(1) The truth is an interpretation. Absolute truth can
rarely be found in politics.
(2) Statistics and other “facts” are routinely viewed
through the prism of ideology, whether left or right. Any number can be made to
look good or bad.
(3) All politicians (and all partisans) have convinced
themselves that they are speaking the truth and doing the right thing, and
nothing you can do will shake that conviction.
(4) All politics is PR; if that bothers you, steer clear of
public service.
(5) History shows us that presidents under pressure often do
things they would prefer not to do, or things contrary to their perceived
image. Get used to it.
(6) If you become righteously indignant over some politician
or political issue, your anger probably has another source. You know deep down
that something else is ticking you off.
(7) Presidential elections really do reflect shifts in
national thinking – though that thinking is rarely very deep. It has more to do
with feelings than logic.
(8) Don’t believe those who think government is the answer.
(9) Don’t believe those who think we don’t need government.
(10) No matter who wins on Nov. 6, chances are we will
survive. Then we can turn our attention to really serious matters, like the
Mayan calendar countdown and the end of the world on Dec. 21.
This article offers some confirmation of these axioms: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/post/two-conventions-in-parallel-narrative-and-philosophical-universes/2012/09/07/ada51f58-f935-11e1-8b93-c4f4ab1c8d13_blog.html
ReplyDeleteAnother axiom:
ReplyDeleteIf a politician warns you that frightening things will happen if his opponent is elected, don't believe him. His warning is of the same order as a campaign promise, and just as unlikely to be fulfilled.