Not so much their local mayor or city councilmen.

I know the mayor and my city councilwoman, Margaret Laurino. The mayor's siblings and Madge are my neighbors.

I also know several of the Cook County Board members and have had lunch at a table for four with the Lt. Governor, Pat Quinn in a little eatery downtown.

I don't know and have never met my Congressional representative. He's never lived in the district, was anointed, and only does the job part-time anyway. He'll serve as long as he cares to through a combination of no term limits and the nature of the nominating system in the political parties.

charles austin, the word you're looking for is “callow”. MY lives in a bubble.

I agree with Richard Gardner: some care, some don't, the longer you're in office the more corrupt you'll inevitably be.

young Mr. Yglesias

?
He isn't young at about 28. To me young is some high school kid ranting.

My town is in a similar discussion - city council members are limited to 10 years. There are many valid reasons not to have a permanent political class. Likewise there are not that many people willing to take up the abuse of being a public figure for many years.

Growing up a family friend had been the mayor for 18 years (James Simpson, Hemet CA). What I learned from him is that some folks "give-a-shit," and others don't. And that long term politicians are always suspect.

Just curious, but are you picking on young Mr. Yglesias by repeatedly highlighting his inexperience in matters of the world?

If he has spoils to hand out, I wish he'd give me some. But I think that system may actually still be more of a northern and eastern thing.