satire: Credibility of Politicians is on decline

  

A Netaji has recently declared that the credibility of politicians has gone down. Now, two things come to mind. First, it’s quite something that a politician himself said this—so for once, we have no reason to doubt it! Second, one wonders: why did it take him so long to realize it? We, the public, have known this for ages. In fact, with every election, our belief only grows stronger—whatever a politician promises, rest assured, he’ll do exactly the opposite and get away with it, once again.

 

And please, don’t fall for oft repeated statement once I am elected I will work day and night for the welfare of people. If you believe this, you might as well believe in unicorns. A politician becomes one to fill HIS OWN house, not yours. He wants to secure his own and his family’s future, not yours. Politics, for him, is not a duty—it’s a business venture where power and money are the ultimate products. He’ll sweet-talk you about the nation’s welfare and public good, while secretly checking his swelling bank balance.

 

Those who were real leaders—back in 1940s—have all departed. Today’s lot? You should thank them if they leave you your shirt on your back. Political Leader and credibility are two words that should not be seen in the same sentence. If someone is truly trustworthy, he can’t possibly be a politician. The modern politician’s priority list is simple: first himself last also himself. He may shout hoarse from rooftop: ‘Nation first! Believe me it’s a beautiful piece of reverse engineering.

 

And yet, poor Netaji took decades to see what’s been in front of us all along. Maybe he really thought we were fools. And to be fair, he has a point—since we keep electing the same bunch of them, we must be dim. But what choice do we have? Between a cobra and a python, who do you pick? One wants to swallow you raw; the other prefers you grilled. Ever seen a vegetarian tiger? No? Then don’t expect a corruption-free politician either. Politics is like ‘soy chop’ which is named and appears like spicy non-veg but actually is harmful vegetarian made of hazardous ingredients.

 

And let’s not forget—the politicians come from amongst us only. They’re not aliens imported from Mars. Whatever’s in the pond is what fills the pot. The new breed of politicians has even redefined honesty. Earlier, an honest politician was one who didn’t take bribes. Now, an honest politician is one who does take bribes—but delivers what he was paid for. A man who keeps his word! People now roam around with cash-filled suitcase not to avoid bribery, but to find that rare and right fellow who takes the money and actually does the job.

 

We’ve reached such glorious heights that corruption has become the new morality. The truly honest man, who refuses to play dirty, is dismissed as ‘a good man’—which is just a polite way of saying good for nothing. He’s one caveman who still believes in rules. Poor chap doesn’t know the first rule of the game: Rules are for fools.

 

We’ve seen all kinds of politicians—loud ones, sly ones, holy ones, and hooligans. Once upon a time, we used to have statesmen in our midst. No more. Now, we have Paid Politicians. You can sigh and wonder where have all the statesman and leaders gone? What we are left with is just lot of buffoonery.