Beware of politics

By Alex P. Vidal

“In politics stupidity is not a handicap.”—Napoleon Bonaparte

THOSE who make politics as main livelihood will always end up in grief and anxiety if they can’t sustain the momentum that brought them in that “profession.”

In order to “survive” in life they must win in every election; victory is a must. No room for failure.

A defeat means losing their livelihood; it may not be the end of the world for them, but losing an election is tantamount to losing a major source of regular income, aside from losing their self-esteem.

We know a lot of politicians who ended up like beggars after failing to secure a reelection victory. One of them was a popular broadcaster who died a pauper after failing to win a reelection bid for a position in the local legislature.

If they join politics purely with a passion to serve, losing in the election isn’t a major event. It neither shake their spirit nor diminish their self worth.

Either they will try their luck next time, or stay away from politics for good if they feel it’s not their forte. No big deal. No excuses.

They can survive without politics because they have been financially independent even before they attempted and failed to join and stay in politics.

So let’s beware of politics. It can either make us rich and famous if we are lucky to always stay in the winning column every election, or make us poorer financially, dash our hopes for a glamorous life, and destroy our life.

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Congratulations to the newly elected Sangguniang Panlungsod members in Iloilo City: Sedfrey Cabaluna, Miguel Treñas, Alan Zaldivar, Francis Grace Parcon, Nick Baronda, Rodulph Ganzon, Rex Sarabia, Candice Tupas, Johny Young, Romel Duron, Ely Estante Jr., Plaridel Nava.

There are new faces and familiar family names but only one opposition councilor: Nava.

Nava’s return and presence in the administration-dominated local legislature will ensure that the city council won’t be an outright stamping stamp.

Reelected Mayor Geronimo “Jerry” Trenas may still get what he wants from his solid line-up, but Nava, as a lone opposition voice, may be ready to stand in the way if he thinks something is amiss in as far as public interest is concerned.

There are those who still don’t like Nava’s brand of politics, but if they discard personal biases and look at the situation from the perspectives of check and balance, I can say that Nava’s presence in the lion’s den is good for democracy as whole.

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It’s been 10 years since I interviewed Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban in the media center of the MGM Gand in Las Vegas while I was covering the fights of defeated presidential candidate, Sen. Manny Pacquiao.

Then ranked as among the richest in the world, according to Forbes, Cuban had failed to acquire the Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers and my brief interview with him had something to do with his plan to buy the Los Angeles Dodgers.

“When I become owner of Dodgers,” Cuban explained, “fans will never again have to worry about the Dodgers having enough money to sign the best players.”

Cuban continued: “I will spend so much money. Bud will consider fining me. As you know I’ve racked up something like $1.665 million in NBA fines, so if that’s what it takes to have the best team in Los Angeles, bring it on, Buddy Boy. I matched every dollar that I was fined and donated it to charity. I do believe in community, and have the check stubs to prove it.”

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo.—Ed)