your closet because they will be found and used against you

Imsmurter1 · Answer

Instead of going into politics you should become my wife instead Bordeaux girl :) yeah

Dinosaursandanime65 · Answer

Basically anything you say will offend anyone, so don’t give a fiddle stick about no one

Anonymous · Answer

Set up an offshore bank account for bribes from the NRA, pro-life, etc.

Anonymous · Answer

The USA is the humanity's biggest enemy. If you're not anti-American, you will be one more system pig if you get into politics.

robocop666 · Answer

dont reveal your face publicly till your over 30. And be ready for abuse

The_Uncivilised · Answer

Don't. It's for psychopaths and their sociopathic social-climbing asswipe bootlickers.

normalice · Answer

Take acting lessons first.

Squaresquirrel · Answer

Work on your inner psychopath.

sage2021 · Answer

Be on the right (republican)

talka20 · Answer

Dont get sold for whatever u get offered

joeldalton · Answer

Just be a prostitute. It’s more honorable.

Anonymous · Answer

Go RIGHT... way. hahaha

Anonymous · Answer

The more corrupt you are the further you will go.

Juxtapose · Answer

Don't. Seriously, don't.

Crankor · Answer

Be prepared to throw your life away

noohair · Answer

You will lose your soul.

Paul09 · Answer

That's foolish. Politics is corrupted b. s.

zagor · Answer

Live as bland a life as possible.

Twalli · Answer

If it's national, don't

deshazoj2 · Answer

Only do it if you want to be hated by everyone

Sabretooth · Answer

your soul will always be at risk.

whereismyjohnny · Answer

Don't? 😂

BLP11520 · Answer

Don't do it... stay in the private sector.

Anonymous · Answer

None. I wouldn't wish that life on anyone.

UniquelyBasic · Answer

Dont

What advice would you give to a young person who wants to go into politics?

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Im thinking of running for political office. can you guys ask me political questions and I’ll do a mytake answering them?

What advice would you give to a young person who wants to go into politics?

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Im thinking of running for political office. can you guys ask me political questions and I’ll do a mytake answering them?

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