What is politics to you?
By John Welford
@indexer (4852)
Leicester, England
February 1, 2018 7:58am CST
I came across a lovely definition of politics the other day:
'Politics' is derived from the word 'poly', meaning 'many', and the word 'ticks', meaning 'blood sucking parasites'. (L Hardiman)
OK - it's a joke, and it made me laugh for one! And I know full well that the word comes from a Greek root that refers to "civil organization".
However, it does sum up many people's view of what politicians are like - sometimes fairly, perhaps.
Are all politicians only in it to feather their nests and make themselves feel important? Or are most of them truly dedicated to improving the lives of their fellow citizens?
4 people like this
4 responses
@indexer (4852)
• Leicester, England
2 Feb 18
I suppose that depends in part on how closely in touch politicians are with the community they represent. Some MPs (I am referring to the British Parliamentary system) are very good at this, others less so. My own MP, for example, has been in Parliament for more than 30 years but lives more than 200 miles away, having never bothered to buy a property in his constituency.
1 person likes this
@indexer (4852)
• Leicester, England
2 Feb 18
@Plethos Things are different in the UK because MPs do not raise campaign funds. Election expenses are strictly controlled and an MP can be barred from taking his seat if his local campaign spends too much money. Likewise, MPs must declare all sums received from all sources during their time in office, with these sums being made public. It is therefore very difficult to buy an election or an MP.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20363)
• Fairfield, Texas
1 Feb 18
Out of the 437 persons in Congress in the US @indexer , I'd say maybe 10 of them actually give a hoot.
@Mike197602 (15504)
• United Kingdom
1 Feb 18
I think some are in politics to genuinely try and change things for the good and some are in it for themselves.
Personally I look at where they came from.
Some did degrees such as PPE and I often think they are the ones in politics for a career and many are self serving...a bit of a generalisation but it does seem that way to me.
Others come from a variety of backgrounds and get into politics for, what I think, are the right reasons...to make things better.
