Is it possible for a politican to tell the truth?

SSG Warren Swan — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 11:05:32 -0500

When listening to the candidates talk about accomplishments and their desires when they get into the White House, they're being fact checked as they say these things and often times party immaterial, they're either not telling the truth at all, partial truths, or spinning the truth to fit a demographic. Is being honest a lost art? If so, how as a country can we change that?

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2016 11:11 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 11:11:57 -0500

Well ... at least Sanders is pretty honest :).

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Feb 10 at 2016 11:13 AM

SSG Audwin Scott — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 11:13:52 -0500

I don't think they know the definition of truth!

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Feb 10 at 2016 11:48 AM

CPT Jack Durish — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 11:48:42 -0500

I could be cynical and ask: Has anyone in modern times ever told the truth and been elected? Actually, the answer is "Yes". Most candidates tell the "truth". They speak to a narrative that they hope is popular with most voters. Given the extensive Gerrymandering of election districts throughout the nation, it's pretty easy to select the correct one. Once elected, the incumbency syndrome takes over and they are reelected with regularity. No need to tell lies, ever.

Focusing on the candidates is a waste of time. The real problem that we need to discuss and correct is with We the People. We are simply terrible when it comes to casting our ballots and We get the government that we deserve. To be perfectly fair, I believe that most people have the government that they deserve. Even those poor bastards in North Korea or anywhere in the Middle East have the governments that they deserve. I feel that my belief is defensible by logical application of the sentiments expressed in the Declaration of Independence: "...That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness..."

How can you argue with that?

If our government is lying to us we need to exercise our right to "...alter or abolish it, and to institute a new Government..." Actually, it's as easy as falling off a log. We can accomplish it without firing a single shot. Every two years we can "...institute a new Government..." Sadly, We the People don't.

So if our politicians actually are lying to us, it must be because We want them to lie to us.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Feb 10 at 2016 12:07 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 12:07:28 -0500

Sure. The issue is that Truth is Subjective (as opposed to Facts which are Objective), and you "tailor your message" for a specific crowd.

I can say things like the "Women earn 78% of what men earn." Believe it or not that is a "True" statement. It is not a "Factual" statement however, unless you use some very creative math, or LOTS of caveats.

We tend to accept "Truths" over "Facts" is really the problem. Give me facts any day. Let me come up with my own truths.

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2016 12:19 PM

A1C Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 12:19:09 -0500

I think some are honest when they are elected, but the system changes them and either they play ball or they are gone in the next election cycle. Sad, but true. The rat is in the cheese.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Feb 10 at 2016 12:41 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 12:41:49 -0500

It is Possible but it is interesting now that several newspapers and news organization have folks that do nothing but Fact Check these folks and how they are outed almost immediately when they do lie. Unfortunately it doesn't phase most of them at all, they continue that lie because they know it appeals to their base but I guess that is the nature of the Beast.

Response by PO3 David Fries made Feb 10 at 2016 12:48 PM

PO3 David Fries — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 12:48:19 -0500

Just no.

Response by SFC Justin Scott made Feb 10 at 2016 1:24 PM

SFC Justin Scott — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 13:24:50 -0500

None of the response options fit for me. I think the answer is yes and no. Politicians tell the version of the truth they believe voters want to hear. When it comes to politics in particular, the truth is relative. At the end of the day, it's important for voters to do research and truly understand the candidates before voting. A great website to use for research is http://www.ontheissues.org It's fairly non-partisan and simply tells you the voting record (with cited sources) as well as what their platform is (with cited sources).

OnTheIssues.org - Candidates on the Issues

Tired of media reports of fundraising and poll results instead of policy issues? At Issues2000.org, you can see the view of every candidates on every issue.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Feb 10 at 2016 1:48 PM

SCPO David Lockwood — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 13:48:47 -0500

If he did he wouldn't get what he wants.