What Does Our Choice of Politicians Say About Us?

Regardless of whether we love or loathe our political leaders, we need to remember that ultimately we get who we deserve.

At least here in the US, where we elect our leaders, we collectively share responsibility for whoever we put into office. No, they won’t align with every individual’s values or priorities, but they have to be chosen by a large percentage of the people, and this in itself points to something. It may point to what we as a people are looking for in a leader, or to the fears or desires that drive us. Maybe our selection serves to underscore the types of systems we the people have been creating and building over time. In any case, our choice is a reflection of us collectively, whether we like it or not.

So if there comes a time when you shake your head at who gets elected, and think to yourself, “we’re better than this,” remember that we get who we deserve. Who we choose as a group tells us about who we are as a group. And sometimes, unfortunately, that can be a pretty sobering thought.