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Why would a scientist want to be a politician? So they can spend their days fighting over paperwork instead of solving problems they're passionate about?

The kind of people that want to be scientists would have no interest in politics, beyond what it takes to get them funding.

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My impression is that being a scientist involves a whole lot of fighting over paperwork instead of solving problems (at least in America, when it's time to apply for grants!).

Depending on how much money you need to raise and how good you are at it, fundraising can take from 10% - 80% of your time. Note that even at the high end, you still get 20% of your time to work on scientific problems, which is better than 0% -- what you get in most administrative/political jobs.

[All numbers very approximate.]

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