How many of us have voted for a candidate that we knew was going to do something that would hurt us as an individual, someone whose solutions to problems meant that you, personally, would either suffer or not benefit, but whose overall solutions, you felt, would solve larger problems? Some examples: We all want to cut government spending and waste, but who wants the military base closest to them closed, even though many bases were unnecessary? Most who work for the government know that there is a great deal of waste, but how many would vote for someone who was going to eliminate their job? (Have you ever heard a government worker say that his own job should be eliminated? Yet, there are many that should be.) How many wealthy earners (making over $500,000 a year) would vote for someone who intended to raise the tax on those making over $500,000?

There is an old saying that all politics are local, and that seems to be true, but is it right? It seems to me that very few voters look at the larger picture when it comes to issues that would cost them money. One of the richest men in England, Lord Rothschild, was asked by someone in the English government, just prior to WWI, how England could possibly pay for war. (I've forgotten exactly which Lord Rothschild, and which member of the government.) His response was to tax the wealthy, because that was where the money was. Does America have people like that? Can the average citizen look at the larger picture when it may mean less money for him? Shouldn't we be doing what is best for the country, and not the best for one's own city, region, or industry?

Dorian, that's kind of a broad question with a lot of strings attached. I do try to look at the larger picture if the picture is not smudged. Believe me, what's best for our country should include all citizens of our country. There should be a plan that at least semi-include everyone's city, region, or industry.

I've never seen a candidate yet where all issues would benefit me, but I have seen candidates that tried to cut the pie as equal as possible. We know it can't be totlly equal because that depends on too many things. I think anytime we vote that we are voting against a few of our interests. It's not wise tho, to vote for someone where 'everything' are not in your interest.

Our country are the citizens. We are our country. The only way to do what's best for our country is to do what's best for all citizens.

We all hate Congress but a majority of us like our own Congressman! Your Congressman "fights" for you (if I hear another candidate say that I think I'll vomit).

Often, one has short-term and long-term interests which are mutually contradictory.

For example, we may all have a short-term interest in income tax reductions, but our long term interests will usually be better served by paying down the national debt, so that when we do pay taxes, we actually can actually get something for our money, rather than simply passing it to someone who has invested in federal bonds or other federal debt instruments.

Alan Moore