The Purpose Of: Politics
The word politics or politician is one that evokes some unique and oftentimes raw emotions from people. As I said in a previous post, my beliefs and ideology usually find themselves between the extremes and while I don’t have statistics, it sure feels like we’re living in a time of political polarization. I recognize the “conservative” tone this is often said in but I really do believe that’s the way people in control want us, divided. My intentions of this post, like much of what I do, is not to convince you of anything. It’s not to prove me right, you wrong, or anything of the sort. I’ve reached my beliefs because I’ve walked the journey of finding them on my own and as always, encourage you to do the same. My intentions with this post is to remind all of us to what the purpose of politics, and in the same way, politicians. I would also like to engage in some ideas when it comes to our level of interaction and engagement with politics.
At its roots, politics stems from the Greeks and roughly means “the affairs of the cities.” At the beginning it was all about making sure the cities, or the people who make up those cities, were taken care of. To really understand the purpose of politics we have to start there, with its origins. Politics, and by association, politicians are in place as servants of the people they are elected or appointed over. Like with any group, the larger that group gets the more need for leaders to speak on their behalf to make sure the people are being taken care of. This is wear the idea of politicians being “public servants” comes from. In my opinion, it sure doesn’t feel like that these days. Now I recognize that I just made a brash blanket statement and truthfully, I know a couple politicians and have heard of others that still fit that public servant idea but to quote the Oracle from The Matrix movie,
“what do all men with power want? More power.”
There’s a need for accountability for everyone, politicians are no different. They answer to the people who they serve. How does that actually look though and what is our role in politics. A good friend of mine once told me during this past presidential election, people vote three ways. They vote policy, party, or person. The policies are what they stand for and how they’ll look to serve and lead. Obviously they’re party is important to many. Then we see the person. That was more demonstrative this passed couple of presidential elections than at any other time before with some very polar opposite personalities. We have to choose to make our decisions based on these things and live with those decisions. I also think many vote through emotions rather than facts, probably in the lines of the person than the other two.
In order for politicians to be held accountable we have inform and educate ourselves and those in our circles to what’s going on in that world. I understand that’s not always easy as it feel like many news outlets are bias towards one side or the other. We need to know how they are voting, how they are making policy, and how they are doing all they claim to do.
It’s a unique time we find ourselves in when it comes to politics but it’s one that can work. I still believe in democracy. I still believe in the process. I just feel we need some more transparency from those that are serving the people.