Politics: A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage.

Conservative, n: A statesman who is enamored of existing evils, as distinguished from the Liberal who wishes to replace them with others.

Alliance - in international politics, the union of two thieves who have their hands so deeply inserted in each other's pockets that they cannot separately plunder a third.

Revolution, n. In politics, an abrupt change in the form of misgovernment.

Consul - in American politics, a person who having failed to secure an office from the people is given one by the Administration on condition that he leave the country.