The problem with elections is that anybody who wants an office badly enough to run for it probably shouldn't have it. And anybody who does not want an office badly enough to run for it probably shouldn't have it, either. Government office should be received like a child's Christmas present, with surprise and delight. Instead it is usually received like a diploma, an anticlimax that never seems worth the struggle to earn it.
Orson Scott Card's book "Empire" presents a thought-provoking view on the nature of elections and the individuals who pursue public office. He suggests that those who desperately seek power may not be fit to hold it, as their eagerness could stem from a desire for authority rather than genuine public service. Conversely, individuals who lack ambition for such positions might also be unqualified, indicating a complex relationship between desire, capability, and the responsibilities of governance.
Card emphasizes that government office should be approached with joy and surprise, akin to receiving a treasured gift. However, the reality is that it often feels more like a laborious achievement that leaves recipients feeling anticlimactic. This perspective critiques the current state of political ambition and the motivations behind running for office, urging a reevaluation of how we perceive and prepare our leaders.
