With these role models, who will take up politics?

Once upon a time, politics was a sport that the outside world watched with great intensity. It attracted the rich and the poor. It attracted dreamers and schemers. It was the launching pad for idealistic young people and experienced old-timers. It became a hiding place for people who had no moral compass and who were dedicated to gaming the system.

Over the course of the country’s history, many great men and women were attracted to the profession of politics. The great leaders who served at all levels of government were dedicated to serving the people faithfully and getting the system to work. They made tough decisions and made great speeches.

Look up quotes from Abraham Lincoln and you’ll find volumes of smart ideas, great wisdom and original thinking. When Lincoln was attacked by his enemies, he had a simple answer. “If I were to try to read, much less answer, all of the attacks made on me,” he said “this shop might well be closed for any business.” When the nation was threatened by division between the North and South, he said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”

Research the wit and wisdom of Teddy Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt or Ronald Reagan and you’ll find stirring words that united the country and occasionally made us laugh with them and not at them. Fast-forward to 2012, and it’s hard for the average citizen to have any deep respect for the current political system or the people who help shape our image of the world of politics.

I’m not aiming any arrows at the people who serve us at the local or state level. We have many decent and solid citizens serving us in these positions. We can be equally proud of our members of Congress from this region, who make many sacrifices to represent us in Washington. But many of the people who would like to run this country, and the current crop of so-called party leaders, are a disappointing and discouraging bunch.