Is the Truth Important Anymore in Politics?
@DeborahDiane (40094)
Laguna Woods, California
October 5, 2016 4:20pm CST
Aside from the lies that were told during the recent vice-presidential and presidential debates, during which candidates absolutely denied making statements that are easily checked on video, I am frustrated by other lies that are being told during this political season.
One that really irritates me is a Proposition that we will be voting on in California ... Proposition 61. The proposition is supposed to lower prices for drugs. There are two ads that are playing constantly on television. One shows a veteran who says this proposition will cause drug prices to go up for veterans; the other one shows a veteran who says that drug prices for veterans will be unchanged.
Obviously one of those ads is a bold faced lie.
The propositions are confusing enough, without being told absolute lies about them.
I can understand that different groups may have differences of opinions about new laws and whether or not they will be good for the state and its citizens. However, I want to be told the truth so I can make an informed decision. I do NOT believe people should be allowed to completely lie and make an ad that spreads the lie.
I'm still trying to figure out which group is telling the truth. Meanwhile, I'm furious that politicians and political groups can cross the line from being informative and expressing an opinion to telling bold-faced lies ... and we allow them to do it, apparently legally.
Do you have anything similar going on in your area? 
16 people like this
17 responses
@crossbones27 (48542)
• Mojave, California
5 Oct 16
I 100 percent agree. I was reading some of the comments from Trump supporters. They flat out said they care nothing about the truth. It all has to do with succeeding for yourself and getting your way. It does not matter how you did it. There is something wrong with this country as of late. Truth does not seem to matter at all until it lines up with ones way of thinking. That seems to be the only time people like truth.
3 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40094)
• Laguna Woods, California
5 Oct 16
@crossbones27 - Sadly, I agree with you that far too many people care nothing about the truth; they just want to win ... at any cost. It is very frustrating for anyone who really wants to know the truth about what people (and propositions) stand for and what they mean.
2 people like this
@crossbones27 (48542)
• Mojave, California
5 Oct 16
@DeborahDiane At this point, I really think you have to be a little corrupt to make it. They seem to be forcing our hand to having to take that path.
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40094)
• Laguna Woods, California
6 Oct 16
@crossbones27 - It's so frustrating!!
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (460403)
• Switzerland
7 Oct 16
@DeborahDiane What disgust people more is not what can be done better, but the money wasted in something that nobody asked and that seems not to be useful to anyone.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40094)
• Laguna Woods, California
7 Oct 16
I'm sure that is normal for people to be unhappy with their government ... since no government can possibly be perfect and some people will always do better than others.
1 person likes this
@Hanyouyomi (2187)
• Dallas, Texas
9 Oct 16
@DeborahDiane I had no idea this was going on. LOL! xD I haven't seen any adds like that here in Texas. But this showing how bad things are getting that these people can lie directly to us and escape the consequences because people aren't aware. This is painting a very grim picture of the future for me.
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40094)
• Laguna Woods, California
7 Oct 16
@jstory07 - I think you are right that they just say what they want in order to get elected.
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
8 Oct 16
no ma'am, not that i'm 'ware 'f anyhow. 'course, i don't watch much t.v. myself. 's fer the lies? i jest wish that the candidates's stick with the truth 'n 'xplain how they plan to make changes 'nstead 'f bashin' each other like the spoiled brats they'd be :(
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
10 Oct 16
@DeborahDiane i wonder 't times if'n they e'en know the truth?? perhaps they've 'lived the lie' so long that such eludes 'em. congress?? ugh, we need a complete o'erhaul 'f that place :( don't matter what's suggested, they'll find a way to screw 't 'p 'n then point the blame'n the other party.
when did we 'come a country 'f "parties" anyhow? what happened to "we the people..."?
jest makes my head spin 'n not'n a good way.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40094)
• Laguna Woods, California
18 Oct 16
@crazyhorseladycx - You are so right that we have lost the idea of "we the people." Politicians are putting their political parties ahead of what is best for the country, and that is unfortunate and sad.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40094)
• Laguna Woods, California
8 Oct 16
@crazyhorseladycx - I agree! I wish the candidates would stick with the truth and explain how they plan to make the changes they are discussing, how much they will cost, and whether or not they think they can actually get them approved by Congress ... which in itself would be an accomplishment, considering some of the things they are suggesting.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118809)
• Gainesville, Florida
10 Oct 16
In Florida, we have a constitutional amendment on the November ballot regarding solar electricity. The amendment is written in such a way that it appears that it is a no-brainer to vote yes for, but when you dig deeper into it, it turns out all the state utilities got together to write the amendment to keep solar power firmly in their grasp, instead of putting that power in the hands of the people. Utilities lose money when people install solar, so they are fighting against the right of the public to buy and install solar panels. A yes vote will keep utilities in control of who can install solar, while a vote of no will ensure that the public has control of who can install and use solar. But the language of the ballot makes it look like voting yes is good for the people, when it's the exact opposite.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118809)
• Gainesville, Florida
19 Oct 16
@DeborahDiane It just depends on who is writing the ballot initiative, and if they're trying to manipulate the voter into voting for something they normally wouldn't support. Lobbyists do it all the time.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40094)
• Laguna Woods, California
20 Oct 16
@moffittjc - I agree! Lobbyists who write our ballot initiatives make me crazy!
