Marriage of lies and politics

Indicating the presidential matchup is “Liar vs. Liar” (June 1 column by Carl Hiaasen) misrepresents America’s fate as a nation.

Stretching the truth is a necessary means in successful politics – perhaps because voters desire to hear what they want, or perhaps because it can’t be helped. Regardless, lying and politics have been intimate since the roots of government. Abraham Lincoln lied during Civil War negotiations, Kennedy lied about invading Cuba, Nixon’s lied about Watergate, and so forth.

Entering “Obama” and “lie” into Google generates numerous web pages dedicated to documenting lies our two-term president has told. Voters historically have chosen to “look the other way” when it comes to dishonest politicians, because social cohesion is valued over putting American prosperity at risk.

Stacking the deck against the election by declaring it “dangerous” and “soul-sapping” only promotes the attitude that American administration is growing substandard – in other words, that America is doomed.

Frankly, nothing has changed aside from advances in fact-checking capabilities. Further, it’s unhealthy for citizens to have such low regard for their country’s leadership. Dirty politics aside, America has been successful throughout time, and we should have faith it will continue.

This story was originally published June 5, 2016 at 3:36 PM with the headline "Marriage of lies and politics."