Politics

I have never yet met a honest politician who really has the people's best interests at heart.

Correction: I haven't really met many politicians, face to face. But from those about whom I have heard, none are the sort of people I'd trust with governing our country/state/county/city well, equally, and honestly.

Maybe, somewhere, out there, such a politician does exist.

Or maybe not.

Does politics do that to you? Takes an honest person who just wants to better his home, and turns him (or her) into someone who gives pay raises to friends? Someone who lies about themselves to make it seem like they are better citizens and better would-be elected officials? Someone who, during campaign season, blasts ads saying that their opponent is, indeed, a selfish lying stupid fiscally irresponsible dunce (when as a matter of fact each of those terms could be better used to describe that first politician anyways)?

Or is dishonesty what it takes to succeed in the dirty world of politics? If someone who would be willing to lower their own pay as a mayor or other elected official in order to buy better books for poor schools, or to give every family who needs it a substantial meal that is free, would that person just not be elected?

Or, worse, would they be elected, and then turn dishonest, because of the power they hold?

Politics is a frightening world.