How do we keep candidates from lying over and over? - MSM article

How do we keep candidates from lying over and over?

"American politics has become a battle of talking points," said Bill Adair, editor of PolitiFact and Washington bureau chief for The Tampa Bay Times. "Once candidates find a talking point they like, they often stick with it — even when fact-checkers say it's wrong."

source from MSN news

That this article, with that title, is even needed is disgusting. That most of 'we the people' would not only agree with it, but probably expect it is even more despicable.

What has our Nations political arena come to? We now expect to have to police our leaders to weed out all their lies? This is okay? This is American?

I thought our leaders were suposed to be people to look up to. Men and women of honor, courage, high moral and ethical standards. As the quality of our leaders have declined, so has our image to the rest of the world and our own social environment.

I started this thread to discuss the FACT that we accept that most our nations leaders are liars and thieves and how wrong and twisted that is.

I would also like to point out though, that of the four Republican candidates discussed in the article, of course the last man mentioned was Ron Paul. The statement against him was not only weak but a play on words. I really feel that he is the most honest of the candidates and I say this because of his long history in our government and proven track record. I think that whether someone agrees with all his stances or not, most would agree.

I'm an Amerian citizen. Born here, raised here and will most likely die here. I am so very afraid for our country right now and where we are headed. I am embarressed of the circus act that our government has become. I am appalled at the atrocities being committed in other countries in our name. It all needs to stop.

When I first read the title of this article, I smirked, shook my head and was about to move on. Then it dawned on me; I accepted it, I expected it and worse of all I was complacent about it. Why? Because we have been conditioned to believe that we can DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. I refuse to be swept up in this. It is time for change! It has to happen NOW before it is too late. When I vote this next year, it will be for that change. God help us.

reply to post by westcoast


They will keep lying as long as we keep believing them! People vote for "Yes We Can" candidates rather than people with hard facts, which doesn't feel good when you hear them, but you know it will be better in the long term for it. Thats why Paul will not win, he's too honest and people dont like hearing the truth, they would rather have on their rose glasses and think everything will be great.

We don't keep them from lying to us.
We CAN'T keep them from lying.

It's almost apparent that the pubic wants them to tell fabulous lies.
Keeping up this scam called the "American Dream" is chock full of lies.
You can't have generations of people actually know the truth?
How would they keep their revenue coming if the public knew what it actually funded?
It would be devastating to the entire deck of cards these politicians built into a house.



Because if they told the truth all politicians would get Boo'ed like Ron Paul did.
On national TV.

reply to post by westcoast

Men and women of honor, courage, high moral and ethical standards.

I suppose they reflect what those qualities mean to those electing them.

Easiest question in the world!

We DON"T VOTE FOR THEM!

And, we make sure nobody we knows will vote for them either. We don't donate money, we don't support them just because their party supports them, and in this day and age of social media, we make sure everyone we know is aware of how we feel, and why, and what the appropriate course of action is to ensure integrity.

For those even more energetic, you can become involved. Volunteer on someone's campaign that you actually trust and endorse. Join a group or something.

Run the crooks out!

Until people start calling them out on it, publicly.

As somewhat of an example, on the last couple of debates I have heard Newt make a reference to the "elites". Now, what I propose is for someone, preferably at the debates to stand up and ask him specifically whom he is referring to. We tend to not ask the right questions at times. We hear the word elite thrown around, but without any indication as to who they are. I am sure we can all ascertain as to whom he is referring to, but to get certain people to actually say it is another. We need to start getting the elites pointing their fingers at each other, much the same way they have us blaming each other.

Make a website called liarliar.com and build a database of every lie every politician has told in the last 10 years.
Advise all voters to have a look there before voting.

Now that should throw a spanner in their political aspriations.
Expect a lot of trouble.

Great replies you guys and right on target.

I think the problem is exactly as you say: no one wants to hear the truth! It's like it is so much easier to let the drunk go hide and drink their life away than to confront them and work for change. I have never gotten that mentality but it seems to be more the norm nowadays.

This year is the first time I have EVER advocated for a candidate. I think I have lost some 'friends' on facebook because of it. Good.

Only candidate I will vote for is Ron Paul. He speaks the truth.

Like I posted a while back on facebook:

Our current government has served up some pretty rotten dishes. Ron Paul is the only candidate with the guts to eat it. Guess what....the longer we ignore the mess, the worse it's going to taste and the harder it's going to be to swallow.

reply to post by Monkeygod333


It would be much easier to create a database for the ones that tell the truth.
I do not think the cloud would be big enough to handle all the liars.

I have been a long time proponent of public canings for lying politicians...

Could be done like a covert reality show using a special team of enforcer types and some suiits to narrate... get them somewhere and interview the candidate using some cover story that supports all the things about them to get them in the mood, then cane the @#$% out of their behind....

Televised worldwide.. They won't know when they could be next.... (if they lie...) I bet you would see some improvement..

reply to post by alienreality


I LOVE it! It could be called "liar, liar"

Make it like the stupid dating game shows and have little thumbs up and thumbs down when they tell the truth and lie...then have the accurate info scroll across the bottom. Use little bubble icons above their heads that show what they are really thinking.

At the end, there is a score card. Make them look like the greasy clowns they really are.

Its kind of a double edged sword the candidates find themselves in -

Say there is something the people want that is unlikely to be able to happen or beyond the power of the POTUS.

In the spirit of making something up for discussion - lets say the people want the economy turned around in 30 days, with 0% unemployment by new green jobs.

Candidate 1 says - "I promise you if I'm elected we'll get this economy turned around in a month and person who wants a job will have a new job with minimal environmental impact!!"

Candidate 2 says - "Ummm... yeah. Good luck on that Skippy. Listen folks, its a worthwhile goal, but it will take longer than a month. This will likely be tough for awhile no matter who gets in office. It will be an incremental process and the first step I would do is ..."

Candidate 2 is probably telling the truth. But who is going to get the most cheers and votes...

We the people tend to vote for the best salesman -

Originally posted by Skewed
Until people start calling them out on it, publicly.

As somewhat of an example, on the last couple of debates I have heard Newt make a reference to the "elites". Now, what I propose is for someone, preferably at the debates to stand up and ask him specifically whom he is referring to. We tend to not ask the right questions at times. We hear the word elite thrown around, but without any indication as to who they are. I am sure we can all ascertain as to whom he is referring to, but to get certain people to actually say it is another. We need to start getting the elites pointing their fingers at each other, much the same way they have us blaming each other.

When you have a 30 year political dirty tricks specialist and consummate washington whore like 'Newt Gingrich' using terms like 'The Elites' without a trace of shame or irony you know the political system has finally 'jumped the shark'.

Can we not have an award? Like 'the raspberries' for worst film.

The 'nixon' award for the years most outstanding contribution to lies, corruption and debasement of the body politic. It'll be a close run contest every year.

reply to post by westcoast

@How do we keep candidates from lying over and over?

Make them sign their signatures next to all they promise and if they lie then place X next to promise after evaluation of say a year or 2 if they have more Xs over their promises then let the Vice President take over folllowing the same process sign signature next to promises and x out the lies.

NAMASTE*******

By firing them. Who cares if they lie, as a regular citizen. As long as they can't impact our nation with their lies and deceits.