back in the day

I worked in politics.

It was an odd choice of career

but I loved it

until it exhausted me

which is why you find

endlessly energetic boys and

older women who know how to say NO

work for MPs and political parties.

I was the odd one out.

Being neither a boy nor an older woman.

When I started out working for the ACT party

I was probably a young classic liberal

by the time I left five years later,

I'd rushed through being a Libertarian

on my way to being an anarchist.

Being close to politics tends to make you a tad extreme.

Many people are suspicious of politics

which is silly really cause politics is all around us,

a bit like love.

Quite rightly, most people are suspicious of the politicians themselves.

You'd be surprised at the camaraderie politicians have with each other,

across the House mostly.

I mean it's edged with a healthy dose of cynicism

but it's based in the respect of the job,

cause being a politician is a job, not a calling.

Actually it's not that common

cause politics is a game and it's all about playing it.

I've learned to be slightly suspicious of people

who really, really want to Members of Parliament.

They'll either do what they have to to get there

or be there for the 'people' and get eaten alive before they know it.

And of course the multitudes of grey in between.

They are only human

and as humans we all have the best of motivations

in doing what we do.

That's another grey area the 'best' bit.

Best for who? for what? for when?

Anyway lately I've been missed the

passionate cut and thrust of politics.

Oh maybe I'm just missing being passionate about something.

Checking over your shoulder for knifes is seldom fun.

Lobbing them is a little bit funner.

Maybe I need a good, old fashioned barney.

Or a holiday.

P.S. ACT is not the party it was nor has it been for a very long time but New Zealand needs another conservative party - like a hole in the head.