Here’s What “I” Expect From Politicians

This post was inspired by a recent post over at Ethics Alarms titled “What Do You Believe“.

The purpose of the Society’s Building Blocks blog is “Critically Thinking About Things That Change Society” and it’s been a rather depressing task in the 21st century to witness all the absurdities coming to the forefront of our society that are destroying our culture and the core foundations of our country.

Try to imagine a tomorrow that’s filled with hope and promise for the United States of America. It’s not so easy to do that these days. We’ve gone from a society filled with twisted absurdities to morally perverted unsupportable and uncivil predictions of doom and gloom and it’s really getting out of hand!

The purpose of this is to make a list that’s as reasonably complete as I can of things I expect from politicians. I’m starting the list with the first things that pop into my head and I’ll add add to that list as I see fit. I encourage you to post comments with your expectations.

Here is what I expect from politicians and those that support them.

• Truth In Politics: If politicians, pundits, the media, PAC’s, and general partisan supporters cannot directly support the claims they are making with actual facts then you’re a morally bankrupt liar and you should not present the smears to the public, period!
  • Keep cherry picked snippets that are twisted to absurdity out of politics.
  • Keep ridiculous innuendo out of politics.
  • Keep the wild unsupportable predictions out of politics.
  • Keep ad hominems out of politics.
  • Fear mongering is immoral, don’t do it!
  • No one should trust anyone that engages in these morally bankrupt tactics.
• Follow The Golden Rule: a principle that states people should treat others the way they would want to be treated.
  • Those that engage in cherry picking, innuendo, predictions, ad hominems when making political arguments are ethically estopped¹ from complaining about those that attack them using the same tactics.
  • Politicians falsely attacking their opposition because they were falsely attacked first is wrong, choose to directly challenge instead, see below.
  • Be civil! (Wisconsin Alliance for Civic Trust)
• Be Honest: Don’t try to reinvent yourself, be yourself.
  • We want to know the real you not a facade that blows with the wind.
  • If you don’t know something, make every reasonable effort to learn.
    • I don’t expect politicians to know everything about everything but they better be willing to learn and show that they are learning.
• Don’t Ramble: Answer the specific questions that are presented with as little extrapolation as necessary.
  • Don’t try to shift the question back to one of your go-to talking points.
  • We the People don’t need a dissertation to answer a simple question.
  • If you don’t have an answer today then pledge to find an answer and then keep your word.
• Directly Challenge False Claims: If your opposition makes false claims about you then challenge them to prove their claims with verifiable facts.
  • I realize that false claims are trying to get you on the defensive and shift the conversation, but a simple “Prove your claim with verifiable facts” puts the responsibility on those making the claims – where it belongs.
• Take Responsibility: If you voted for or against a bill and that is being used to attack your position(s) then explain to the public why you voted for or against the bill in question in clear and simple terms and trust the public to make informed decisions.
  • Leaders take responsibility.
  • Circumstance does not make the person, it reveals the person(s) to them self.
  • Remember, you’re elected to serve the people not yourself.
• Listen: Listening to others is really not an art, is just a simple task that shows respect.
• Understand: Understanding is critical so if there’s something you don’t understand then learn more about it and don’t be afraid to ask related questions to better understand.
• Don’t Undermine Our Election System: Our election system may not be perfect but don’t attack it; however, if you see areas where we can do better then address those areas specifically.
• Values are important: Values serve as standards for who we choose to follow and for those who choose to follow us. Values are our personal bottom line. Values are our beliefs about what is most important in our lives. Our values determine what we think is right or wrong, good or bad, and what we do or do not do. Values are like the executive level of a computer system. Values are the leverage point that structures a powerful internal impulse that enables leaders to think and act beyond limitation. Use values as leverage to build strength of character in ourselves and those around us.
• Give us hope for tomorrow: Hope lies in the truth, our strength of character to tell the truth lies in our values, so ultimately, hope lies within each one of us to stand up for, and spread the truth. Don’t focus your campaigns on what we’re supposed to vote AGAINST, we want something or someone to vote FOR!

I’m certain I’ve missed some important things so help me make this list as complete as reasonably possible. Please provide your additions to my list in the comments section. For new commenters, please follow my commenting policies.

Thanks
Steve

¹Ethics Estoppel: attaches when a public figure makes an ethics-related assertion or levels criticism of conduct that he or she is uniquely unable to make without inducing near fatal laughter in all who read or hear it, since the position is so obviously and audaciously at odds with the individual’s own past behavior or statements. (Source)