[csense]

> Politicians believe in government

Interesting insight. I'm thinking you're saying that people who choose a political career are a self-selected sample of people who believe government is an effective tool.

But what if there are people who are alarmed at the growth of government power, and decide to pursue a political career because they want to make stopping it their life's work? Your line of reasoning would say -- "but such people would believe that government is ineffective, and wouldn't choose a political career as the most effective way to implement the changes they believe are needed."

The problem is that I don't buy it. I also don't buy that people who've already chosen political careers will never switch their views, if the government gets repressive enough.