The problem with positions of power is that the most qualified are least likely to want the job.

Largely because we’ve lost social cohesion and pride, so that few are motivated towards civic good. The solution is purely cultural and doesn’t cost any money. But it requires shifting belief structures, which requires leadership and shared experiences… and that’s hard and rare to achieve.

Not really, its because you will be outspent and stomped in an election by the establishment that profits from the status quo. Being good at winning elections and being a good politician do not always go hand in hand.

That indeed is the ultimate puzzle. Maybe the solution is to pay what they cost and gigify the jobs.

Does the job pay high six figures? If not, will pass

the official salary is $174k, but everyone knows the real money is in the kickbacks from your position of power

Pretty ironic comment from a username that is the_common_man

That thinking is pretty common here :-)

They all come out millionaires if they survive a few terms.

The house has Thomas Massie, Darrell Issa, and Bill Foster, at least.

Issa lost in 2018, IIRC.

He ran and won in another district in 2020.