Former Missouri House speaker Rod Jetton gives advice for young politicians

With the context of a "double life" that cost him his political career, public embarrassment and criminal punishment, former House Speaker Rod Jetton, formerly of Marble Hill, Mo., gave the following response when asked what advice he'd give to young politicians in conjunction with an interview with the Southeast Missourian:

1. Make sure you stay close to good friends who knew you before you were in politics, and talk to them regularly. Making one an accountability partner would be a good idea.

2. Make sure you don't put helping other people in front of your own family.

3. Don't let the bad things your opponents say about you or do to you make you bitter and harbor grudges.

4. Constantly guard against believing all the great things people say about you. Pride can quietly creep in.

5. Be helpful and trusting, but realize that in politics there are no teams. Most everyone is using you to accomplish their goals.

6. Keep your first campaign material around and review it at least twice a year and ask yourself if you're letting your ambition or the system change you.

7. Be open minded, and willing to learn, because our system is set up to force compromise, which when done to advance your principles can be good. Be careful that you are not compromising because of self interest, or personal ambition. Many times you tell yourself it's for your principles but really it's your self interest and ambition that drive you.

8. Don't let flattery soften you to compromise your core values.

9. Fight for your values, but be respectful of others' opinions, and less judgmental. Treat others as you would want to be treated.

10. Thank the Lord for each day and ask him to give you wisdom to make good decisions. Missing one day leads to two then three and you will be busy doing good things, which can push God out of your life leading down a path and poor decisions.