Political machine saps politicians of their empathy

Wilson J. Matos, Las Vegas

Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 | 2:02 a.m.

As we all know, most politicians are wealthy. And the mantra of rich people is to remain rich, and to become even richer. They do not have empathy for the citizens.

It is not reasonable to expect them to help their constituents.

Politicians start out with high ideals while they are campaigning for election. Their ideals are forgotten once they are elected.

Politicians, whether they are Democrats or Republicans, seem to develop two priorities when they gain office.

1. They quickly learn how easy it is to receive campaign contributions from political action committees, which are rampant in Washington. Legislation is then passed, helping the agendas of the PACs.

2. Getting re-elected becomes the most important priority to them. They would sell their mothers to be re-elected.

It is not so much that they are unwilling to work together and solve the problems confronting our country, as everyone believes. The United States and the common good of this country is not a priority to them. Their main concerns are getting richer and getting re-elected.

Those are their priorities.