Poem: We Are All Politicians

I decided to look up the definition of the word politician today.  I went to dictionary.com on the internet and found these definitions:  1. A person who is active in party politics.  

2.  A seeker or holder of public office who is more concerned about winning favor or retaining power than about maintaining principles. 

I was quite stunned by the second definition.  It is clearly stating that maintaining the moral high ground is a virtual impossibility once you engage in politics.  Is that true, I pondered?

I have a feeling it is.  No matter how virtuous the person, the small compromises will occur and those small compromises will grow into bigger compromises until the moral compass is spinning out of control never to find its bearings again.  But aren’t we all politicians in our everyday lives?  I think we are, and I think we must battle the same fight to maintain our ethical compass.

We Are All Politicians

We are all politicians,

Making small compromises,

Asserting our opinions,

Working to achieve an outcome,

Finding an advantage

That might suit our needs,

Or make someone else's life

A little bit better,

It can go either way,

We can shake a hand,

Pat a back,

Smile sincerely,

Then walk away,

Feeling, caring,

Worrying about

Our friend;

Wanting what is best for them,

Or maybe we shake a hand,

Pat a back,

Smile sincerely,

Then walk away

Wondering what our friend

Can do for us,

What advantage can be gained

By being in a relationship

With that person?

We are all politicians,

Everyday we rise,

Move through our days,

Looking for some truth,

Hoping for some goodness

To occur,

But within that framework

We look out for our own needs,

And that makes us politicians,

Being a politician used to be

Inspirational,

Admirable,

Respected,

It can be again,

If we use our political savvy

To improve the plight of others,

To change the world for the better,

To focus on the needs of the poor,

Then we are politicians

Of the most admirable sort,

The kind we wish for

When we turn on the news,

The kind we pray for when we

Vote at the polls,

Are they out there?

Do they care?

Do we care?

We are all politicians,

The definition can change;

And so can we,

We are all politicians,

What kind will we be?