What best constitutes a crooked politician?

Unfortunately, like bad road kill, they exist. Bad politicians that is, with “bad” being defined as “crooked.” In other words, a politician, man or woman, who can be bribed if the price is right.

Lately, I’ve been playing around with AI (artificial intelligence), in the hopes of replacing the brain I no longer have. Actually, mine still exists, but for how long, no one knows. I look at Bruce Willis, my age with dementia, and I think, the luck of the draw.

Pleasant topic, I know, but actually I was thinking about crooked politicians. Either locally, at the state level, or with an office in D.C.

What will most likely lead an elected official to turn dirty? I went to one AI model and asked, what are the characteristics of a crooked politician. Not exactly in that way, because the software/hardware machine doesn’t want to facilitate crimes. There are ways, though, to get it to list five of the main characteristics of a corrupt politician just in case a man or woman has his or her eye on such a gig, they can practice now.

Here’s what I got back in the way of characteristics. See if you agree.

1. Charm and charisma: Corrupt politicians may have the ability to make people feel good, listen to their concerns, and seem genuinely interested in helping them, even though they may have no intention of following through on their promises. They may be skilled at public speaking, have a quick wit, and know how to use humor to disarm their critics.

2. Deceitfulness and dishonesty: Corrupt politicians may be experts at hiding their true intentions, concealing their financial dealings, and keeping secrets from the public. They may engage in double-talk, dodge questions, or provide vague answers to avoid revealing the truth. They may also be masters of misdirection, deflecting attention from their own misdeeds by pointing fingers at others.

3. Ruthlessness and ambition: Corrupt politicians may be willing to use whatever means necessary to achieve their goals, including destroying the careers or reputations of their opponents, or even engaging in criminal activity. They may be driven by a deep-seated desire for power or a sense of entitlement that makes them believe they are above the law.

4. Greed and avarice: Corrupt politicians may be motivated by a desire for wealth or personal gain, but they may also be driven by a thirst for status, recognition, or power. They may be obsessed with maintaining their position of influence or protecting their personal brand at all costs. They may also be attracted to the perks and privileges that come with their position, such as travel, exclusive events, or access to high-profile figures.

5. Lack of empathy and moral conscience: Corrupt politicians may be able to justify their actions to themselves, even when they know they are doing something wrong. They may have a distorted sense of right and wrong, or they may simply not care about the consequences of their actions for others. They may be unable to feel empathy or remorse for those who are negatively impacted by their behavior. They may also be skilled at rationalizing their actions, convincing themselves that they are doing the right thing or that their actions are justified by some greater good.

According to my AI buddy, these are just a few possible characteristics that could apply to a crooked politician, and I have to say, I agree with all of them. Other major traits or motivations could also be at play, such as casual sex, which might even be considered a given by some.

There is some reason too many of these elections cost ridiculous sums of money, and it’s not all centered around public service.

True?