More excellent writing by Brooks.   I love the way he looks at human drives and not just specific behaviors.   

What he has said here about the political profession is just as true in the private sector.   No matter how many seminars we see on 'following your passion,' the majority of job holders are doing it for income — a way to enjoy life outside of work, or in many cases, just to provide food and shelter for themselves.

If Brooks leaves something out, it's the motivation and environment for a person who is low skill/low pay.    Brooks lives in a world of elite education and mostly elite incomes, it's a life most of us don't know.   Yet, even with that limited group, his observation and why people chose their work remains the same at most all incomes.  The reality is that most people working, have two very unequal options.   Most must go with what puts food on the table.   Equality of opportunity is a myth, not just in our nation, but worldwide.  characteristics