Other People's Money (Revisited)

Other People's Money or OPM (pronounced "opium".)

OPM: it's a drug that most politicians seem to get hooked on the moment they get voted into office.

Is you politician an OPM addict?

There are many signs that a politician may have an OPM addiction. The OPM addiction signs listed below are cues to look for when evaluating this matter. Be aware that possessing several of these signs does not always imply that there is an OPM addiction present, but if one is suspected be supportive of the politician in their road to OPM addiction recovery.

OPM addiction signs may include:

• Increase in appetite; changes in eating habits, unexplained expenditures.
• Traces of OPM in bills, briefs, or promises.
• Extreme hyperactivity; excessive talkativeness.
• Paper cuts on fingers.
• Change in overall attitude / personality with no other identifiable cause.
• Changes in friends: new hang-outs, avoidance of old crowds, new friends are OPM users.
• Change in activities; loss of interest in things that were important before.
• Changes in habits at home; loss of interest in family and family activities.
• Difficulty in telling the truth, even when the truth would serve them best.
• Lack of moral integrity, self-esteem, discipline. Displays a "What's in it for me?" attitude.
• Defensiveness, temper tantrums, resentful behavior (everything is a threat to his re-election).
• Unexplained moodiness, irritability, or nervousness when questioned on spending.
• Violent temper or bizarre behavior when presented with budget cuts.
• Paranoia -- suspiciousness.
• Excessive need for privacy; keeps door locked or closed, won't let people in.
• Secretive or suspicious behavior.
• Car accidents, fender benders, household accidents. Quits paying taxes.
• Chronic dishonesty; trouble with police; lies constantly. Makes outlandish promises.
• Unexplained need for money; can't explain where money goes; stealing.
• Unusual effort to cover his own ass at the expense of others.

If you feel that your politician is an OPM addict, the only cure is to either vote them out of office or--in the most extreme cases--outright revolution.