Politics is admired as a noble profession where leaders work hard to develop society. But my story is different. I did not get into politics to help people or change the world. But my motivations were all the more self-centered and sinister.
Before I became a politician, my life was filled with questionable choices and shady dealings. If exposed, I was involved in activities that could ruin me—illegal transactions, manipulation, and deceit. I needed a way out, a way to protect myself from the consequences that were looming over me. And that’s when I realized that politics could offer the perfect cover.
As a politician, I can get hold of power and influence. The people don’t get served…the only one getting fed is me… I thought, finally a chance to cut the rules in my favor and for those near me. The law- the thing I once felt was a looming monster always peering over my shoulder had become something that I could game and control like some kind of wild beast. I did not want them to be directly responsible for my actions so I made the system work in my favor.
It is one of the benefits of being a politician you see, all that information. I had always felt that I could get my skeletons further back in the closet, by going into politics. I can pull strings and make opponents shut up quickly even intimidate potential whistle-blowers. Politics was my way to hide the faults and sins of my life.
But it didn’t stop there. I thought of politics as a ticket to more — money, influence, and power. Let us take into consideration I had worked deals in this role where my pockets never ran low. Corruption? I thought of it as an end to a mean. I surrounded myself with powerful friends who also had no moral close at hand and between us ensured our interests never got damaged.
And of course, as a politician, I could crush my enemies. The potential threat to my facade naturally met opposition, and exposure was dealt with in the usual manner. Many people have, only for some to find themselves quickly on the other side — where I could then smear them into insensibility and ruin their lives through my degree of influence. For someone like me, politics was a blood sport; and to the victor went profligate spoils of war.
Just know, when you see me shaking hands and smiling for the cameras behind my façade there is so much more. I did not involve myself in politics to change the world, I did it because I wanted to control and I don’t believe that law would touch me ever. And this is the dirty secret of why I chose to be a public servant.
Author’s Note:
Please note as a writer, this is not my content about any particular individual. Instead, these examples are hypothetical and intended to examine some of the more sinister reasons you might have for wanting to get into politics. It is an examination of how power is corrupted when personal objectives move longer than the general welfare. This article is written in the spirit of encouraging debate and thought, not to shame or intimidate.
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