When do we talk Politics?

What does it mean to "talk politics?" Generally we think politics and we call to mind pictures of presidents, elections, laws, and parties. I believe that there is more to politics, that perhaps much more is political then we are lead to believe.

A traditional definition of politics courtesy of the new oxford dictionary is, "the activities associated with the governance of a country or other area, especially, the debate or conflict among individuals or parties having or hoping to achieve power "

David Schuman defines politics as: "what will I breathe, how will I make a living, and who will I sleep with."  By this definition politics is not just about elections, it is everything action and inaction we take. Politics is more than just elections and running for office, but is your daily life, and thus everything you do is political.

The definition I tend to side with is that of Schuman, that everything you do is an act of politics. That the very act of someone saying, "I hate politics," or "I'm politically apathetic," they are in fact being very political. This in effect may make them more "political" than a democrat or republican as they are professing their discontent with something in the system even if unaware of it.

I believe there is no escaping politics. That every action or statement you make, is political in some way, not in the sense of elections, but in daily life. The desire to get ahead to do better, manifests itself in your actions or inaction's which are themselves political motives.

Politics is not something that comes around once every four years.  Politics, is what you believe in, and what people make you out to be. It is their perception of you that makes your political views and social status what it is. Politics as Schuman said is everything. It is not something you can ignore, because in ignoring it you are being political. A catch 22 it seems indeed, as seemingly every action one makes is for political motives.

So back to the question, when do we talk politics? The answer is not often enough, however the question when do we act politically is always whether we want to or not,