Political Advisers

By Alex P. Vidal 

“An empty stomach is not a good political adviser.” –Albert Einstein 

IT’S too late now for some candidates—both local and national—to fire or distance themselves from incompetent and harmful political advisers with barely days to go before the May 12, 2025 Philippine election.

They would be hounded by a question of “why only now?”

Sx months ago, we warned here that politicians intending to participate in the midterm polls must carefully select their lieutenants for the campaign because these subalterns could either ruin or make them great.

In most cases inutile, unproductive, corrupt, useless members of campaign staff—or even the so-called “alter egos” of candidates—are the ones who will give them the headaches and even pave their way to political perdition.

Sometimes these political advisers are the ones who need advice; maybe, they became part of the team with a purpose; they are there because of their nefarious objectives and selfishness.

They “give advice” and guidance to political candidates to enrich themselves, save their own ashes and promote their self interest, not to help the political candidates win.

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But dismissing generals in the middle of a war is even disastrous and is considered a wrong move.

It has always been generally discouraged because it disrupts the established chain of command, can cause confusion and demoralize troops, and can hinder the development of effective strategies.

It is said that a stable command structure is crucial for effective communication, coordination, and the successful execution of military objectives.

In politics, hiring and trusting questionable advisers and members of campaign staff with sordid reputations is almost always a death trap or a sure recipe for defeat.

When we hear about someone finding massive success, they always get asked the lamest question in the world.

Garrett Petticrew said sometimes we should ignore most advice. Not because most advice is terrible, but because most advice is awful for us.

The human experience is unique, and each of our journeys is a journey of one, he emphasized.

“Your path is the only one you can walk, and until you learn to understand that, you’re going to have a bad time. It’s also hard enough to find our way without the distraction of useless advice,” added Petticrew.

Will Wight once said, “Cutting a road through a forest is always harder than following one already cut.”

Even in dealing with business, there’s a caveat to be wary of listening to those who are broke. If someone is trying to give us advice on how to make money, let’s ask yourselves one question: do they make a lot of money? If the answer is no, why would we listen to them? If they knew how to get rich, wouldn’t they use this knowledge to put money into their own accounts?

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OUTSMARTING A SNACK ATTACK. Eating two small snacks a day can help us lose weight. Trouble is that research shows that we’re munching more than ever before–choosing foods that are high in calories and fat–and packing on the pounds as a result. “Often we’re not even hungry, but because we’re surrounded by food, we’re tempted to eat anyway,” says Kerry Neville, Ph.D. of American Dietetic Association.

RESPECT THEIR PRIVACY, PLEASE. If cops in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho suspect a couple is having sex inside a vehicle they must honk their horn three times and wait two minutes before being allowed to approach the scene.

LET US STAND UP BEFORE TOUCHING THE TOILET HANDLE.  One in three people flush while sitting down. If we are one of them, let us consider this: When we flush, droplets of water spray in the air. That means we can be exposed to bacteria, which increases our risk of getting a urinary tract infection (UTI). (Source: Soap and Water & Common Sense)

LET US PRAY. “Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; Where there is sadness, joy.”–Saint Francis of Assisi

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)