They used to be so convincing to me, but now I believe absolutely nothing they say. The tougher the talk, the more likely I am to disregard their statements as calculated bullshit to get votes/money.
At most, they get silenced briefly if they roleplay too hard, and then only until they come back to do an apology tour.
Action is a sacrifice. It costs at minimum time and effort, and frequently has lasting repercussions.
Politics is a bystander who nods solemnly and says "So brave, I fully agree with what that man over there just did to save a random stranger from a fire. I proudly endorse heroic acts."
Look to what people put on the line, what they'll sacrifice, what actions they'll take, to find out what their real values are.
For 99.9% of politicians, that's "nothing." But they'll give you all the pleasant words you wish, as many as you can stomach.
For the rare counter-example, there was a politician recently who gave up his multi-billion dollar career, damaged his reputation by taking an "extreme" pro-American viewpoint, and permanently chilled most of his relationships with the same flock who used to bleat their adulation at him. Curiously enough, all the other politicians hated him and betrayed or sabotaged him at the first opportunity.
They used to be so convincing to me, but now I believe absolutely nothing they say. The tougher the talk, the more likely I am to disregard their statements as calculated bullshit to get votes/money.
Talk is free.
At most, they get silenced briefly if they roleplay too hard, and then only until they come back to do an apology tour.
Action is a sacrifice. It costs at minimum time and effort, and frequently has lasting repercussions.
Politics is a bystander who nods solemnly and says "So brave, I fully agree with what that man over there just did to save a random stranger from a fire. I proudly endorse heroic acts."
Look to what people put on the line, what they'll sacrifice, what actions they'll take, to find out what their real values are.
For 99.9% of politicians, that's "nothing." But they'll give you all the pleasant words you wish, as many as you can stomach.
For the rare counter-example, there was a politician recently who gave up his multi-billion dollar career, damaged his reputation by taking an "extreme" pro-American viewpoint, and permanently chilled most of his relationships with the same flock who used to bleat their adulation at him. Curiously enough, all the other politicians hated him and betrayed or sabotaged him at the first opportunity.