Voting is Not a Marriage, It’s a Business Transaction:Why We Need to Ditch Political Idol Worship

Alright babe, let’s get one thing straight—politicians are not your soulmate. This is not a ride-or-die, Bonnie and Clyde, ‘til death do us part situation. This is a business deal. A contract. A "you work for me, not the other way around" kind of setup. And yet, some people out here are acting like they need to stan their favorite politician harder than a pop star on a world tour. (Bestie, please.)

Voting is not about pledging eternal devotion to someone who promises us the world in an election year and then ghosts us once they’re in office. It’s about hiring the best person for the job right now—and being fully prepared to replace them when they stop delivering. So let’s talk about how we stop treating politicians like celebrities and start treating them like the public servants they actually are.

1. Stop Acting Like Politicians Are Your Faves

We’ve seen it a million times—politicians who build a die-hard fan base that will defend them no matter what they do. The girlies will be out here making merch, starting Twitter wars, and acting like their fave could do no wrong. (It’s giving delusion.)

But here’s the thing:

• When we treat politicians like our personal heroes, we stop holding them accountable.

• We focus on vibes over policies.

• We spend more time defending their image than making sure they’re doing their job.

And babe, that’s exactly what they want. If they can keep us emotionally invested in them, we won’t focus on what they’re actually doing. We’ll just keep cheering like it’s a sold-out stadium tour, even when they start lip-syncing.

2. No One is Above Criticism—Not Even Your Political Crush

I don’t care how much you love a politician—they are not above criticism. And honestly? The ones who are doing good work will welcome being held accountable because they actually care about the job they’re doing.

• Holding politicians accountable isn’t betrayal—it’s basic quality control.

• You can support someone and still demand better from them. (Think of it as constructive feedback, but for democracy.)

• If a leader refuses to answer tough questions, that’s a red flag.

You wouldn’t tip your DoorDash driver if they forgot half your order. So why would you keep giving politicians your support when they aren’t delivering?

3. You Can’t Just Vote and Ghost—Being an Engaged Voter 101

If you’re only thinking about politics every four years, bestie, we have a problem. Government is not a set-it-and-forget-it situation. It’s more like skincare—if you ignore it for too long, things get real bad real fast.

• Stay informed: Don’t just listen to what politicians say—watch what they do.

• Show up: Town halls, city meetings, public forums—these are all places where decisions get made before they hit the headlines.

• Make noise: Email your reps. Call them. Show up at their office if you have to. You are the boss, and they need to know you’re watching.

• Support local activism: Change happens way faster at the community level. If you want results, start there.

We need to treat politics like maintaining a house. You wouldn’t just buy the house (aka vote) and then ignore it for four years, hoping everything works out. You check for leaks, fix what’s broken, and make sure everything’s running smoothly. Same energy, babe.

4. Local Elections = Where the Real Tea is Spilled

People get so caught up in presidential elections, but let’s be real—the mayor, the school board, your state reps? Those are the ones making the everyday decisions that impact your life right now.

• Your mayor decides on policing policies and local infrastructure.

• Your school board affects what kids are taught.

• Your city council decides how local budgets are spent.

• State legislators shape laws that often impact you more than federal ones.

Girl, the president is cute and all, but your governor is the one who can literally decide if your reproductive rights, education, and wages stay intact. Act accordingly.

The Bottom Line? Vote Smart, Not Like a Fangirl

At the end of the day, politicians are here to work for us. It’s not our job to defend them—it’s their job to earn our trust. So let’s start treating our votes like what they really are: contracts. If someone isn’t getting the job done? Next!

Call to Action:

Here’s your homework, babe—look up your local representatives right now. Find one issue they’ve taken a stand on and ask yourself: Are they working for me, or are they just working for themselves?

Because this isn’t a friendship bracelet exchange, and we’re not here to fangirl. We’re here to lead.

xoxo,

Amanda Dare