Politicians

[Democratic Hawk]

.... which would you choose?

Dave

[Alcon]

The latter. I want to trust my government, and really know what it is doing so I can make educated decisions about it.

[Gabu]

I would prefer my government trustworthy and to do nothing than to be untrustworthy and to do something.

[Citizen James]

So, kinda like Clinton vs Carter?  Of course that analogy might make the voting dynamic very different.

[Hitchabrut]

Option 1 on a state level, 2 on a federal level.

[A18]

Depends how much I like the status quo. Right now, I'll go with the dishonest politician, but this is just a hypothetical, because obviously someone doesn't have to be dishonest to be effective.

[Jake]

Normal Politician (Dishonest)/Abnormal Politician (Effective)

[Cowboy]

Howdy!

Option 2. Keep the bastards honest!

(sorry if that language aint allowed here...)

[Cashcow]

Howdy!

Option 2. Keep the bastards honest!

(sorry if that language aint allowed here...)

It's allowed, as long as Alcon is having a good day.

Welcome to the boards! Where in Wyoming do you live? I've been all over that area; it's really a wonderful state.

On topic: I agree with you. Effective politicians are only admirable in a state of serious partisanship. Most politicians are dishonest bastards anyway, so when you come across a truly honest one, you've got a real gem on your hands.

[Cowboy]

Howdy!

Howdy!

Option 2. Keep the bastards honest!

(sorry if that language aint allowed here...)

It's allowed, as long as Alcon is having a good day.

Welcome to the boards! Where in Wyoming do you live? I've been all over that area; it's really a wonderful state.

On topic: I agree with you. Effective politicians are only admirable in a state of serious partisanship. Most politicians are dishonest bastards anyway, so when you come across a truly honest one, you've got a real gem on your hands.

Thanks for the kind welcome. I live in Wilson, Wyoming.

[Rob]

Thanks for the kind welcome. I live in Wilson, Wyoming.

One of the few Democrat-friendly places in Wyoming. I would also like to say welcome to the forum .

[Cashcow]

I have friends there! I've spent loads of time in Jackson. What a great place to live...

[Ebowed]

Option 2.  If the government is effective, but dishonest, then it's obviously being effective in its best interest, not in the interest of the common people.  An ineffective, but honest, government causes less harm.

[muon2]

Normal Politician (Dishonest)/Abnormal Politician (Effective)

This seems a bit stereotypical. Most politicians are trying to represent large constituencies. To be fair they will not always cater to one segment. If this is construed as dishonest or ineffective, then I would contend that one is taking a narrow view of just one constituency.

That said, there are politicians who are more than happy to say whatever they think the listener wants to hear, then move on to an opposit point without thinking. And there are some who mean well but never get the workings of the political system and remain ineffective. In my experience the first group is in the minority at all levels. The second group shrinks in proportion as one looks at higher offices.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

II'll take Carter over Bush any day.

[Jake]

Normal Politician (Dishonest)/Abnormal Politician (Effective)

This seems a bit stereotypical. Most politicians are trying to represent large constituencies. To be fair they will not always cater to one segment. If this is construed as dishonest or ineffective, then I would contend that one is taking a narrow view of just one constituency.

That said, there are politicians who are more than happy to say whatever they think the listener wants to hear, then move on to an opposit point without thinking. And there are some who mean well but never get the workings of the political system and remain ineffective. In my experience the first group is in the minority at all levels. The second group shrinks in proportion as one looks at higher offices.

Just poking some fun

[muon2]

Normal Politician (Dishonest)/Abnormal Politician (Effective)

This seems a bit stereotypical. Most politicians are trying to represent large constituencies. To be fair they will not always cater to one segment. If this is construed as dishonest or ineffective, then I would contend that one is taking a narrow view of just one constituency.

That said, there are politicians who are more than happy to say whatever they think the listener wants to hear, then move on to an opposit point without thinking. And there are some who mean well but never get the workings of the political system and remain ineffective. In my experience the first group is in the minority at all levels. The second group shrinks in proportion as one looks at higher offices.

Just poking some fun

Unfortunately too many others buy into the stereotype. It's understandable when we only hear about the occasional bad apple, but never the context of all the hard work around us every day.

[MaC]

I say option 2, but isn't "honest politician" an oxymoron?

[John Dibble]

How dishonest are we talking with Option 1? Are we talking about 'lying about a bj' dishonest, or 'sending tax money to a private slush fund' dishonest?

Someone who's dishonest about their personal life I could stand, but someone who's dishonest by doing dirty dealings I could not.

[muon2]

I say option 2, but isn't "honest politician" an oxymoron?

What do you mean by honest? I find that the great majority of politicians do what they say will. Very few get caught up in contradictions repeatedly and then get reelected.

Have you asked questions of a politician and then found them to do other than their answer? You can't count a non-answer as dishonesty, IMO.

[Lunar]

I'm a bit confused about what 'dishonest' refers to, and that really impacts on how I vote.  So I'm going to join those the ranks of those annoying folks who complain about the particulars of the poll

Dishonest as in breaking campaign promises?
Dishonest as as a political tool behind the scenes?  To the public too?
Dishonest as in lying about our secret army in Luxembourg and the nuclear missiles in Chad?
Dishonest about sexual relations?
Dishonest as in transfering the entirety of the GDP to his/her Swiss bank account?