Should politicians face administrative type punishments for lying to the public?

2018-03-24T11:38:04-04:00

Politicians on all sides have a long history of lying or covering up the truth to the public. It's a crime to lie to Congress, should it also be a crime for politicians to lie to us, the people who voted them into office? And if so, what should the punishment be?

In this day in age it has begun to be increasingly difficult to tell what is the truth and what is the lie. Between politicians fighting the media and them pushing back, and both sides crying foul on the other. Who do we trust? And is there a way for us fight back other than at the polls?

Response by MSG Stan Hutchison made Mar 24 at 2018 12:39 PM

2018-03-24T12:39:08-04:00

I do not think most politicians "lie" deliberately. I think they are just masters of spinning the facts to meet their agenda. I guess to accurately address this, we would have to have some examples.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 24 at 2018 12:55 PM

2018-03-24T12:55:53-04:00

Yes. Of course

Response by PVT Mark Brown made Mar 24 at 2018 12:57 PM

2018-03-24T12:57:27-04:00

That idea had not occurred to me, but, by Jove, I think you've got something there. Maybe something along the lines of Contempt of Court, hit the pocketbook.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 24 at 2018 1:07 PM

2018-03-24T13:07:52-04:00

That would be difficult to prove. They spin the truth to the point that they can say that on a clear day the sky is not blue and it can be true.

Response by PO3 Grant Skiles made Mar 24 at 2018 2:21 PM

2018-03-24T14:21:49-04:00

It is a crime punishable by the people voting these individuals out of office. Unfortunately we vote like sheep and do not do our homework on candidates. We also allow unions to get involved personally and financially.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 24 at 2018 2:59 PM

2018-03-24T14:59:22-04:00

If you put every politician in jail for lying, there would be nobody in congress.

Response by SSG Will Phillips made Mar 24 at 2018 4:27 PM

2018-03-24T16:27:53-04:00

It should be treated a fraud. For example, if a contractor lies to you about the costs of a repair knowing full well that it is going to run much more, just to get the job. Then after starting and tearing things up, hits them with the additional costs. Same thing with a politician lying to us to get elected. Fraud is when you willingly lie to enrich yourself. Politicians almost always leave office much wealthier than before being elected.