How do you know if a politician is lying? Their lips are moving!
I’m sure we’ve all heard this joke before. While we all recognize that exaggeration can make good comedy, this particular statement tells a lot about our society.
We all know that politicians lie. We are not surprised by it, we don’t rail against it, we even expect it. What does it say about us that we accept and even expect our representative to lie to us? And what does it say that rather than being incensed and demand their resignation we make a joke about it. What does it say about someone who willingly goes into a profession that not only allows lying, but where it’s a requirement?All the men and women who serve swear an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America. Politicians make campaign promisses that, if kept, would be a violation of that oath. And we, the people who elected them to represent us, do nothing about it. What does it say about us when we re-elect people who blatantly violate their oath?
Politicians faced lie to our face, swear an oath they fully intend to violate and we keep sending them back. What it says about politicians is bad enough. What it says about us is truly revolting!
“The people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities… If the next centennial does not find us a great nation… it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces.”
Rev. James A. Garfield, (1831-1881), United States President, Minister of the Gospel.