When did “We the People” give our public officials a pass on telling lies?
Smear tactics have been common in politics for well over 200 years, but outright lying about legislation at the current level appears to be a new phenomenon. Once upon a time not so long ago, the press would eviscerate an elected official who would make a statement like, “THEY are going to kill people.”
In the last century such a statement would be countered by the press with “when did THEY say that,” and followed up with “what bill contains THAT?”
Today, it’s printed as though it’s an absolute fact, and then hits the internet echo chamber, where the faithful repeat the lie as though it’s the gospel truth, and even reasonable people are suckered into forwarding information that has highly questionable veracity.
But let’s call it what it is – a lie.
A complete fabrication created to pander to your base while allegedly making the other side look bad. All the while making it damn near impossible to do anything bipartisan.
I would like to think there were fewer partisan times in the past, but I do know better. I think the difference is that then there was a societal norm that kept lying in check. Decorum demanded more than just a trivial justification for your latest lie. You were elected to an office to get things done for the people, not do your party’s bidding.
If it wasn’t true, you didn’t say it, partly because it would negatively impact your ability when in the minority to get anything done.
Politicians would say all kinds of horrible things about their opponents, but they would not lie. Now it’s all become hyperbole – but so many have forgotten that hyperbole is not intended to be taken literally, but so often is taken as a de facto truth.
Statements like, “I believe THEY want to dine on small children” have become commonplace. It’s obviously a lie, but because it’s one’s belief, it’s allegedly acceptable. Extreme hate has become the norm.
If Chuck Schumer removed “I believe” from his political theater, he would have nothing to say.
I do have to give the Democrats credit for punishing members of their party who step out of line. They are very effective at it. Neatly operating like Hitler’s “Brown Shirts.” I’ve been watching Pennsylvania’s Fetterman express his own opinion, and how his own party muzzled him and slapped him silly.
Today’s lies and hate preclude anyone from getting anything done outside of straight party action. President Teddy Roosevelt said, “Complaining about a problem without posing a solution is called whining.”
I’m going to whine about this one, because in this “age of the big lie,” there would need to be significant societal changes to correct this egregious situation, and I have neither the time or inclination to tilt at this particular windmill.
It would enrage both sides if I did, and I would be the target, but if the lies were not so stupid, it would be funny.
