The Worst Part of Politics: Betrayal and Broken Promises

 

Politics, at its core, is supposed to be about service. 

It’s supposed to be about leadership, vision, and sacrifice, a calling to uplift communities, defend justice, and shape a better future. 

But too often, that noble ideal is replaced with something far more cynical, betrayal.

We’ve all seen it, during election season, politicians suddenly become one with the people. 

They show up in neighborhoods they’d otherwise ignore. 

They hug babies, laugh with elders, pose for selfies, and attend every community cookout and church service they can squeeze into their calendars. 

They become masters of charisma,  shaking hands with one breath, making promises with the next.

“I’ll fight for you.”

“I understand your struggles.”

“We’re in this together.”

But fast forward a few months after they’re elected, and those same faces disappear. 

The smiles vanish, the phone lines go quiet, the promises, Forgotten. 

The policies they championed during campaigns are watered down, delayed, or discarded altogether. 

What was once a genuine-sounding pledge becomes exposed as a rehearsed performance, carefully scripted to win votes,  not to build real change.

For some, politics isn’t public service, it’s a stepping stone, a career boost, a path to power, privilege, and a payday. 

The trust of the people becomes currency and once spent, it’s rarely repaid.

And perhaps the deepest wound is this: it’s not just policy betrayal, It’s an emotional betrayal. 

The people who opened their homes gave their trust and believed in someone’s words are left feeling used,  like background props in a political theater.

This isn’t a blanket condemnation of all politicians, some genuinely care, and keep showing up after the cameras are gone. 

But let’s not pretend this broken system isn’t real, let’s not pretend we haven’t seen the masks fall off too many times.

It’s time for a new kind of leadership, one rooted in integrity, consistency, and truth.

Not just handshakes during campaigns, but hands-on service throughout the journey.

Not just smiling on stages, but standing with the people, especially when it’s hard, when it’s inconvenient, when it’s not politically advantageous.

Because politics shouldn’t be about performing for votes, it should be about showing up for people.

And until that becomes the standard, not the exception, betrayal will remain the ugliest part of politics.