I wrote this poem back when I was running for Congress. I was frustrated with the political problems we faced but didn’t understand how to communicate them yet. The problems are representation, incentives, and balance of power. The one in particular that was frustrating me at this time was incentives. Our electoral system, from the party primary structure to the campaign finance laws, is set up to incentivize the wrong people to office and to act as a barrier to those looking to serve.
Enjoy!
Do you want a Congressman or a Campaigner?
Staring at a blank page
Trying to release all the rage
Calm down, no one wants that anger
Just relax and banter
Problems so big no one takes seriously
Stop the delay, it’s time to write furiously
Don’t be scared to challenge peoples mind
It won’t be easy, I’ll be in for a grind
Before I start, I need one question answered
Do you want a congressman or a campaigner?
One solves problems the other is a complainer.
One serves those they lead
The other serves their own need
One works to preserve liberty
The other leaves us in misery
Do you want the same old thing others vying to be a king?
Or do you want something fresh?
All we need to do is mesh
Do you want a congressman or a campaigner?
One solves problems. The other is a complainer.
One follows the constitution
The other is tearing down the institution
One looks to the founder’s intent
The other keeps us in dissent
Do you want a congressman or a campaigner
One solves problems. The other is a complainer.
One wants to debate and rationalize
The other only wants to advertise
One wants to lead you with hope
The other is like walking a tightrope
One wants you to volunteer
The other would rather lead you with fear
Don’t be confused, this is meant to leave you more than amused
It’s time to use your voice
Before they take away your choice
The battle happens in the primary
And losing could be scary
So I ask you one more time
Do you want a congressman or a campaigner
One solves problems. The other is a complainer.
When I ran for Congress in the republican primary I was still new to politics, I believed the people working in the party were there to serve. And they are but they tend to serve their own interests (normally career advancement) over the interest of the community. They weren’t interested in creating a space for debate to build a large coalition of informed voters, they were more concerned with controlling the process so only party loyalists are involved. The best way to get out from under the thumb of the party is to have a large donor base, but that requires setting up a business and selling swag and favors.
After watching J.D. Vance last night, I wonder if he learned the same thing I did. It’s quite difficult to be both a congressman—i.e., a serious politician—and a campaigner—i.e., an entertainer. After all, serious politicians are surrounded by constituents, while a marketing team with matching hats and jackets surrounds campaigners. And it doesn’t end there; as former Florida Representative David Jolly explains in a 2016 60-minute episode, after winning an election, a congressman will learn the congressional schedule is written around fundraising; congressmen are set up in call centers and given scripts and their first responsibility is to raise $18,000 a day! This incentive structure pushes serious politicians looking to serve out of office and encourages the George Santos of the world to run and game the system.
Maybe J.D. got tired of the hustle and grind of a lowly congressman, so he decided to get a sugar daddy to bring in that fundraising dough. Or, maybe he realized the job of a congressman is far too complex to be shared as a telemarketer of interests. Maybe he made a calculated decision to shed his principles and place himself in a position of power to make a change.
That’s what John Tyler did back in 1839 when he ran on the Whig ticket for Vice President with William Henry Harrison. Tyler wasn’t looking to be President as much as he was looking for his next job after resigning his senate seat in 1836. Harrison got sick and died 31 days into office, and Tyler became President and a thorn in the side of his party, leading the Whigs to kick him out.
Tyler isn’t the only one, though. When Lyndon Johnson was asked why he left the powerful position of Senate majority leader to be JFK’s running mate, he replied, “Clare, I looked it up: One out of every four presidents has died in office. I’m a gamblin’ man, darlin’, and this is the only chance I got.”
We can’t really know what changed in the J.D. who praised Yuval Levin’s book Fractured Republic to become the J.D. on the ticket with entertainer and chief Donald Trump. Who, while running to be the leader of the free world, takes time out of his very busy schedule of tweeting and playing golf to pitch Bibles, Gold Watches, and his own Trump Coins.
Maybe I’m wrong; maybe there is more to it than I know. But what I do know is that our system encourages the wrong people to run for, win, and keep office. While entertainers like Donald Trump and con men like George Santos take advantage of that, We the People must have a conversation about congressional reform and change the incentive structure for political office.
Peace and Love,
Jeff Mayhugh