By T. Coreentje Phipps-Benjamin
 
The Webster's II New College dictionary defines a politician as the following:
 
1)  One who is actively involved in politics, especially party politics;  
1b) One who holds or seeks political office;
2)  One who seeks personal or partisan gain, often by crafty or dishonest means; and
3) One who is skilled or experienced in the science of administration of government.
 
Definition number 2 defies the concept that being a politician revolves around an ingrained ideal that encourages service to others first.

Interestingly, in the Kittitian and Nevisian political realm, politicians are lauded as the pioneers of the motto Country Above Self, and as shepherds of our nation. They are expected to serve the nation's citizens who ultimately desire a better life for themselves, their children and for generations to come. Rarely is a prospective candidate expected to take up the mantle of leadership because of his passion to use public office to “advance his personal agenda”.
 
Trace the history of politicians in our Federation and one may find conspicuous similarities in their personalities including a deeply entrenched interest in helping people and serving their communities. Men and women who declare their enthusiasm for serving others are often the prototype of public office, as they tend to outshine their less "people friendly", many a times, reticent counterparts. Politicians are not necessarily a boisterous lot who are swift with their tongues. In fact, some of the brightest and savviest politicians have a penchant for laying back, listening, and making waves at the appropriate time. Ultimately, the vast majority of politicians seek to offer their service to others while service of self is a mere afterthought. If in accordance with Webster’s definition of the politician “partisan gain and dishonesty” become the maxim of the politician once he assumes office, who will seek recourse for the dissatisfied electorate?
 
Prior to assuming public office, the notion that a politician can and will move mountains for the electorate enamors the constituent. From the moment the candidate declares a clear and unwavering interest in seeking public office, the grueling political sojourn begins. It is this declaration to serve others that either makes or breaks the public servant as he or she drums up public support for the policies on which their party stands. We marvel most at the transformation of the candidate we support. Imagine a regular street boy who pitched marbles with his friends, played video games, or tended his parents’ animals, catapulted to the highest office of the land, prioritising the concerns of his constituents with a view to make the country a better place? Likewise, we relish the story of a typical little girl who once played with her dolls, ran errands for her parents, or was once a member of her Sunday school choir, gracing the walls of parliament intent upon positively impacting the lives of others. These are the individuals to whom we turn to lead us into a future filled with promise for our lives, the lives of our children and the well being of our Federation.
 
If, per the Webster's definition, politicians prioritise party politics over the well being of their constituents, who should hold politicians accountable for the wrong they do or the wrong that occurs under their watch? If we dissect the Webster's dictionary definition of a politician, should we expect him/her NOT to be crafty and dishonest, seeking to advance only their personal agenda and not that of the people they vow to serve? So long as the onus is on citizens to decide what political improprieties are unacceptable, they too bear the responsibility to respectfully communicate their views to their political representative. Citizens have an opportunity to do so through the power of the ballot. 
 
In our political system, we are called upon every five years to determine the best slate of men and women to speak for us on a national, regional, and international scale. We decide who best fits the role and who can rise to the challenge of leadership. We exercise our political franchise based on various principles including tradition, policies, and even likeability. We determine if destructive political leanings and dishonesty captivate us as constituents or if we prefer our representatives shun this approach to a political career by genuinely embracing the concept of “Others First” and our Federation’s motto of “Country above Self”.
 
Despite the numerous challenges he has inherited and will likely encounter as the 44th President of the United States of America, the Hawaiian-born descendant of African slaves, Barack Obama has set a new precedence for America and the world. In so doing, he has reshaped our expectations of our politicians. Webster's abbreviated definition of a politician can well become "President Barack Hussein Obama, January 20, 2009". Indeed, he is by no means a perfect man, yet he earnestly seeks perfection in his undertakings, with a belief that real change demands the inclusion of all people. An intrinsic part of his vision of change is the concept of team and community, not "me," “my family” or "my friends". He has set the bar exceptionally high, but he embraces the belief that what he aspires to accomplish is attainable by all human beings. Does he seek personal or partisan gain, by crafty or dishonest means?
 
John F. Kennedy was a politician as much as he was the 35th President of the United States. Yet he sought to sow the seeds of community service and extolled the value of human life by condemning the destruction of one race to advance the cause of another. It was Martin Luther King's religious beliefs that propelled him to the national and world stage of religion, politics, and civil rights. The world, with all its faults, changed for the better because of King's passion to help others. His legacy was to secure progress in civil rights in the United States of America.  Was he solely seeking personal gain and were his intentions dishonest?
 
As the citizens of the Federation of St. Kitts-Nevis sit on the brink of yet another election, it is the electorate who are the real “game changers” of our dynamic political system. We bear real power through our right to exercise our franchise. Politicians on every side of the aisle need us, the people, to gain access to the walls of our parliament armed with a willingness to tend the needs of the people, all the while advancing the good name of the Federation at home and abroad. Never underestimate the power of the electorate to usher a new age of what the face of our politicians should represent. If within the last four years we have not done so, now is an opportune time to define what we deem our politicians should be to us, to our communities, and to our Federation as a whole.
 
Despite Webster’s definition of a politician, what constitutes our definition of the ideal politician, and what qualities should our leaders possess to carry us into 2009 and beyond?
 
Let the decision making begin!