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Originally Posted by pigglet
I think that the questions of character, honesty, and integrity - not only with respect to the issues but also how the politician relates to those issues - that politicians run on in their campaigns is a crucial aspect of what motivates citizens to vote for them. Therefore, I disagree that these are irrelevancies when they are dealing with legislation and social climates directly affected by their positions on the issues. Therefore, I think that these statements are tantamount to a resume in terms of issues in the public eye. That is the reason that they run on these issues during their campaigns, etc.
Are you essentially saying that its ok for someone to misrepresent themselves on some issues, but not others? Where do you draw the line, and who gets to decide where the line is?
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It makes the most sense - to me, anyway - to draw the line where the misrepresentation is not material to political claims or political actions.
A lie about the politician's sex life - provided that it's all legal - is about as material to his political life as a lie about his parenting skills. Even if the voters think otherwise. Because you don't need to be a faithful husband or a good father in order to be an excellent politician.
Even if the voters think otherwise.
If people like Maher or Haggard's outer have the ability to out someone without invading their privacy unlawfully - Haggard certainly opened a few doors himself with his adultery and drug use - then, sure, they're
legally in the clear. But they'll not receive one iota of praise from me. They're still pretty scummy. No, they'll be the recipients of something else entirely...
