I recently heard someone say that once we accept a belief or philosophy, our objectivity is severely diminished. We no longer try to discern if something we read or hear is true and correct and simply accept any information that supports our belief. This can be seen in politics.

Unfortunately, it seems to be a common practice for politicians across the country and members of Congress to put themselves first, engage in partisan politics, accept money from lobbyists and big donors in exchange for their votes while showing little concern for the things that are good for our country and taxpayers. When these politicians are put on the spot, try to answer the tough questions, or are caught doing something wrong or illegal, they rarely give up. For too many politicians, lying seems to be second nature.

Core supporters of many politicians are quick to accept the political leader’s statements as true and move on even when the statement is clearly not true. Today, it seems that some voters are more than willing to overlook the lies and questionable behavior of political leaders when they agree with the politicians’ stated goals.

Unsurprisingly, those who criticize the misdeeds of these politicians are quickly branded as enemies and attempts are made to discredit them. Of course, political enemies are always held to different and often higher standards of behavior by the offending politician and his supporters. By overlooking the lies, bad behavior, illegal actions, and harm created by such leaders, followers are saying that laws, ethical behavior, and poor performance don’t matter as long as they get what they want.

Since a truth is a truth and a lie is a lie, we will find each purpose at opposite ends of the spectrum.

The purpose of a lie is:

– Deceive and deceive

– cover something

– Make the truth hard to find.

– Justify incorrect statements or actions

– Serve as propaganda.

– Support or perpetuate an evil

– Conceal a wrongdoing, error or illegal action

– Making another person look bad or guilty

– change an opinion

– Hide the facts

– denying something that was said or done

– Shift the focus to a less controversial topic

The purpose of a truth is:

– Reveal and verify facts and details

– Be open and honest.

– Discover the exact words, actions, motives and character of those involved

– Let us confirm and be absolutely sure of what was said and what happened.

Politicians who are immersed in a web of lies and misdeeds:

– Participate in a cover-up of their misdeeds.

– Tell additional lies to hide the first one

– They cannot support their statements with details and details.

– Inventing information and scenarios that turn out not to be true

– Distract attention with unsubstantiated and false claims

– Continually work to plant and cultivate seeds of doubt.

– Attempt to delegitimize facts that could worry the followers

– Exaggerate statements and disproportionate minor things.

– lashes out at those who don’t buy his lies

– Using personal attacks to belittle dissidents

– Engage in insults

– Expect friends to support the lie by speaking and acting

– Use ‘alternative’ facts and irrational logic

– Citing unreliable sources and supporting incorrect information

– Making false and misleading statements as part of everyday life.

– Repeating lies over and over again in the hope that followers believe them.

– Goad your base followers whenever they get into trouble.

– Hire powerful lawyers to minimize the damage.

– Attempt to disappear and damage government institutions

– Show contempt for the rule of law.

– Strive to discredit reporters who seek the facts and the truth.

– They claim they are being treated unfairly by the media

– Work hard to cloud the truth and facts.

– Point the blame at others.

– Mark all negative information as ‘false’

– Start disinformation campaigns.

– Find that they should walk back and change previous statements

– Using half-truths to support your case

– Do not agree with the proven facts.

– Harass and intimidate key people into keeping quiet

– They become delusional to the point that they can no longer see the truth.

– Begin to believe that there is a conspiracy to get them

– They delude themselves into thinking that they are doing something good

– Claiming ‘non-obstruction’ while hindering efforts to find the truth

– Take many measures to interfere and undermine the investigation.

– Try to discredit the investigators.

– Getting caught up in contradictions.

– Double down on your alarming pattern of behavior and falsehoods.

– Excuse their own behavior while condemning the behavior of others.

– Taking actions well outside of traditional and accepted norms

– Throw your friends under the bus, when things start to fall apart

Politicians tend to use these tactics when they are concerned that the consequences of their past statements, actions, and behaviors could put them in legal jeopardy and/or could affect their financial and political future. They also adopt these tactics when they are concerned that their support base is seriously eroding.

When politicians engage in behavior like this, they show us and tell us not to believe them, not to trust them, and certainly not to support them. Any political position built on lies and misdeeds must be recognized and taken as a personal insult and betrayal that cannot be tolerated.

It should be obvious to all that politicians who tell us the truth and have not committed serious wrongdoing will have no reason to engage in these deceptive activities. That critical point cannot be ignored or explained away by those who use and rely on those tactics. Truth and facts are important and must be valued.

“People can choose between the sweet lie or the bitter truth.

I tell the bitter truth

But a lot of people don’t want to hear it.”

— Avigdor Liebermann

“Lying is a cooperative act.

Think about it.

A lie has no power because of its mother enunciation.

Its power arises when someone else agrees to believe the lie.”

–Pamela Mayer

Since the cornerstones of trust are both truth and ethical behavior, political leaders who don’t tell the truth, mislead us, and misbehave have no place in government. We should all be able to agree that our trust and support should only be given to politicians who tell us the truth, behave ethically and act in our best interests.

Lying and unethical people who hold political office must be held accountable for their lack of respect for us and for the position they hold. Therefore, we must ensure that our voices are heard. We do this by making phone calls and sending emails and letters of complaint to the offices of unscrupulous politicians. Most importantly, our votes should only go to truthful, trustworthy, and ethical candidates.

Holding political leaders accountable is the obligation of every voter. High school students, college students, and all new voters are also expected to assume the same responsibility to seek the truth and hold our politicians to the highest standards. That responsibility should never be sacrificed even when the politician promises and delivers some of the things we want. We will pay a terrible price if our own standards fall to that level.