Aren't all politicians each of these to a certain degree.
1. A politician who is corrupt.
2. A politician who is incompetent.
3. A politician who is an idiot.
1.By default setup of the current inner workings of politics, all of them are getting kickbacks in some way. Special interest groups and lobbyists do this for a living, pump money into the coffers of at least "campaign" funds. So I would find it hard pressed to find one that isn't on the take..
3.Although I might not use the word "idiot", I would find it almost impossible for those at the Federal and probably State level that are truly out of touch with the struggles of today's middle class. Most come from money, as it takes money to become elected at either of these levels. Beyond campaign funds, they have to have the bankroll to depart their normal job (if they have one) to run for office. So classifying them as clueless to the needs of the masses is probably accurate.
2. 1 and 3 make this almost a given as first they are driven by those kicking into their account, then they more than likely have a no clue to living within the middle class so they use 1 and their diluted views to make decisions. Which will more than likely render them incompetent to do the job, regardless of their intentions.
IMO, it is a system that is set to fail. Very few actually make a positive impact.
So.. I would rather choose 3.. maybe they won't realize they can make a killing via the kickbacks and maybe they won't over think everything and by chance make a difference.
Otherwise.. in today's political landscape.. we the taxpaying America are screwed.
"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"