The Portrait of Pinoy Politicians as Kleptomaniacs

The Senate investigation of the pork barrel scam has all the makings of a hit “teleserye” or reality TV show. It has elements of drama, suspense, comedy and even an alleged May-December romance. The twists and turns in the storyline result from all the mind games, blame games, delaying tactics, and diversionary schemes that throw the investigation off track. The plot of course revolves around the theme of plunder, which can also be referred to as “political kleptomania.” 

Kleptomania comes from the combination of two Greek words for “thief” and “madness.” Kleptomania is characterized by the inability of a person to resist the temptation or urge to steal. It is important though to differentiate psychiatric kleptomania from political kleptomania. Psychiatric kleptomaniacs steal objects of little value for no other purpose than the heck of it. On the other hand, political kleptomaniacs refer to those government officials and politicians who illegally acquire vast amounts of wealth for personal gain. Political kleptomaniacs are also called “kleptocrats.”

What are the psychological factors that transform some politicians into kleptomaniacs?

• Measure of success. For some politicians, the fatness of their bank accounts determines how high they’ve made it up the socio-eco-political ladder. These people acquire excessive wealth because for them, wealth equals success, power, and prestige. 
• Poverty mentality. Some politicians who come from humble backgrounds have risen up the ranks yet continue to harbor a self-perception of being poor. They become compulsive hoarders of material wealth as if they were in a constant and insatiable state of deprivation. 
• Sharing the loot. Some politicians believe that it is acceptable to steal as long as some of the loot is used for charitable or religious projects. For them, sharing a little portion of the loot has the effect of lessening their guilt. 
• Copycat thievery. Many politicians pick up the shady habits of their corrupt predecessors and colleagues. In this sense, corruption is like an inheritable illness or contagious disease.

• Self-reward for stress. Some politicians feel unfairly compensated for all the effort they pour into their work. Since they believe that the government is not paying them enough, they exaggeratedly augment their own salary by hook or by crook.  
• Banking on Pinoy compassion. Corrupt politicians may not be too fearful of being caught for their crimes because Pinoys have shown a track record of easily forgiving past political leaders who have committed plunder. 
• Supporting their networks of patronage. Some politicians engage in massive thievery in order to pay off, reward, or give incentive to the people and institutions that back them up. 
• Preparation for comfortable retirement. Some politicians amass wealth because they want to sustain an affluent lifestyle after their retirement.
• Potential of power to corrupt. A person in high office is always vulnerable to temptation. The historian John Acton put it well in stating that “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

• Narcissistic personality. Some politicians are narcissists who have an inflated view of themselves. Considering themselves to be superior and special beings, they feel that they are above the law and feel entitled to the use public funds as if it was theirs. 
• Criminal-mindedness. People with criminal tendencies are sociopaths who often con people for personal profit. Sociopaths have a calloused conscience and do not display any remorse for their offenses. 

Kleptomania is commonly treated through aversive conditioning. Aversive conditioning is nothing more than the quick application of stern but non-abusive disciplinary action immediately after the stealing is committed. In the olden days, electric shocks and other forms of physical torture were inflicted as inhumane punishments for kleptomania.

Politicians have their high office as a venue either to showcase their virtues or to cultivate their vices. For politicians who choose the latter, they need to be justly penalized and be taught these 3 basic lessons in life:  

1. that corruption is not a privilege of politicians,
2. that in the long run, crime does not pay, and 
3. that no one should ever consider himself or herself to be above the law. 

Survival Guide for the Broken-Hearted

Whether you're a guy or girl, mending a broken heart is never easy to do.  Experts say that it can take anywhere from 6 months to 8 years for you to get over the heartache from a breakup.  In fact, many clients of mine talk about their heartaches as if it was just a recent event, even if it happened many years or decades ago. 

Being broken-hearted is like plunging into a hell of deep dark emotions.  You’ll experience cyclical waves of emptiness, disbelief, disillusionment, devastation, grief, guilt, loneliness, depression, bitterness, rage, and confusion.  However, with the passage of time, the heavy emotions should slowly subside.  

In my many years of counselling one broken-hearted person after another, I've learned from them some strategies that speed up the process of emotional healing:

1. First of all, accept that it’s all over!  Like your own failed relationship, some relationships aren't meant to last. Accept the fact that your “ex” came into your life just for a reason and for a season.  But for a lifetime? Nah!
2. Grieve and don’t resurrect a dead relationship.  Not only have your plans and dreams as a couple ended, but a big chunk of your inner being has died too.  Grieving is the heart-wrenching process of putting closure to another chapter in your life.
3. Kill the hope!  As long as you keep alive a tiny spark of hope for reconciliation, you are NOT going to move on!  As long as you still harbor the fantasy or wish of getting back together, the emotional roller coaster ride is going to continue.  
4. Give up plans of revenge, and put your "evil" side to rest.  If you take revenge, you'll just be giving your “ex” more reasons to validate the breakup.  You'll come out as the bad guy and you'll certainly regret your wicked deeds later on.  Furthermore, if you take revenge, this only means one thing:  that you still haven't accepted the fact that IT'S ALL OVER!
5. No relationships on the rebound please.  If you jump into a relationship right after your breakup, it'll mean one of four things:  (1) You're doing it as a desperate attempt to make your “ex” jealous; (2) you're doing it as an attempt to escape from your loneliness; (3) you're doing it to make your “ex” think that you’re coping well; or (4) you're doing it as a premature attempt to move on.  Truth is, you only make matters worse by entering into a rebound relationship.  Finish your grieving process first and be a whole and happy person again before embarking on a new relationship.  
6. Get emotional support from family and friends.  Your breakup may have made you feel emotionally bankrupt.  Since you’re driving on empty, start guzzling down the warmth and care of people who love you.  Don't stay isolated.  Even if you don't feel like socializing, allow your family and friends to temporarily distract you from your heartache.
7. Distract yourself with activities.  When you're tired from wallowing in sadness, distract yourself by watching TV, listening to upbeat music, learning a new sport or craft, pampering yourself with massage, and so on and so forth.  Remember:  any distraction is better than none.
8. Stop stalking and spying on your “ex’s” Facebook and Twitter account. Every new detail you learn about your “ex” is only going to mess up your mind!
9. Develop a spiritual perspective.  Spirituality teaches you the great lesson that you cannot permanently hold on to anything and anyone in this life.  For some circumstances in our life, the appropriate thing to do is to simply “let go and let God."
10. And lastly, get professional help if you start hurting yourself (by self-cutting or alcohol/drug abuse), become suicidal, or feel that you're depression is worsening.  You may be suffering from major depression which can prevent you from moving on.  

Recovering from a break-up is a deathly slow but natural process.  Have faith in knowing that “time heals all wounds (or at least, most wounds).”  And when your inner wisdom senses that you've recovered enough to move on, you’ll naturally gain the strength to crawl out of your dark emotional pit and start living life all over again.