I am reminded of one of the best things I’ve read about politics and politicians. Unfortunately, I do not remember the source, and a search did not reveal it quickly. These stages are:
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Idealism: Run as a fresh face, promise (and often believe) to root out corruption, Get elected due to a combination of political charisma, and voters are fed up with the corruption of the old regime.
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Compromise and pragmatism: In order to get something done, one compromises with the big players. The corrupt get some, the idealists get some.
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Acquisition and consolidation of power: With success, political power grows, and that includes creating strong networks with other major political players. This is includes more compromise with the corrupt.
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Control and corruption: The politician has achieved power, after a career of spending more and more time with the corrupt. Politician goes with the flow, and makes sure to get some too.
Given the very low fraction of members of Congress who lose elections except for Reps after a new census redistricting, I would like to think there would be more willing to fight for their constituents than for their bribers, but there are very few. They consider individual “constituent service” for a small number a substitute for legislation that benefits far more.
