What do our politicians take us for? One minute they fight among themselves, say nasty things about each other and pull every trick in the cloak and dagger "game."

The next minute they smile, hug each other and proudly announce they have made peace. And how many times have we heard of politicians "making sacrifices" for our sake. Not theirs or their families'.

It's always because of us the rakyat. And the nation of course. Surely we can recall the instances when politicians tell us "I am not important, what's important is the party." Also the all important line: "I am here to serve the rakyat." Another popular "cry" is "Let's do this for the future of our children."

What's wrong with all that you might ask? Nothing. Except they say all that when they are there's party in fighting. In times of crisis. Or when they cross over from one party to another. Or when their party is fast losing public confidence due to the crisis which in the first place they started.

And when they say all those nice things they expect us the rakyat to believe them. Know what? We do. Most of the time. We believe what we're hearing.

Are we stupid to believe such political talk? Are we fools? No we're not. We believe what we want to believe. We see what we want to see. Confusing? I put that another way. We tend to believe what we have always hoped for. What we have always wanted. We are not fools but suckers.

Yes. We're suckers for peace, for everything nice, for ideal situation. So we believe to the extent of being idealistic. Too idealistic.

Still nothing wrong with that. We must continue to hope. To stereotype politicians is unfair. For there are such thing as "honest politicians." The numbers I am not sure. In fact I don't know how many honest politicians around.

Perhaps there are not many of them. Still I believe there are sincere folks. They too believe what they want to believe. And they believe they can make a difference. It's up to us to see who they are. Look and you will find. We've been told that many times before. So we look and find. And continue to search. We chose who to believe. Who not to trust. That's our right.

The reason for all this blabbering was a conversation I recently had with a friend. This friend of mine did not mince words to say he had lost confidence in all politicians. From both sides of the political divide. To him all politicians cannot be trusted. "They are all the same. Fighting for their own interest. Not us," said this friend pointing to the infighting and crisis in the various political parties.

All the politicking he said simply make "me puke." "They are just playing politics," he went on to say.

But that's what politicians do. Play politics. You don't expect them to play football. I told him. My friend was not amused. So I stopped further "loyar buruk comments" lest he turned his anger at me. But I understand his frustration. And I share his sentiment most of the time. Not all. I agree with him most of the time. Again not all time. I am sure many are feeling the same feeling my friend is feeling. But I am sure many share my views as well.

But one thing is for sure. There are not many fools among us rakyat. But the suckers are fast diminishing. Their numbers are getting smaller and smaller as time goes by. Politicians had better take note. Beware. (By MOHSIN ABDULLAH/MySinchew)