Politics is infuriating. As a political science major, I never gave much thought to the nefariousness of politics. Rather, I concentrated on what it could mean as opposed to what it means today. Politics is an art that is built upon social relations, power and authority. The early definition of the word was Greek and introduced by Aristotle. Then, it was about the structure, organization and administration of the city and state. It is why Greece became the first great nation. Today, it’s about obtaining a position of power and control by using intrigue and strategy. Nothing gets done because everything is about positioning.

When you look at the issues of today, you can see why this happens. How does one on the side of offshore drilling get to the side of no drilling? In Washington, it’s the promise of an appointment to the Senate Appropriations Committee if you go along. Or perhaps, you will be given an earmark for your district if you vote with the power broker. There is no conversation about the greater good. It’s all about who is wielding the bigger more powerful stick. You might argue that everything in life is about negotiation. Perhaps that’s true but if I am better negotiator than you, I am going to get my way more often than not. That doesn’t mean that I am on the right side of the issue. It means you went along because I incentivized you go along.

If you look at the issue of offshore drilling, how do we move people to the middle? I can see both sides here. Environmentalists argue that offshore drilling is a short term solution whose consequences will be felt for generations. Proponents argue that we must drill to break the back of foreign oil imports and that impact will be enjoyed by generations to come. Do we want environmental health or economic health? When you look at the boiled down issue, it may seem easier to find a solution. It’s only when we adorn the issue with power, control and authority does it look insurmountable.

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