It’s election time. Politicians are on the move. They need to win votes. And so as much as they do not like to but because every single vote counts, they had to go to the Indian reservation to do their campaigning. The politicians know that this year’s election will be a close fight and getting the Native American Indian vote will be crucial.
They were all assembled in the Council Hall to hear the speech. The politician had worked up to his finale, and the crowd was getting more and more excited. “I promise better education opportunities for Native Americans!” The crowd went wild, shouting “Hoya! Hoya!” The politician was a bit puzzled by the native word, but was encouraged by their enthusiasm. “I promise gambling reforms to allow a Casino on the Reservation!” “Hoya! Hoya!” cried the crowd, stomping their feet. “I promise more social reforms and job opportunities for Native Americans!” The crowd reached a frenzied pitch shouting “Hoya! Hoya! Hoya!”
“I promise to stomp out corruption here inside the reservation.”
Even the children joined the shouting: “Hoya! Hoya! Hoya!”
Body tired, throat sore the politician shouted his loudest: “And I promise you I will stay honest and truthful!”
And so far the loudest response from the audience came: “Hoya! Hoya! Hoya!” After the speech, the Politician was touring the reservation, and saw a tremendous herd of cattle. Since he was raised on a ranch, and knew a bit about cattle, he asked the Chief if he could get closer to take a look at the cattle. “Sure,” the Chief said, “but be careful not to step in the Hoya.”
There’s just this thing about politicians and promises during election season.
Now let me tell you another story.
A member of the Senate, known for his hot temper and acid tongue, explodes one day in mid session and begins to shout, “Half of this Senate is made up of cowards and corrupt politicians!” All the other Senators plead to the angry member that he withdraw his statement, or be removed from the remainder of the session. After a long pause, the angry member accepted. “Ok” he said, “I withdraw what I said. Half of this Senate is NOT made up of cowards and corrupt politicians!”
Now let’s be fair. Not all politicians are dishonest. Not all politicians over promise and under-deliver. You just need to know which half it is.
The politician was sitting at his campaign headquarters when the phone rang. He listened intently, and after a moment his face brightened. When he hung up, he immediately phoned his mother to tell her the good news. “Ma,” he shouted, “the results are in. I won the election!” “Honestly?” The politician’s smiled faded. “Aw, heck, Ma, why bring that up at a time like this?”
And here is my last jab today on politicians.
A little girl asked her mother whether all fairy tales began with “Once Upon a Time.”
“No,” replied the mother. “Today most of them begin with “If I’m elected….”
If you look up the online dictionary: “The Free Dictionary” by Farlex (www.freedictionary.com) you will be surprised to find that the word “Politician” is defined:
- One who is actively involved in politics, especially party politics.
- One who holds or seeks a political office.
- One who seeks personal or partisan gain, often by scheming and maneuvering.
- One who is skilled or experienced in the science or administration of government.
John F. Kennedy said: “Mothers may still want their favorite sons to grow up to be President, but… they do not want them to become politicians in the process.”
A gentleman named Peter Frame says: “Politics is the gentle art of getting votes from the poor and campaign funds from the rich, by promising to protect each from the other.” How true this is specially in our country.
How I wish we have more statesmen than politicians in this beloved nation of ours. And just in case you do not know the difference, the politician thinks of the next election while the statesman thinks of the next generation.
Let us pray that God will give us honest men and women who will lead the nation towards the paths of righteousness and justice. And yes in case you did not know, there are godly politicians and they pray too.
Here is the way an honest politician prays: “O Lord, give us the wisdom to utter words that are gentle and tender, for tomorrow we may have to eat them.”
Napakagandang post po Sir Francis. Thanks!
Sir Francis,
I admire your post about politicians even those leadership and management learnings. We are now in a crucial stage this 2010 elections, how about not staying neutral? How about giving your stand and not being neutral? Neither hot nor cold, where are you? To whom will your vote go and why?
WE are not just in the state of being funny but to choose our next president. There was a coach once who said, “don’t tell me your point when the game is over for by that time I know what to do.”
GOD Bless the Philippines!
GOD Bless the Philippines!!!
Thank you for your comment. But there is no such thing as being neutral. People never see things as they are, they always see things as they are…..
Just as Thomas Jefferson said, “God grant that men of principle shall be our principal men.”
sir francis,.. I’ve learned a lot reading your post..:D “the politician thinks of the next election, while the statesman thinks of the next generation” love it…:)
haha.. it’s been long since i last read your articles, i was laughing on all the punch lines you’ve delivered. nice work sir and keep it up..
certainly there are politicians who are godly they know how to pray in times of elections coupled with a manipulation….
it is really a shame for a CHRISTIAN country like us to be ruled by some corrupt politicians…….
all we can do aside from voting right is to pray for the betterment of our country…
solicited prayer is very powerful..
just trust on the LORD and remember to do your part also……
may it be our passion to lived a life that is pleasing in GODs’ sight
let us always remember if we do things we are just facing a single audience that is the LORD…for politicians and for us let be accountable of our doings…
sir i’m looking forward for the seminar that you will be conducted this Saturday at university of saint la salle- bacolod…
GODbless more wisdom from the LORD