The physics of politics

Politics is like physics in that generally, for every action, there is an opposite and equal reaction.
And somtimes, actions and reactions escalate so that each action pushes the opposite side to react slightly harsher in something that eventually become a blood feud -- one slight leading the other side to get even so that in the end people on both sides forget just exactly who started what and have equal claim that the other side is vicious.
Politics is not a gentleman's or gentlewoman's game -- it is a blood sport.
Although touted as the peaceful means of controlling power, it is as psychologically violent as open warfare.
So called reformers rarely understand this when they seek to curb abuse of power.
Half the reason people are in politics is to abuse it, collect contracts, jobs, or special privileges other people don't enjoy. When you get in the way of that aim, you are asking for trouble.