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Do Politicians Need to Lie for the Greater Good of Others?
Politics is deception; but some of us have to participate in trickery for the greater good of others. Participation in political deceit to benefit ones-self is called corruption; whereas dishonesty to benefit others is sadly called good politics. Balancing morals with politics is a conundrum. Politicians and leaders will have much to fear on the day of reckoning; notwithstanding it is Allah that appoints leaders whilst promising not to burden a soul with more than it can handle.
Politics is stressful, cutthroat, insincere, unforgiving, crafty, devilish and disgusting; it calls into question a person’s religion and morality as it forces you to become deceitful because your political opponents will not play fair. Political opponents look for weaknesses to exploit the opportunities to misrepresent or discredit speech, habits and behaviour. A politician needs to make sure his nose is clean, yet knows everyone has secrets that you hope Allah will conceal?
Politics, perhaps, is not a job for the honest and principled because your political foes will be prepared to move mountains in order to discredit thee and you have to be prepared to do the same. However, good people must tread carefully and enter the murky world of politics in order to safeguard and represent the rest of us. Good people need to be in the chambers of power working with the unlikable yet intelligent, passionate and patriotic “others”. Otherwise detrimental decisions maybe made to the detriment of all? Ultimatly, decisions need to be made, and good people need to be in those meeting-rooms when legislation is discussed and passed.
Question?
Do Politicians need to Lie for the Greater Good of Others?
Comments
There is a particular type of sociopath who tells himself he's doing it for the greater good, or lying for a higher truth, or some such self-serving nonsense.
If you really are lying for the good of others, then it implies you feel they can't handle the truth. Which is certainly the case with some people. But the people who can't handle the truth can't be helped regardless. They're doomed.
So, no. You can't possibly help someone by lying to him.
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@Adagio I can only say thank you for your comment as I learnt much from it :-)
@abdussalaam : "do you think politicians are in government for the money or is it because they have a passion to see society flourish?"
In today's presidential race, I don't think that Trump or Sanders are in it for the money. Trump doesn't need the money and probably wouldn't even take the salary if elected. And Sanders is not and never has been in elective office with the idea of getting rich. He's committed to his ideas. Trump on the other hand is committed to Trump. It's not for the money with him. It's an Ego Trip. So, the candidates seem to be in it for a variety of reasons and I don't think that money is the motivating factor. Congressmen on the other hand, are only about fundraising. Once their in office they spend all their time raising funds for the next election. They sell themselves to various special interests and that's the kind of government we get. They don't represent the people. They represent those that donate to their re-election and all expect something in return for that support.
That is the underlying theme of the Neo-Con. It's a mixture of Plato and Machiavelli. The Philosopher King. (Plato), and the ends justifying the means Machiavelli. The idea is that only a small handful of people are capable of knowing the Truth, and therefore lying for the "good" of the people is NOT a sin. In fact it's a necessity. Lying is totally acceptable. So any policy that is deemed to be right and good by a small number of people can be justified by lying because it's for the peoples own good. That assumes the infallibility of those in power and a willingness to submit to authoritarianism by the people that need to be led. Critical thinking would be the enemy and a threat to this kind of ideology.
I am sure some actually want to see it flurish. Unfortunatly here in america you need to fall into certain criteria to be considered for anything, i dont understand why we here refuse to embrace strong politicians
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@John Colarusso do you think politicians are in government for the money or is it because they have a passion to see society flourish?
No, they lie, (atleast in america) to preserve their image and hopefully get reelected. Polticians in america are paid very very well, and for the most part are very securly in power if they know how to work the majority.
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