Politicians and lying

[MissCatholic]

I have just found out that two of my fathers friends are to lose thier jobs.

They have voted Republican all thier lives but they were in doubt in the last election. I told my Dad that if Bush has said that he wont close the base then he does what he says. You can disagree with the president but he says what he means.

NOW I FEEL LIKE A COMPLETE IDIOT.

Thune ran on keeping the air base open. Bush said on nov 1st (please dont make me get the quote out on his victory tour of Iowa) I have bitten my tongue in hope that Bush or Thune could do something. Yet they arent doing nothing. Thune is going to vote against Bolton -- WELL WHOOPIE DOOO!!!!!!!

that does nothing for my fathers friends!!!!!!! who were going to vote for Daschle.

My heart in politics is being seriously tested. why would they do such a thing. Harry Reid as majority leader has helped nevada gain 1000 jobs. we lose Daschle and i wasnt too concerned as thune and bush said that the base wouldn't be closed BEFORE every fool voted.

shame on them

[Palefire]

Bending the publics perception of them, to better serve them, is what politicians do for the most part. I'm sorry that such lies are now effecting you; but it's a very old story. I don't believe that problem can be addressed in any kind of meaningful way with out making some radical changes to the rules under which politicians operate.

[MissCatholic]

did bush lie to south dakotans?

[MasterJedi]

When they have to, they don't always lie.

[Palefire]

did bush lie to south dakotans?

I think Bush has fallen short of the truth with a lot more people than just south dakotans. I'm not familiar with Bush's statement that you reference, so I've got to hold off on that front until such time as I am.

[David S]

How to tell if a politician is lying; His mouth is moving.

I don't know anything about the base in your state but I would ask one question; If the military does not need the base is it right to keep it open at taxpayer expense just to maintain the jobs for the people working there?

[Palefire]

How to tell if a politician is lying; His mouth is moving.

I don't know anything about the base in your state but I would ask one question; If the military does not need the base is it right to keep it open at taxpayer expense just to maintain the jobs for the people working there?

I have to agree with your last point, but I'm not so sure it runs counter to MissCathlolics point. If Thune sold himself to the voters as the guy that would save the base (which is something the south dakota voters did and still do want to do), and the base gets closed on his watch, I would have to think that those voters would feel suckered. Which, of course, will be the case if the base closes. Did Thune lie, or is he just not being effective at doing something he wished to do? I don't know. The good news for Thune is that he doesn't face re-election again for quite some time, and I doubt that the south dakota voters will hold on their anger for the next 5 years. Which is most likely one of the reasons that base was picked for closing.

[Alcon]

Some do, some don't.

But why do we fault politicians so much for it? I think it is, to an extent, our own compensation. The average person, I recall, lies upwards of 30 times per day.

[WilliamSeward]

Some do, some don't.

But why do we fault politicians so much for it? I think it is, to an extent, our own compensation. The average person, I recall, lies upwards of 30 times per day.

Exactly. And even if they didn't lie directly, the still use hundreds of tricks to try and exaggerate or otherwise misrepresent themselves and their opponents. It is virtually imperative in order to win. Deception is deception, one way or another.

[Palefire]

Some do, some don't.

But why do we fault politicians so much for it? I think it is, to an extent, our own compensation. The average person, I recall, lies upwards of 30 times per day.

Because their lies have more of an impact on our lives than some kid telling a line to a girl he wants to bed. It remains my hope that we the people will raise our standards a bit higher than "eh, it's OK to be dishonest".

[2952-0-0]

There are lies, damn lies, and statistics.

[??????????]

Politicians who always completely tell the honest truth never get elected, ever.

[A18]

I have just found out that two of my fathers friends are to lose thier jobs.

Great news!

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

I have just found out that two of my fathers friends are to lose thier jobs.

Great news!

Typical "compassionate conservative".

[Palefire]

I have just found out that two of my fathers friends are to lose thier jobs.

Great news!

Typical "compassionate conservative".

Maybe taking joy in the suffering of others is just a Right Wing Christian ideal. It sure seems that way some times.

[dazzleman]

How to tell if a politician is lying; His mouth is moving.

I don't know anything about the base in your state but I would ask one question; If the military does not need the base is it right to keep it open at taxpayer expense just to maintain the jobs for the people working there?

That's the correct question, but somehow I don't see MissCatholic answering it.

[??????????]

Typical "compassionate conservative".

Maybe taking joy in the suffering of others is just a Right Wing Christian ideal.

He's never claimed to be "compassionate" or "Christian". So you two are wrong on both counts. If I remember correctly he has said, "I'm an uncomapssionate conservative". lol

[Palefire]

I think that Jfern's point, but you would have to ask jfern to be sure, is that the brand of uncompassionate conservatism on display here is actually fairly typical from those claiming to be compassionate - thus the use of the word 'typical'. That is at lest the way I took it.

[A18]

I'm not compassionate with other people's money, hence I consider myself an uncompassionate conservative.

I am a Christian, but I share Ben Franklin's view of the poor.

[The Duke]

Many "lies" they tell are not lies when told.

"Read my lips, no new taxes!" is a good one from H-Dub.  I can't imagine he wanted to raise taxes when he said that, yet he ended up doing exactly that.  Sometimes circumstances trump promises, and people had ought to be somewhat understanding of that.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Voters lie to politicians more than politicians lie to voters

[The Dowager Mod]

Every single one of them.
(except maybe Carter.)

[A18]

Voters lie to politicians more than politicians lie to voters

Er, how?

[The Duke]

Voters lie to politicians more than politicians lie to voters

Er, how?

People always say they want the truth.  They most certainly want no such thing.  Almost all politicians who tell the unvarnished truth loes, as it is unpleasant to hear that higher taxes are in order, that welfare must be cut, that war is necessary, that sacrifice is important, etc.  No one wants to hear that, but they lie and say they want the truth.  What they really want to be told is fairy tales, so politicians give them fairy tales of how all will be well, and all you will be asked to do is cast a vote for so and so.

[Palefire]

Actually, I think people are looking for hope, not lies. They find a little false hope in believing the lies - but the lies are not what they want. They want the lies to be truth. But when the other guy is selling a load of BS to those that are buying false hope, it does make it hard. Such is the system we live in. If the voters asked for more than false hope, they would get it - but that isn't the case right now.