You're probably right given ned kelly and all

How do the politicians get elected then? You're not (on average) bootlickers but do prefer to be ruled by bootlickers?

people on average are naive about politics, even when they declare they dont trust politicians. they fall for the same tricks every time: fear and greed mostly. they then go and vote based on what they think will maximise their returns and the people they vote for turn around and start bootlicking while ignoring domestic concerns until the next election cycle. so no, we arent bootlickers, stupid yes, bootlickers no.