Politicians should come back down to earth.

Watching the people rolling in to hear Ol' JZ give the State of the Nation speech last week made me think back to one of my pet hates -politicians.

The first thing you notice are the million rand cars that deliver the so called VIP guests, all dressed in fashion that probably costs thousands of Rand. It was almost like watching the Oscars, just with more glitz and glamour. It is no secret that the food that is served at their get togethers rivals that of royalty and the booze they consume is nothing other than ridiculously expensive.

As it always does, it set me to thinking why politicians had to live such a high life. In a democratic country, we vote in a party and they pretty much work for us to run the country. These people are paid by us from our taxes. In essence, they work for us, to make our lives better. Or rather they are supposed to.

Why do they assume and act as though they are so important and that they deserve the 5 star treatment including VIP protection? Is there an assassin out to wipe them all out or is it just that it makes them feel untouchable when they have a legion of body guards? Sadly this is not limited to South Africa, or Africa, but is a worldwide phenomenon.
Look at the States, where senators and congressmen fly above the average Joe, expecting the red carpet treatment and unreachable unless it is election time.

In my most humble view this is rubbish! We as the public have allowed this behaviour to continue for so long, it is now not only accepted, but expected, of our so called leaders.

Firstly, to be a politician, it is a choice. Nobody is there by accident. Secondly, in my opinion, one should go into politics to help the nation and it's citizens. You should not go into it as a get rich scheme or for the power of the position. Sadly it would appear that this is what it is about.
If we look at our leaders, they pull massive salaries, live in palatial houses, are driven in luxury cars, followed by a train of other cars, full of VIP protection guards, fly the best classes, stay at the best hotels and so on. Unless it is voting season, trying to secure an audience with one is another story.

How wrong is this? I repeat- they work for us and should be answerable to us. Us, as the employer, should not allow them to waste out tax money on so much self indulgence when there is so much unemployment and poverty. I am sure they could live comfortable in a 5 bedroom house, drive a R500 000 car, fly pleb class around the country, stay in 3 star hotels and so on. Why do they honestly deserve to be treated like gold?
Half, if not more, do not even do all they are paid to do anyway. We need to accept that they are humans, like the rest of us and nothing really special. They do not deserve the platinum treatment they are receiving. The money they waste, could be much better spend in helping our country build and assisting the poor. They should be humbled by the fact that they are working for us. They should be grateful that they have an opportunity to make a difference.
Instead they live on a pedestal, out of touch with the reality that they are not as special as they want to think.
We as the public should make our stand.