Beauty is in the eye...

   A wise man once said "(they) say I am a saint losing myself in politics.  The fact is I am a politician trying my hardest to become a saint."  Even Ghandi struggled to pull off the balance between the two.  To be in politics is probably as close to time travel as any of us will ever come.  Step into the spotlight and prepare to relive everything you hoped the world had forgotten about you. I agree with Amanda Hausmann's editorial, "Liars and Leaders... Synonymous?", on most fronts.  However, the premise that this is a fairly new problem is what I disagree with. (Respectfully, of course, ma'am).

   On the passing of a health-care bill that was crafted behind closed doors, I think the president was in a no win situation. To me, this could be an indication that both parties were going to make concessions that they were not ready to tell the public about.  This may actually be one of the few instances of compromise we've seen lately. Convictions and compromise rarely find each other in the 24 hour news cycle.  This maneuver could illustrate how the president is not following through with his pledge of transparency.  However, failing to find a condition under which the bill could be completed could be interpreted as partisan politics and his unwillingness to reach across the aisle.  He promised not only transparency, but also to work with the Republicans to get things done.  Either way, he will be portrayed as negatively in some way.  Nevermind the thousands of citizens this bill may benefit.  The story will be told through the eyes of the beholder.  My point is, in politics, it will always be about who you're not instead of who you are. 

   The Republican Party once ran an entire campaign not on what they planned to do, but rather, on what Harry Truman had failed to do.  "To err is Truman" was the basis of their entire campaign.  Didn't work, but it was close. It was just easier to criticize than to come up with solutions. 

   Let's put my friend "Aaron" in the political spotlight.  Would the voters see him as a 30 year church goer, or as a 6 year pot user?  It all depends on how you view religion and marijuana, I suppose.  Or how much dirt they find on the other guy.  The spotlight is bright and we're all flawed.  Your heroes and leaders, your neighbors and saints all have skeletons.  As Ben Franklin said, "It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it."