When I was really little my Uncle Leroy was the Alderman for our Ward, that is what the district was called then, in Wilmington De.

Not big politics but we were horribly impressed. Uncle Le always appeared to be doing things for others. He helped my mother get our first apartment; it was the second story of a row house, close to grand mom’s of course. See my father died, I was 2, my sister 4 and my mother pregnant with my baby brother. And well in 1960 a woman couldn't always rent a place on her own. "A man would have to sign, see, you might nit make it alone there missy, with all those kids and all."

So Uncle Le signed, and we got our first place, we shared the bathroom with the people on the third floor, but it was not in Grand mom’s house anymore, and Mother was so proud. And Uncle Le, well he made it all possible.

It seemed Uncle Le was always doing for others, every time I turned around, feeding that family, clothing another, paying the rent, or buying coal (source of heat)

My grandfather called it Altruistic, that Uncle Le had been elected to represent he people of the Ward, and wanting that job, working for the job, meant uncle Le had to be better than most.

Wikipedia

Altruism can be distinguished from a feeling of loyalty and duty. Altruism focuses on a motivation to help others or a want to do good without reward, while duty focuses on a moral obligation towards a specific individual (for example, a God, a king), a specific organization (for example, a government), or an abstract concept (for example, patriotism etc). Some individuals may feel both altruism and duty, while others may not.

Pure altruism is giving without regard to reward or the benefits of recognition

There in lies my issue, the regard to reward or the benefits of recognition.

Uncle Le was never honored for what he did as our Alderman, you can't even find his name on the Internet (horrors). Because what he did, he did for altruistic reasons. He went in to politics to make the live of the people living in the 5th Ward in Wilmington, DE better.

Now I don't know how much money it took Uncle Le to get elected, but I cant' not imagine it was much, he worked at the dairy, and had a wife crippled by MS.

And yet he gave to others. THAT is real Politics. THAT is why you run, why you take the job.

Now I am married to a man who could be called Altruistic, he never seeks attention or recognition for what he does. He is a pure soul who treats those he likes and dislikes in the same manner. He has never harmed a soul, except hurt my feelings now and then. If there is a neighbor or friend who needs help, they can and do always count on him. He will help with anything and everything he can. I have seen him rebuild a house for a neighbor; sacrifice a car for weeks for another. Run to his mother’s house, when she saw a snake, and she lived 40 minutes away.

If you gave him a million dollars, he would save it for a rainy day. (no kidding) You never see him in boastful cars, clothes, or attitude.

These are the kinds of people we want in office. Uncle Le was like this, and he was a good politician. If we had my hubby run today though, he would have to compromise himself, compromise his values, and honesty, to get the money needed to run for office. I hear others talking about my new Governor as if he were altruistic, but he is supported by the beltway bandits, defense contractors, and very large insurance lobbyist. Hard to stay honest and true in that shark pool.

So have we set ourselves into a system that causes corruption? If it takes 100 million to get in the game, then who and what are you to take that kind of money? How can you be altruistic, if you are in debt to so many for your election?

I have a real problem with the money everyone is talking about raising for this election. I have a problem with the greed it takes to raise that kind of money. I have a real problem with the kind of person it takes to raise that kind of money.

Why can’t we find an honest Politician? The Money.
Who paid for you to run, who is paying for you to sit there, and what do they want.

Wikipedia

Altruism is selfless concern for the welfare of others. It is a traditional virtue in many cultures, and central to many religious traditions. In English, this idea was often described as the Golden rule of ethics. In Buddhism it is considered a fundamental property of human nature.