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Politicians are people Americans love to hate. Much of their negative public perception is well-deserved. However, I do feel sorry for them in a way because, sometimes, they just can't win.
When they change their mind, they are called flip-floppers. But if they refuse to do so, they are called closed-minded, rigid, and dogmatic, and are perceived as unwilling to compromise or reach across the political aisle.
If they run attack ads, they are called bullies and mudslingers and are said to be going negative. But if they stay positive all the time, they are seen as wimpy, unwilling to fight back, or perhaps unable to defend their positions.
If they openly talk about their religious beliefs, they are said to be mixing religion with politics and forcing their religion down the throat of the voting public. But if they keep silent about religion, they are viewed as too secular and out of touch with a nation whose majority claims to be religious.
If they voice their support for certain wars, they are called warmongers. But if they oppose those wars, people say they would make weak leaders and accuse them of not supporting our troops.
If they attract large crowds, they are compared to empty-headed celebrities and accused of thinking they are God-like. But if they don't, they are criticized for lacking charisma and not being able to excite their base.
If they are specific about what they want to do when they are elected, they are called policy wonks. But if they are not, they are accused of being evasive or "lacking a plan."
If their campaign is about change, they are said to be too risky of a choice. But if it is not, they are criticized for being just more of the same.
If they travel abroad, they are accused of spending too much too time out of the country and not taking care of domestic affairs. But if they don't, they are criticized for their "lack of curiosity" about the outside world.
If they believe in free trade, they are accused of running up the trade deficit and sending American jobs offshore. But if they don't, they are called isolationists.
If they are willing to sit down and negotiate with our enemies, they are called capitulators and are said to be caving in. But if they are not, they are accused of taking too hard a line in the world.
If they are pro-choice on the abortion issue, they are accused of acquiescing to the murder of innocent children. But if they take a pro-life stance, they are criticized for wanting to limit a woman's right to choose.
If they want to raise taxes, they are called socialists and are criticized for adding to the burden of the American taxpayer. But if they want to lower them, they are accused of being friends of the rich and are said to be in the pockets of corporate America.
And so on and so on.
Of course, in retrospect, I guess we shouldn't feel too much sympathy for politicians. They chose that line of work -- no one forced it on them. They knew the constant criticism came with the territory and are apparently willing to pay that price. More power to them.
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