Dead Politicians

The only good politician is a dead politician. That's not as bad as it sounds. When a person runs for political office with every good intention and dreams of making the world a better place in their view of what that might be, they make promises. We, the people, believe that when we cast our one little vote, those promises will come true. Most politicians are sincere about their goals and do their best to carry them out as promised. After the hype of the election hoopla has died down and the practicals arise, the promises made are either struck down by budget concerns or the opposition's strength or political play engaged when the vote count is too close for comfort. Nothing new there. The new incumbents are bent on doing their best and when the election honeymoon is over and the times when everyone loved them enough to elect them ends, harsh reality begins. When the smiling face of the new politician in his or her designer attire along with the darling family surrounding them, fades into actualities, the real business of management begins. Having to deal with not only the opposition that promised to cooperate while in the glow of their good loser speeches, but also the ever questioning media and the public nit picking begins, the winning politico halo drops off. It's time to don the mail and gloves, get on the armor, and go to work. It's not a job for sissies. The glow being off, the new electee man or woman or gender whatever, is in for it and in a big way. Every iota of their lives, former and present, is examined thoroughly for any hint of modern sin. To remain in the limelight today, is close to being a minor god. You have to be sterling in every sense or else you'll hit the news like rotten eggs. And as we all know, the media hounds love it because it sells. By the end of the incumbents' terms or careers, their actual worth is determined alone by history. And not before. As they say about hindsight, it's the harshest judge. Often times assessing the politician who no one liked for long, in view of what occurred then, perhaps marginally during or wholly after their terms elapsed, is one able to know exactly what the contribution was worth. There being zero politicos who pleased all the people all the time during their "reign", the total picture can't be added up until years later. It seems we are all blinded somehow at the good being done while they are in office. Much later, often when they are long dead, is when countless books are written and photos shown of them, depicting their true value.  All part of the game.  My hat is off to anyone going into politics. Brave souls are they.