“Elections are won by men and women chiefly because most people vote against
somebody rather than for somebody.”—Franklin P. Adams
***
This coming May, we will be selecting our new set of 12 senators (although most of them are former senators and incumbent). Not only that, we are also picking the following positions: congressman, party list, governor, vice-governor, board members, mayor, vice-mayor, and councilors.
Why are these people (old and new) running? Do they really run to serve their fellow beings? This reminds me of the words of David Brinkley. “A person running for political office,” he said, “is seeking power. Power as we know it corrupts.”
American President John Quincy Adams once advised: “Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.”
Kisan Baburao Hazare suggested, “In the coming elections if you cannot decide whom to select, use the vote to reject.” Or listened to what Eugene V. Debs said, “I’d rather vote for something I want and not get it than vote for something I don’t want and get it.”
Are your favorite candidates losing in the surveys, don’t worry. The words of Benjamin Netanyahu reminds, “I always lose the election in the polls, and I always win it on election day.”
Election is serious but on second thought, “politics is funny,” to quote the words of F. G. Kernan. “When a man leaves your party and goes over to the other side, he’s a traitor,” he explained. “When he leaves the other party and comes over to your side, he’s a convert.”
At one time, when I was in the United States, I saw this sign in a car window: “If Con is the opposite of Pro, what is the opposite of Progress?” The answer is no-brainer.
Now, let me share a story sent to me by a friend via e-mail:
A powerful senator dies after a prolonged illness. His soul arrives in heaven and is met by Saint Peter at the entrance. “Welcome to Heaven,” said Saint Peter. “Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we’re not sure what to do with you.”
“No problem, just let me in,” says the senator. “Well, I’d like to but I have orders from higher up,” Saint Peter explains. “What we’ll do is have you spend one day in Hell and one in Heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity.”
“Really, I’ve made up my mind. I want to be in Heaven,” the senator says. “I’m sorry but we have our rules,” replies St. Peter.
And with that, Saint Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to Hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. Nearby are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him.
Everyone is in evening attire and very happy to see him. They run to greet him, hug him, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people. They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster and caviar.
Also present is the Devil, who really is a very friendly guy and who has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that the time flies, and before he realizes it, the senator has to go. Everyone gives him a big hug and waves while the elevator rises.
The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens in Heaven where Saint Peter is waiting for him. “Now it’s time to visit Heaven,” he says.
The next 24 hours pass with the senator joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and Saint Peter returns.
“Well then, you’ve spent a day in Hell and another in Heaven. Now choose your eternity,” Saint Peter tells the lawmaker. The senator reflects for a minute, then answers, “Well, I would never have said it, I mean Heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in Hell.”
So, Saint Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to Hell. Now the doors of the elevator open and he is in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage. He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags. The Devil comes over to him and lays his arm on his neck.
“I don’t understand,” stammers the senator. “Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and a beautiful club and we ate lobster and caviar and danced and had a great time. Now there is only a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable.”
The Devil looks at him, smiles and says, “Yesterday we were campaigning. Today you voted for us!”
Carl Riblet, Jr. reminds us of what a politician is: “In these days of the closest scrutiny of the politician, it is fitting that we list what he needs to succeed. Such a creature of the animal kingdom, besides having the ability to butt like a goat and turn like a worm, must have the eyes of a vulture, the memory of an elephant, rocks in the seat of his pants to break the feet of those who kick him, and the reactions of a skunk.”
Now, choose wisely who you would vote for. Promises, they say, are made to be broken. An ancient proverb said, “When a man repeats a promise again and again, he means to fail you.”
Here’s something to think about. When you rewrite “ELECTION RESULTS,” the new words that emerge are “LIES – LET’S RECOUNT.” Sounds familiar?
