Quote of the Day - Politicians

No one will really understand politics until they understand that politicians are not trying to solve our problems. They are trying to solve their own problems – of which getting elected and re-elected are number one and number two. Whatever is number three is far behind. – Thomas Sowell

It is an election year. I thought it worth putting up this caution against falling in love with politicians. People do anyway, but it is folly.

I have known politicians. Been friendly with a few and have become friends with one or two. There are even a few I would hide in my house if the mob was howling to string 'em up, and when the mob came knocking at my door I'd say "Nope. Not here. I think he went thataway" - pointing down the street. But I have never trusted them as politicians. As politicians their sole goal is to get elected and reelected.

That is why Washington's interests - or your state house's interest only coincidentally align with your own. They are cutting deals to get reelected - or to stay out of jail so they can get reelected. (Nothing like a threat to get charged with the type of malfeasance all politicians participate in to whip a vote against the interests of your constituents. Like W. C. Fields says, "you can't cheat an honest man." You sure can pressure a dirty one, though.)

The only opportunity for the public to weigh in their displeasure comes on election day. That is when we hold politicians to account. Don't be afraid to vote the rascals out. Even if you don't succeed, if you scuff them up badly enough, they might behave the next term. We have a primary coming up in Texas in March. There are at least two incumbents on the ballot for whom I have campaigned in the past. This year I will be voting for their primary opponents because of their actions during their last term of office. Further, I have let them know why I am not voting for them.

Unless the voters collect scalps, politicians will not come to heel.