Paul Krugman has answered a question I've had for a long time.

[LAS14]

I keep looking for the Charlie Bakers that Kasich is looking for. The Republican outliers who will show a commitment to the right (as opposed to "the wrong," not "the left" ). In particular I've puzzled over why no retiring Republicans have come out against Trump. It's that age-old answer. Follow the money.

What, after all, do retired officials do for a living? Many become lobbyists, and in an era of extreme polarization that means lobbying their own party. Being honest about why you quit would be bad for future business.

Beyond that, the modern U.S. right contains many institutions — Fox News and other media, right-wing think tanks, and others — that offer sinecures to former officials. However, this “wing-nut welfare” — which has no counterpart on the left — is available only to those who continue to toe the line.

Underlining is mine.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/21/opinion/trump-republicans-corruption.html

[dameatball]

1. It is interesting to contrast the skills that are honed by career politicians as opposed to

doctors, lawyers, plumbers, electricians, artists, mechanics, etc. Those careers are a lifelong continuation of learning and developing skills in specific areas of expertise. Compare that to the career politician. Sure they may do things on the side or possibly have a profession prior to being elected, but the learning process after that point is different. What one learns after that point depends on the beliefs of others and how those beliefs can be manipulated.
Some politicians manage to become true leaders and statesmen. The rest have limited options. They sell what skills they have learned in the trade as best they can.
Yes, I am generalizing a bit but that's how I see it.