>No. It's not better. That way lies Russia. Please don't misread my comment as a prescription towards a political end. It does not follow that I would endorse

>No. It's not better. That way lies Russia. Please don't misread my comment as a prescription towards a political end. It does not follow that I would endorse any politician, nor does it follow that I subscribe to "the ends justify the means". >If you already believe all politicians are liars, how is it at all helpful for a politician to tell you something you already know -- that he or she is lying? I take it as a courtesy when their spiel is over the top and theatrical. It is a small conciliation when they embrace the absurdity of their position and go overboard. The presumption of political truthiness is insulting to me as a viewer. I understand that they are in a position that requires them to lie and cheat. I empathize, but I don't support them or endorse the process. >Don't give up on the truth. In the context of politics, these 'truths' are often highly subjective and ideologically driven. Consider the drug war and all of the studies which were funded/suppressed to justify prohibition. Yet today cannabis is regarded as a panacea by many. Even in the material sciences knowledge is constantly revised. Yet so many are willing to stand on this false summit and beat their chests as if they have reached the apex of understanding. In the case of politics what follows is the coercive force of the state to achieve some ends suggested by their limited understanding. No, I haven't given up on truth. I reject politics as a means to any end. >Some politicians take none of those steps. Again with "This time is different", I'll call this special pleading. Believing in politicians and expecting change is like loaning money to an addict.