Either way, how can we expect such reform to happen when the politicians we elect to do our bidding aren't held to similar or larger standards? They barely have

Either way, how can we expect such reform to happen when the politicians we elect to do our bidding aren't held to similar or larger standards? They barely have "career" risks in not getting elected if a policy fails. But that's only if it fails spectacularly-enough for the media to make a big fuss over it. Most of the time, they double-down and claim "lack of funding", or something. That's their get-out-of-jail-free card.