In the wise words of Abraham Lincoln, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”

I am struck by the blatant absence of character displayed by some political leaders today. Their insatiable desire for power causes them to engage in whatever tactics they deem necessary to advance their party and position.  They misrepresent facts and shamefully smear their opponents in order to manipulate the American people.  These politicians do not want to solve problems.  Rather they want to use problems as a weapon against their political enemies.

Our founders fought a revolution in order to take power from the government and give it to the people.  America was never intended to be a nation led by self-serving politicians.   Our founders understood that they were entrusted to speak for the people.  They possessed integrity which is  a quality now scarcely found in our nation’s capital.

Politicians disregard our constitution and the rule of law when it suits their purposes.  They believe they are smarter than our founders and that our constitution is an outdated idea.  These politicians do not believe in a government of the people because there is no power for them in that model.  Many come to Washington, D. C. intending to serve the public but somehow quickly lose their way.  Perhaps they get caught up in the momentum of the game and become desensitized by the rampant corruption and deceit they encounter.

It seems that today’s politicians are only interested in the views of the people when there is an election on the horizon.  They will say almost anything in order to frighten people into supporting their position.  Every election cycle draws us further into the mud with sleazy campaign ads, hateful accusations, and outright lies.  No price is too high to pay for votes.  Election after election, the cycle repeats.  The game never ends but somehow the standards for decency get lower.  In the end, the people are left with empty promises and unsolved problems.

It is sad to think that people of character are as much a thing of the past as bipartisanship.  It is sadder to see that the people of America have become the last consideration of those entrusted to represent them.