Ladies, have you ever met a guy who seemed so perfect on first encounter? He had this dazzling smile, dressed impeccably and his words felt like silk and cashmere and happiness? I bet he assured you his intentions were pure, his character was of the highest caliber and maybe a couple of promises were thrown in there. I bet he made you feel like you were his highest priority and he had your best interest at heart. Pretty amazing, right? And so is he! Well, until you find out he has been doing the same act to others. You were just one of many.

Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce the effboy, FB for short. He’s a smooth talker, can convince you to do things you did not think you would do. He has you seeing the world a little different, one influenced by his wants and needs. The more time you spend with him, the more money you spend on him (of course, he will spend on you too, so you feel like what you spend on him is more like an investment), the more you feel like your life is being consumed by him. And you know this, he knows this, but you can’t let go. Despite his flaws, you feel like he is the perfect candidate for you, regardless of the others.

Is this sounding familiar yet? Is there someone you know who is using his/her charm in order to change your future, maybe even your life? They claim to be all about you, but they just want to get into your pants. More specifically, your pocket. Does any of this scream politician?

They are essentially paid swindlers. They know what they want and they use you to get it. How many of them claim to be for the people? They are constantly adamant about being making the world better for the people they are going to represent, but how often do they make good on these promises? They tell you one thing, but they are really finessing someone else. With politicians, it’s you scratch their back, and they might help you. With FBs, they blowout your back, and you get nothing else in return. Regardless if it is the FBs or politicians, you always get played. Every time.

So how do we avoid this? I’m pretty sure we are tired of getting our hearts broken (goodbye, free college) and we are tired of the lies (goodbye, free college) and we can definitely do better with someone who actually cares about us (and give us free college). We have rooted for them, stayed by their side, even when we knew they were doing us wrong. We hope that they will finally see a future for us, a real one, where we both can benefit. Deep down, we know things are going to remain the same. We are going to make excuses for your behavior, even when our friends and families say that he/she/it/whoever isn’t worth it. Why? Because we are idiots, and the heart wants what the heart wants.

Politicians mess with you. They tell you magic because they have the power to make it a reality. They can give us free college, they can enforce actual gun control, they can save Detroit, they can make America a great place. Civil liberties are what the American people want, but our sentiment and emotions are going to come in last place, since money is the real apple of the eye, and power is the seductive mistress, and ego is the side chick they cannot let go. Our good intentions are played against us, yet we knowingly fall into the trap.

While everyone is focused on the FBs and the bad politicians, there are some good guys out there who are the real deal. They are driven by passion and humility and actually care about people. Their intentions are honest, and their character follows suit. These guys are the real winners, but they often are stuck in the shadows of notoriety, and their own legacies are clouded with doubt by the American people. Good guys exist. They aren’t flashy; they are just trying to do good, one person at a time. The don’t always have to finish last; they just need more attention.