A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, but he who hates covetousness will prolong his days. If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked. A statesman is a politician who's been dead 10 or 15 years. Campaign promises There are some politicians who, if their constituents were cannibals, would promise them missionaries in every pot. Politics is the gentle art of getting votes from the poor and campaign funds from the rich, by promising to protect each from the other.
Politicians are the same all over.
They promise to build a bridge even where there is no river. Any party which takes credit for the rain must not be surprised if its opponents blame it for the drought. Republicans raise dahlias, Dalmatians, and eyebrows. Democrats raise Airedales, kids, and taxes. As usual the Liberals offer a mixture of sound and original ideas.