Republicans: I'd like to borrow the country.
Democrats: Again? It didn't turn out so well last time when you borrowed it.
R: As if you're any better.
D: Well you did total the country, the global economy, and leave the Middle East in turmoil.
R: None of that was my fault.
Today - 26 September - Donald Trump leads in the polls.
I do think that one thing Republicans have succeeded in doing is in making cynicism about government seem like sophistication. "All Politicians are liars" is a wonderful way to excuse the worst candidates from any responsibility. There is now an argument about whether it matters that a politician repeatedly lies.
It is an odd place that we've come to. Trump lays out incoherent Policy that thumbs its nose at the constitution, expert opinion, and common decency and gets a break because everyone says, "Well, he will never do that." Clinton lays out a coherent policy and gets criticized because, "She will never do that."
Good policy that comes from the same ideological (and literal) family tree as the policy that helped to make the 90s so prosperous is discounted because we can't trust what Clinton is saying.
Why can't we trust Clinton? Because all politicians are liars.
Bad policy that is inspired by reaction to talk radio and Fox news is discounted because we can't trust what Trump is saying.
Why can't we trust Trump? Because all politicians are liars.
Given all politicians are liars, we don't have to do the hard work of actually thinking about the policy or so-called facts. Instead of using our brains we can just use our guts.
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Politifact tracks statements made by the candidates, rating them from "pants on fire" to "true." 13% of Clinton's statements earn either a "pants on fire" rating or a simple "false." 13%. Trump? It's 53%. Over half the statements he makes can't be trusted.
