What makes any politician turn bad?

[HARDCORE]

?Corruption in politics, after all, is nothing new!? A study of our brief history will aptly display that the ?Opiate of Power? has sometimes had a ?Mr. Hyde-like Effect? upon even the best intended among us! The problem is that those so infected are, in many cases, unaware of their tragic transition. They see nothing wrong with a regime of lies, a lacking moral code, or their ethical deterioration. In fact, some eventually come to think of themselves as beyond reproach and almost god-like in nature!

The recent fiasco surrounding a California Congressman is not the first (nor is it likely to be the last) time that a person entrusted with great powers has floundered in the face of temptation. And this debilitating moral illness is not limited to any particular political party, race or gender, as corruption and overabundant ego are indeed - equal opportunity destroyers! Destroyers not only of self, but indeed, even corrupters of good intentions, whole governments, and entire races of people!

When one rises to the top by riding a tsunami of (claimed) righteousness and new ideas, and then upon reaching the apex of power and influence, drops the facade to reveal a somewhat odious interior, who then becomes the true victim? Is it the person him (or her) self, that person's political party, or is it the nation as a whole that suffers, along with its entire system of beliefs?

I fully realize that mankind is but human, even though many a mighty politician may disagree with this axiom! Unfortunately, however, it is rarely the politico who suffers from their indiscretions, but rather the people who follow the various banners of politics! And when truth ceases to be a prerequisite of one?s honor, then all else pales and dies along the wayside!

VERITAS (Truth)