What kind of person is the ideal representative in a democracy?

K.N.I. Bell
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[see also Voting Systems]

People enter politics for many reasons:
      Some like talking. Some like fighting. Some like money. Some like power.  
      Some tell us straight what they plan to do.
      Some listen to the polls and tell you whatever they think we want to hear---and then do whatever suits them. Some are the ideal employee, willing to do whatever the boss wants --- but is the boss us, or someone else?. (And, thankfully, some are not that 'ideal employee'.)
      Some are true volunteers. Some work toward noble goals. Some are good at helping others work toward noble goals.

The true volunteers don't always agree with party platforms, and may not fit in with intra-party politics.
      But shouldn't we have the opportunity to hear them all equally?
      Wouldn't that give us the best opportunity to choose what kind of representative we want?

Election expenses are typically substantial.
      Advertising (TV, Radio) is expensive.
      Signs are expensive.
      Rent is expensive.
      Campaign managers are expensive.

If you have someone who will buy all those things, you have a better chance. But what does he want in exchange?

Or perhaps affiliation with an established Party will boost your chances. But what do they want in return? Who funds them and what to those people in turn want in exchange?

Some private consulting companies specialise in running (and, they claim, winning) elections. Just Google: election campaign strategy consultant.

Do you want to buy your representatives from private business? Is that democracy? If the best person could not afford to volunteer to be a candidate, is that good or bad for us and democracy?

Obviously, unequal access to money, and unequal costs (in terms of 'understandings' with major donors) are potentially distortive of democracy.
   (And supposing we said the money issues etc. really didn't matter, then why not go whole hog and start up a company that rents the services of people who'll be your representative?)

There are two main routes to attaining a level playing field during an election.

1. Set a really low limit on each candidate's, and each party's, monetary expenses. This still allows unlimited volunteers and shoe leather.
2. Fix an amount that each candidate will get from the public purse, and prohibit others.

If you want to keep Independents on the same level playing field, that'll probably require a restriction that parties must be funded through contributions from candidates only.