The Constitution and the Federalist 2/27

Quote:
The appointment of taxes on the various descriptions of property is an act which seems to require the most exact impartiality; yet there is, perhaps, no legislative act in which greater opportunity and temptation are given to a predominant party to trample on the rules of justice. Every shilling with which they overburden the inferior number, is a shilling saved to their own pocket (p. 93). Federalist 10

While I am sure the people of the government have the country in mind when they make decisions about appointing taxes, they also have in mind the personal and political gain that they can achieve depending on the decision that they make. Being apart of this rather important and great system that the US has created seems to me both a great responsibility and a honored opportunity. These select people have the chance to make changes to the world as we know it. Why not start with improving life for themselves and their loved ones? Wanting to better the world for those you care about is not something to think negatively . If people did not want to better the word for their loved ones and themselves, these positions would not exist at all. The line where the influence of their own desires and the good of the country as a whole is made is decided by each member personally, as it should.  The nobility of doing the right thing for the country means making the decisions that are right as well as the ones that are easy.

The government would benefit from those that are impartial. They need people that will make decisions for the benefit of the United States. Is it likely that this will happen? No. Human kind is very much flawed in that aspect. With a position that holds power, there will be the temptation to use it to their for their own gain. Though this view of humanity, is notably "pessimistic" as you mentioned in the lecture, it is also realistic. There are negative aspects, but there will always be whether we acknowledge them or not. I feel that I like this view from Madison because he sees the positives that others acknowledge about the system a uncovers the negatives that others may want to shield, or "sugarcoat" so to speak.