Originally posted by mbTDI:
OMG!!! POLITICIANS STRETCH THE TRUTH?!? SAY THINGS JUST TO PROVE A POINT OR GAIN POPULARITY?!? SINCE WHEN?!? OMG OMG OMG


(Translation... politicians have been "spinning" since the dawn of politics... get over it)





No, I will NOT "get over it." It is my duty as a citizen not to get over it.

The problem with your attitude:

1) Our little experiment in democracy will fail if we no longer make our representatives tell us the truth. If we just "get over" their lies, as you suggest, then we cannot know what our government is doing, or why. Our government will become dominated by those who are most willing to lie and cheat.

2) Your refusal to hold liars accountable allows the government to serve other people's interests, not yours. Some very wealthy and powerful people have figured out that there are so many people like you (apathetic, jaded, resigned) that they can manipulate our political system any way they like. Your attitude = policies that overwhelmingly favor the rich and powerful, not you.

3) There are no historical examples (that I know of) in which regular working folks have been able to democratically vote themselves back into power, after power has predominantly been usurped by the wealthy and powerful. The founding fathers created a government "of the people, by the people, for the people." A government headed by us, not headed by a king or despot. But they warned us to be eternally vigilant. They thought that democracy could easily be undermined and highjacked by the wealthy and powerful classes that throughout history have grabbed authority from us ordinary folks. As you casually allow your political influence to slip away, think about whether it is even possible to ever get it back again.