Posted by
James Biga on Friday, October 13, 2006 10:23:12 AM
According to Merriam Webster:
Politics:
a: the art or science of government b : the art or science concerned with guiding or influencing governmental policy c : the art or science concerned with winning and holding control over a government
Seems like a simple definition to me. Unfortunately, like most simple things, people complicate and down right screw it up. When I hear the modern day politician define politics it usually involves the word compromise. Although I am hard headed and uncompromising I do realize there are times when compromise is necessary. However, compromise has come to be the accepted as the unwritten definition of modern politics.
The biggest problem with compromise is it becomes part of a persons make-up, it becomes internalized. Everything the politician is involved in becomes a compromise. Usually the biggest impact is on a politicians ethics and principles. I realize using the words ethics and principles to define a politician will have many of you laughing. In fact, it didn't feel right when I typed it. However, at some point in a politicians life there had to be some sense of these character traits. If my theory is right compromise has led to numerous politicians being involved in under the table scams that probably didn't seem like much when they started. A little here and a little there. "After all the constituency doesn't seem to have a problem with minor graft every now and then. If they think its ok for them then I can do it too."
The problem is we the constituency can be very hypocritical. Graft may be ok for the gu making $40k a year supporting a family of five but not for a politician living off the taxes of said grafter. When a politician has a bank account bigger than 10 of his constituents graft is unacceptable. I am not one that would justify the constituency graft but I am one that would come down harder on the politician. This person is in a position of power which allows control and manipulation over many things the average person has to deal with daily. Once the politician has learned to compromise he can talk himself into anything. This is the imaginary "Grey Area" that people like to talk about. A little here a little there, no one really cares. There's an adage, which I'll paraphrase: "its not doing good when people are watching but doing good when nobody is around that counts." Compromise allows one to slip when no one is around. It doesn't really matter who's going to tell if no one sees?
Our politicians do nothing but compromise. There is no steadfastness in their principles and ideas. Once in office I am sure they get a lecture from senior members on what they should compromise and what they shouldn't. My question is, what if what you are told to compromise on something you believe with all your body and soul that you shouldn't? From the outside the answer is easy, you don't get re-elected. Your party will feign support and watch you fall. But don't worry, usually a slap on the wrist with a strong warning lets the politician realize what he is headed for and he'll sacrifice that principle, which in itself is unethical.
A politician gives an oath to support the Constitution as well as the laws that have been put in place by the august body of statesmen. One of the first things you hear a politician talk about is ignoring the existing laws. They go out and give permission to the constituency to ignore the laws. A perfect example is the Illegal Alien issue. Alot of the same politicians enacted immigration laws are now telling people its ok to ignore them. I can't imagine these people being good parents. Or are they just hypocritical? Do they tell there own kids that they don't have to listen to their parents? This is part of the compromise. Tell people one thing while they practice another. This keeps them in power and may lead to more power later. Meanwhile they treat their constituents as idiots.
I, for one, am tired of compromise. I want a politician who will stand by what he/she says and does what he/she says they will do. When a politician tells me "I believe thus" I want to see it in action "when they do thus." Is this too much to ask for? I am watching my country slowly melt away do to the tact of compromise. Here's a simple phrase from a guy who never graduated college: Compromise is a four letter word.