Warning against making politics a main livelihood

By Alex P. Vidal

“Politics have no relation to morals.”— Niccolo Machiavelli

WE had warned in the past that those who made politics as their main livelihood would always end up in grief and anxiety if they couldn’t sustain the momentum that brought them in that “profession.”

At this early, some of those aspiring for another term or itching to comeback in the local positions in 2025 have started to queue for slots in the most influential and rich political parties.

Affiliations with political parties have nothing to do with their principle. It’s a matter of survival thus they don’t give a hoot if they land in the most despicable party that does not represent their values and identity—as long as the party can ferry them to victory.

In the aftermath of the 2022 election when many so-called celebrities failed to secure a reelection, we had warned that in order to “survive” in life victory for them was a must; they must win in every election and there should be no room for failure or loss.

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.

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We know a lot of politicians who ended up like beggars after failing to secure a reelection victory. Some of these vanquished politicians languished in destitution and died a pauper after failing to win a reelection bid in the major positions especially in the local legislature.

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

Either they will try their luck in the next election or stay away from politics for good if they feel politics or civil service isn’t their forte.

They can survive without politics because they have been financially independent even before they dabbled in politics.

They must beware of politics. It can either make them rich and famous if they get lucky to always stay in the winning column every election, or make them poorer financially, dash their hopes for a glamorous life to pieces, and destroy their life.

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It’s been 12 years since I interviewed Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban in the media center of the MGM Gand in Las Vegas while covering the fight of defeated presidential candidate, Sen. Manny Pacquiao.

The chance to interview Cuban came when he visited the media center. Then ranked as among the richest in the world, according to Forbes, Cuban had failed to acquire the Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers. 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.”

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The 2024 NBA Draft Lottery was nothing if not entertaining television.

Although the incoming draft is widely regarded as one of the weakest classes in NBA history, David Suggs and Brendan OSullivan reported that there’s something quite alluring about the concept of teams pinning their hopes for the future on a couple of plastic ping-pong balls.

They think this year’s version of the event was about as dramatic as one could hope for.

The Hawks and Rockets climbed into the top four despite entering the day with odds of 3.0 and 1.5 percent, respectively, of landing the No. 1 pick.

When the dust settled, it was Atlanta that nabbed the grandest of all prizes. The Hawks will select first in the NBA Draft for the first time since 1975 when they took Hall-of-Famer David Thompson.

At present, it looks unlikely that any of Atlanta’s potential options at No. 1 will be able to match Thompson’s peak. Then again, you never know.

Nevertheless, the Hawks will be buzzing with an opportunity to accelerate their retool and acquire more high-level pieces to pair with supernova Trae Young.

Atlanta will be followed by the Wizards, Rockets, and Spurs in the top four. The Pistons, who finished with the worst record in the league for the second-consecutive season, will pick fifth in this year’s draft…for the second straight season.

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