Shorter WaPo: “What? People don’t equate politicians to saints? OH NOES! I CAN HAS ARMAGEDDON!!!”

In a week in which an argument between Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) dominated the political headlines, a new survey offers a warning to all politicians that the American people have come to this campaign with a wholly cynical view of the political process.

The Battleground Poll is a long-running bipartisan project that has regularly taken the temperature of the electorate. The newest report, issued by Republican Brian Tringali of the Tarrance Group and Democrat Celinda Lake of Lake Research Partners, includes several startling indicators of a political system in distress.

Majorities of Americans believe that most politicians are not trustworthy, and they hold an unfavorable view toward them in general. That was in line with what many surveys have shown.

Even more striking was the answer to the question of whether Americans believe that their own member of Congress puts partisan politics ahead of constituents’ interests. Fully 71 percent said yes, and 63 percent strongly held that view. (emphasis mine)

Of all the things to complain about, they’re worried about people approaching politics cynically. IMO, that’s a GOOD thing, the more cynical the better.

For anyone out there who is having brainfreeze from that statement, think of what that term “cynical” means. The first definition in the dictionary says the following:

Believing or showing the belief that people are motivated chiefly by base or selfish concerns; skeptical of the motives of others.

Like it or not, this is how most people are by default. In everyday life, human beings mostly go about their business with the intent to help themselves, this is why it is considered such a pleasant* surprise when we help each other. Also, last time I checked, politicians were human beings, regardless of the power they claim. So naturally, it’s logical to assume that they have interests of their own. Unfortunately, as their positions within the State mean they’re assumed the right to use force to reach certain outcomes — in reality that’s all a government is — that means they can get what they want on your back, and have you punished for resisting them.

Now, remove yourself from the context of modern mainstream politics for a moment. Imagine you’re on an island with a few other people, and you want something. You can’t get what you want without hurting everyone else there, but you’re strong enough to kick their asses if they try to stop you. What would you do?

This is how government works. Consequently, this means that the type of people attracted to such power are the types that wouldn’t take anywhere near as long as you would to decide to use it. Some fool themselves into thinking that their interests are yours, and take offense to you complaining — “what is it with these peons? Can’t they seem I’m doing the People’s Work?” — while others admit they’re screwing you and do it as hard and fast as possible. This reality begs quite the question: why would anyone in their right mind assume that a collection of selfish people, with force behind them & no qualms about using it, would work in the interests of people that aren’t them?

Government never was, is not, and never will be a tool of the selfless, or even the merely generous. People who truly want to help others do not need men in uniforms with guns behind them to carry out such a desire, they do it themselves or with other like-minded people. The more that this is realized, and we stop assuming of politicians that they’re monks or something, the better, as we will take the initiative ourselves.

Cynicism is not a disease. It’s the cure.

(* - contrary to what some may think, libertarianism is not synonymous with Objectivism. I don’t think helping others is a sin.)