By: Midmark Onsongo
Worth Noting:
- In the grand theater of politics, promises are the currency of power. But as another wise saying goes, “Promises are like babies: easy to make, hard to deliver.” The public is fed a steady diet of promises, but these often turn into dust in the wind once the ballots are counted. The people, however, are not so easily placated. They demand results, not just rhetoric. “Actions speak louder than words,” and a politician who fails to deliver soon finds themselves on the wrong side of public opinion.
- But what happens when a politician does manage to deliver on their promises? Does this guarantee their success? Not always.
In life, we often find ourselves at the mercy of forces beyond our control, the wind of power being one of them. Power, much like a mirage in the desert, can seem so tantalizingly close, yet remain elusive. Many people, particularly politicians, chase after it relentlessly, believing it to be the ultimate prize. They forget that while they may hold the reins, they are merely stewards of a borrowed throne. A wise man once said, “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” But what is often forgotten is the other side of that coin—”Power reveals.” It lays bare the true nature of those who wield it, showing them for who they truly are, stripped of the facades they once hid behind.
Politicians are, by design, a peculiar breed. They are entrusted with the welfare of the people, yet often they become enmeshed in their own ambitions. It is said, “A politician thinks of the next election, a statesman of the next generation.” Unfortunately, the world today seems to have more politicians than statesmen. They make grand promises, pledging the sun and the moon, but once in power, they find themselves entangled in the webs of compromise, deceit, and manipulation. As the saying goes, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” What started as noble goals becomes a relentless quest for survival, where the ends justify the means.
The people are not blind to this reality. They see through the charades, the false smiles, and the empty rhetoric. They recognize that they are often being played, but feel powerless to change the game. “You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time,” Abraham Lincoln once remarked. Yet, many politicians persist in their belief that they can outsmart the masses. They forget that “Truth, like oil, will rise to the surface,” and eventually, their deceptions will be exposed.
In the grand theater of politics, promises are the currency of power. But as another wise saying goes, “Promises are like babies: easy to make, hard to deliver.” The public is fed a steady diet of promises, but these often turn into dust in the wind once the ballots are counted. The people, however, are not so easily placated. They demand results, not just rhetoric. “Actions speak louder than words,” and a politician who fails to deliver soon finds themselves on the wrong side of public opinion.
But what happens when a politician does manage to deliver on their promises? Does this guarantee their success? Not always. The people are fickle, their loyalty transient. They may applaud today, but tomorrow they may turn against the very person they once supported. “A leader without followers is just someone taking a walk,” and in the volatile world of politics, followers can be as unreliable as shifting sands. One moment they are with you, the next they have abandoned you for a new, more promising leader. “In politics, nothing is permanent except change,” and those who do not adapt quickly find themselves left behind.
For a politician, the challenge is not just winning power but maintaining it. They must navigate a landscape filled with competing interests, hidden agendas, and constant scrutiny. “Heavy is the head that wears the crown,” and indeed, the burdens of leadership can be overwhelming. Every decision is weighed, every action analyzed, and every misstep magnified. The pressure can be immense, and many leaders find themselves crushed under its weight. “Power is like a sea; the deeper you go, the darker it gets.” For some, this darkness becomes too much to bear, leading them down paths of corruption, betrayal, and ultimately, their own downfall.
But as a politician, one must never forget that the people they serve are not mere pawns in a game of power. “The people are the true rulers,” and any leader who forgets this does so at their own peril. “He who does not serve the people, loses the people.” This is a lesson that many politicians learn too late. They become so focused on their own ambitions that they lose sight of the very people who put them in power. “A good leader leads the people from above them. A great leader leads the people from within them.” The best leaders understand that their power is not their own, but a trust bestowed upon them by the people. “Leadership is not about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge.”
At the end of the day, politics is a gamble. It is a high-stakes game where the players must constantly strategize, adapt, and maneuver to stay ahead. “In politics, there are no permanent enemies or friends, only permanent interests.” A politician who forgets this is doomed to fail. They must always be aware of the shifting dynamics, the changing loyalties, and the ever-present threat of betrayal. “Trust is the currency of leadership,” and without it, a politician is nothing.
But what of the people? How do they fit into this intricate dance of power? They are the spectators, the judges, and the ultimate arbiters of a politician’s fate. “The voice of the people is the voice of God,” and any leader who disregards this voice does so at their own risk. “The pen is mightier than the sword,” and in the age of social media, where information spreads like wildfire, the people’s voice has never been stronger. A politician who fails to listen, who dismisses the concerns of the people, will soon find themselves out of power, replaced by someone who better understands the needs and desires of the masses.
Politics is a double-edged sword. It offers the allure of power, the promise of change, and the opportunity to make a difference. But it also comes with immense responsibility, constant pressure, and the ever-present risk of failure. “Power is a privilege, not a right,” and those who wield it must do so with care, humility, and an unwavering commitment to the people they serve. “Leadership is not about being the best. It’s about making everyone else better.” A politician who remembers this, who stays true to their principles, and who never loses sight of the people, is the one who will truly succeed. For in the end, “The best way to predict the future is to create it,” and it is the politician who creates a better future for all who will be remembered, not just as a leader, but as a true statesman.
A true partner is not someone who completes you, but someone who inspires you to complete yourself. I owe much of who I am today to Consolata O. Wangechi Mwangi, whose unwavering support and wisdom have shaped me into the man I aspire to be. Her love, strength, and guidance are the foundation upon which I build my dreams.
This article was scripted by;
MIDMARK ONSONGO
(Sustainable economist, Geopolitics strategizer)
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