Corruption in Politics.

Growing up I was always told, “Why don’t you think before you act?”, “You have to think before you talk!” as I persisted in getting into various troubles. Today, as a grown man I find myself constantly thinking through everything, like a chess game. Potential reactions, solutions to concerns, various outcomes to varied situations. I’m a mixed martial arts fight promoter and I’ve been around fighters, gyms and events for 5 years now.

I’ve trained with some of the best fighters around and I’ve picked up a lot of things over the years. Initially, I was focused on training to fight as a means of getting back into shape with the inspiration stemming from the idea of someone else training harder to do me harm in the cage. The proverbial “ass whoopin” I would get if I didn’t commit to training and getting healthy. I was borderline diabetic at the time so it was either get in a fight or potentially adopt a life threatening condition. The fight sounded much better. I ended up starting a family and getting into the business side of MMA and never got the chance to fight. Over the years I’ve pondered whether or not I should and if I did, how it would change me. What if I won and grew addicted to the rush of victory in front of a roaring crowd? What if I lost and felt obligated to redeem myself? Would it make me more cocky or more humble in my confidence? What would the fight do to change me?

Then I got to thinking about politicians. I find myself wondering how politicians may go into politics bright eyed and bushy tailed, full of aspiration and ambition to change the world for the better only to find themselves caught up in scandals or losing their conscience. What does it take to change the core of a man? What does it take to alter a mans internal identity? I think about myself getting into politics. Not sure how I would make positive changes as I don’t yet know the options or restrictions I would face in my efforts. I think of my heart and passion. I consider my compassion for the people I see who get knocked down in life over and over but continue getting back up to try again. If only they could catch a break. I have these ideals and concepts of how to create a better place. I imagine myself walking into my new office for the first day ready to take on the world and then, a year goes by, then I find myself upon my 4th year. I didn’t accomplish enough. I’m nearing many of my goals but I couldn’t finish. The world isn’t changed and it’s time for a new election. I begin to search for corners to cut. I begin making side deals to add to my campaign funding. I begin selling bits of my soul in exchange for staying around long enough to continue my plans in changing the world. You can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs right? And the process begins. Slowly but surely selling more pieces of my soul to attain a greater foothold on my position. The thrill of the chase begins to inspire me more than my initial mission to make great changes. I begin to justify my actions by telling myself, I had to to stay here. When does it stop? By the time I’ve been in politics one or two terms, how many favors do I owe to those who have helped keep me in office as my addiction thrives? Addicted to the power, addicted to the thrill of the election. Now surrounded by open palms, beaming eyes and a public tired of my broken promises, the need to keep pushing forward only casts shadows on any light I once knew. I’ve lost myself and have become consumed by the position. I’ve become corrupted.

No, not me. I just imagine the course of a weak politician and how his mind may work in the process of retaining his position. But in considering such potential, one can better prepare himself in how to stay focused and on task. Do well by the people and you shouldn’t have to sell your soul to stay in office. You can’t please everyone, but if your heart is truly in the right place and you make moral and ethical decisions when presented with issues demanding such, the Universe will thank you, one way or another.

I tire of seeing so many of these career politicians using their analysts and speech writers to help deliver messages to the public that are focused around what the public wants to hear instead of speaking from their heart with true intentions. Any parrot can recite a pre-written word. What does it say about a man who used the words of another in relation to such important topics? Politicians today have become such a joke. It’s like a cast for a television series. Each candidate their own character in a well thought out play, pre-written and staged for the public, all vying for their marquee placement on the Playbill. Primped and polished and ready to attack each other and manipulate the public.

I won’t do it. There are segments of the public that simply need to be told what to think, how to live, who to be, how to look and so forth. I won’t pander to them. Their goals are not my own. I prefer discussing things with the more self thinking person. The person who shares my vision and intentions and can see past the bullshit. I won’t tone my words or speak anothers. I won’t pander to a public that is too lazy to think for themselves or simply votes for someone based on superficial means. I want to engage the people who also want to make a change. I want to embrace the people who care enough about those who don’t think for themselves and are willing to lead them to a safer place. Some people are set in their ways. They may look at a candidate running for office and vote simply based on their haircut or how pretty his wife is. How well he speaks or how nice he dresses. They listen to the words of such a man, emotionally moved and inspired not caring at all about the fact the the words he speaks aren’t even his own but that of a writer whose sole purpose is to make sure the candidate sounds as perfect as possible.

It will be a while before I begin truly delving into the serious topics and issues of the state of Ohio. It will be a long time before I can officially run. Right now I’m just rambling in my thoughts and sharing my disdain for what I see each and every day. My hope is that no matter what happens in 2014, the people who read this blog begin to ask questions and think more clearly about what they are doing when they cast a vote in someones favor. To better understand what it is they are seeing and hearing.

It’s 1:44 am and I’m tired.

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