Like a business investing heavily in R&D as well as quarterly profits.
Like a farmer planting seed; like a squirrel saving nuts for winter; like parents saving for children’s college tuition or a rainy day (all missing short term aspect though).
Perhaps the best analogy is to compare X politician with Y person who is known for doing well at it (or not).
U.S. Senator John Conness of California drafted and submitted a bill to Congress for the first ever territory set aside by Congress for public use and preservation – Yosemite. Now there is some long-term thinking for you.