1 person likes this
@CoolPeace (1566)
• Miami, Florida
7 Oct 16
I think there is never any truth in politics because they will say one thing to get elected and never fulfill their promises.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40094)
• Laguna Woods, California
7 Oct 16
@CoolPeace - The truth is that, in a democracy, no one person can force their will on all the other government officials. They can't fulfill their promises because they have to fight for every little thing they achieve. I would think it would be exhausting to be the President or be in Congress.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40094)
• Laguna Woods, California
8 Oct 16
@CoolPeace - Yes, Congress makes the laws. The President can only approve or disapprove.
1 person likes this
@CoolPeace (1566)
• Miami, Florida
7 Oct 16
@DeborahDiane I agree. The Congress makes are the ones that past the laws.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40094)
• Laguna Woods, California
8 Nov 16
I would rather politicians tell me the truth and let me make up my own mind. The lies just make me mad.
@DeborahDiane (40094)
• Laguna Woods, California
6 Oct 16
I think people around the world would agree with you ... they all seem to hate their country's politics!
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
9 Oct 16
We have no propositions upcoming but all politicians lie , I have come to that conclusion except maybe Jimmy Carter who I think was an exception and probably explains why he was a one-term wonder.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40094)
• Laguna Woods, California
10 Oct 16
@BelleStarr - I agree that Carter was an exceptional man and, therefore, not able to stay in the White House for two terms.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62731)
• United States
6 Oct 16
No, the truth isn't important in politics. The simple reason is that truth isn't important in American society anymore.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40094)
• Laguna Woods, California
7 Oct 16
@FourWalls - You are certainly right that many Americans don't care about the truth ... they just want the easy answer.
1 person likes this
@just4him (308672)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
6 Oct 16
I'm trying very hard to stay away from the political arena. Every time I get close to it, it makes me ill with all the lies told, and the short exposure I had to the VP debate today was enough to make me extremely angry and I'm still trying to get that taste out of my mouth and my brain.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40094)
• Laguna Woods, California
7 Oct 16
@just4him - The truth is that the VP debate probably didn't change anyone's votes. Unlike when Sarah Palin was running under John McCain, most people are less interested in the VP candidates during this election cycle.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
5 Oct 16
From the Presidential election on down, everything is lies and deceptions from people and groups only out for money and power.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40094)
• Laguna Woods, California
6 Oct 16
@JohnRoberts - I feel as if I have to be an investigative reporter in order to figure out every little thing. Why should voters be put through that?
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
6 Oct 16
@DeborahDiane It is really rather obvious and the fault lies with the voters for not seeing through it.
1 person likes this
@teenspirit (1597)
• Israel
6 Oct 16
I think its hapeened in every area but in different measure
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40094)
• Laguna Woods, California
7 Oct 16
@teenspirit - I agree, dishonesty in politics seems to happen everywhere.
@RitzzView (2994)
• India
6 Oct 16
Yes, these lies indeed make us go to some very wrong direction. The updates are no more the truth. Its more commercial now. Whatever gets more sympathy, watches or attention; it will be shown(irrespective of whether its true or not).
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40094)
• Laguna Woods, California
7 Oct 16
@RitzzView - Yes, the lies often make us go the wrong direction. It is sad.
@DeborahDiane (40094)
• Laguna Woods, California
5 Oct 16
@Ranuka - I'm afraid you are right ... not just in the United States, but around the world.
@DianneN (247216)
• United States
6 Oct 16
There are so many untruths, that no one knows what is the truth anymore. It is becoming so difficult to cast an educated vote without fact checking and reading everything one can get their hands on. Even that is so confusing and deceiving!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40094)
• Laguna Woods, California
7 Oct 16
@DianneN - I agree! Unless you are a lawyer, and willing to spend hours dissecting every proposition, you have to rely on the opinions of other people to decide how to vote. Very frustrating.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40094)
• Laguna Woods, California
7 Oct 16
@JudyEv - We have 17 propositions to vote on. I know how I am going to vote on most of them ... but there are a few I am stilly trying to figure out.
1 person likes this
