I know a lot of people who say politicians are all crooks, the system corrupts them even if they start out with good intentions. They think they are different than the rest of us. They have sold out, they are open to the highest bidder, they have no conscience of their own. They are all controlled by special interests, etc.
For the most part I don’t believe this to be the case. I think they are driven by the same things most anyone else is driven by:
Self-preservationGathering some degree of wealth and securityHaving people like themHaving a good reputationWanting to do something good in the worldNot wanting to be misunderstoodWanting to be given credit for hard work
Within those desires people make all sorts of choices. Some are governed by fear of losing an election, fear of losing power. Others are governed by gaining security and wealth more than other elements on that list. Depending on their ethics and courage to withstand pressure, they may or may not be open to being corrupted. They might even search it out. But honestly I do not think most politicians are like that. They are just like you and me, they fear dying, whether in their political career or their life. Sometimes they mistake one for the other.
Drawing and commentary © Marty Coleman
“Politics is more dangerous than war, for in war you are only killed once.” – Winston Churchill, 1874-1965, British Prime Minister 1940-1945, 1951-1955
>Its such a hard thing to understand since my desire to understand it all isnt there, but on the flip side, it doesnt give me time to be judgmental, and Im good with that. Thanks Marty.
>I hope you're right Marty. I've met a few. I think many of them are "owned" by the people who helped them get where they are.