Does the p[ublic actually want honest politicians?

Question

I can remember several times when a politician has had to "withdraw" a remark and has been sacked from his post because of it
Edwina Curry re eggs Francis Prior re too large a majority in parliament
Bill Clinton in his remark about the Irish question being like two men leaving the pub for a fight and then going back in for another drink together

Answer 1

There is honest, like in not crooks, and there is another type you refer to.

Though an argument people love to bring up, I would hope someone knows the difference between lying to get us into a war, and "lying" for a valid reason, like not hurting others feelings. I would hope at your age you would know the difference, and not try an end-run that has nothing to do with being honest!

Republicans, many at least don't want honest politicians as it cost them money!

Answer 2

Simon Cameron, "An honest politician is one who, when he is bought, will stay bought."

Dan Rather on Bill Clinton: "I think he’s an honest man....I think at core he’s an honest person....I think you can be an honest person and lie about any number of things." With BS like this, is it any wonder Americans would not recognize the truth if it upped and smacked them across the nose!

The big thing is, though, that once you RECOGNIZE the truth, you have to DO something to fix what is wrong! That means taking responsibility which means something like introspection and work. That's a very tough call for the majority of North Americans. I include Canada in this mix because I see the same blind allegiance here as well.

Many people are content with the status quo. Many others are not. The Ron Paul phenomenon seems to indicate that enough Americans recognize honor to cause the mainstream ilk a bit of discomfort. This is why he is never mentioned in the media unless it is impossible to ignore him. I am a tad annoyed that even Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert ignore him completely!

Sadly most people have been so duped and pulled in by the system of education and media and religion and patriotism and fear that they are confused and are still lost in the forest, unable to see the trees. Mc cain and Romney, Hillary and Obama.... Guiliani... what a pile of sickos.

I have a funny feeling that the current situation in America will lead to martial law before long and, with his newly minted dictatorial powers, Bush will just hang in holding on to his reign of international terror.

I pray that America doesn't wake up just as the barred door slams shut behind them!

Frederick Douglass, "The life of the nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful, and virtuous."

Answer 3

I cannot speak for the rest of the public, but I certainly want honest politicians, and nothing less will do! But, only when it comes to the important issues that really matter to the people and this country! When it comes to personal things or petty things that are none of anyone else's business or that do not really matter, I wouldn't judge these things. *sm*

My choice for the next president is Mike Gravel

Answer 4

Honest in their policies yes, if they say they are going to do something to get elected they should do it...complete disclosure of absolutely everything no...it seems to pit a lot of armchair politicians against each other for no valid reason other than to dispute details of a larger problem. While we argue about Slick Willie's sex life and Dubya's IQ, real issues are going on. Our government should do it's job, and we should be able to have the peace of mind that our elected officials are acting with integrity, not be forced to stand over them like warden's.

Answer 5

Well, it would be a novelty! I can't recall a politician who has been totally honest, certainly not in the last 10 years of the present government.

Answer 6

Yes, our society actually wants and needs honest politicans. I can recall many "statements" that have been withdrawn or ignored, but I cannot place Edwina Curry.

Answer 7

It doesn't look that way.

I remember when r.reagan was campaigning against President Carter, he said that he had a plan to boost the economy.

Carter, told the truth, that he did not have a plan.

r. reagan told the people what they wanted to hear instead of the truth, so incidentally, he won the election on this point.

The days the votes were tallied, and it was determined that r. reagan had won the election, one commentator asked r. reagan what his plan was to boost the economy.

r. reagan gave the commentator one of his Altzheimeristic blank stares, and then said "I don't have a plan."

The commentator said "But Sir, when you were campaigning, you said you had a plan."

r. reagan then said "Anybody running for president, at this time, would have said they had a plan, whether they had one or not."

Answer 8

It is difficult for genuinely honest politicians. People believe that they are equally dishonest, but are cleverer at covering up. Of course we have George Bush acting the idiot, because people will think he's just stupid, not dishonest.

Answer 9

no

Democracy is the theory that holds that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard.
Every election is a sort of advance auction sale of stolen goods.
Every decent man is ashamed of the government he lives under.

Answer 10

Yes. Honesty is a must. It would be novel to have forthrightness. Ok my naivety is showing, politicians are by definition circumspect.