Es ist immer gut, mal wieder in alten Bücher zu lesen:
POLITICIAN, n. An eel in the fundamental mud upon which the superstructure of organized society is reared. When we wriggles he mistakes the agitation of his tail for the trembling of the edifice. As compared with the statesman, he suffers the disadvantage of being alive.
POLITICS, n. A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage.
Mehr aus „des Teufels Wörterbuch“ von Ambrose Bierce hier, einige seiner dokumentarischen Kurzgeschichten über den amerikanischen Bürgerkrieg, besonders empfehle ich Chickamauga (erinnert mich daran, endlich mal den Simplicissimus in der vollständigen Version zu lesen).