Having the Numbers

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I'm sure that at one time or another most of you have watched "Survivor." If not, the jist of the show is that a group of people compete against one another in various ways to avoid elimination, which is determined by a vote of their peers.

At first thought, one might say that the winner would come from the person that did the completions the best. But, we all have learned that is not true. The winner comes from the player that has obtained the "Numbers." That is carrying the vote of their peers.

So, to get the numbers, contestants need to win the vote of their peers, and most will do just about anything to do it. They do it by deception, sex or flirtation, making promises they know they will never keep, lying, cheating, or stealing. Whatever it takes to get the numbers, and ultimately get what they wanted. See a parody?

So, such is with most any leader. Few actually earn their way into the position. Most will do anything, promise anything, lie, cheat, steal, or use sex and scandals to get the numbers, which gets them there. And, once they are their they will do most anything to keep their position.

While one can see these tactics used in many different ways, from rising through the ranks at work, to being the captain of a sports team, it is politics that bothers me the most.

And, that is precisely what Halfblack Mac did. He fooled, lied, cheated, or somehow convinced most of you to vote for him. Trouble is, what now?

As with most who come to power in this fashion, they have ways to retain it. And, as they feel the pressure when their followers begin to fade, they employ ever increasing methods of oppression and keep their position. From the Biblical times to more recent examples like Castro, Hitler, Chavez, Hussein, the Iranian, North Korean, Russian, and Chinese leaders, they have all done it the same way.

Halfblack Mac is building the walls, surrounding himself with those that will serve him, and building his defense when the days come that most of you wake up. But, will it be too late by then?
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