How do you justify a lie?

Question

In the wake of the John Edwards' scandal, why is it that people are willing to forgive his transgressions, just because they supposedly have nothing to do with his ability to perform his job? If a public servant is capable of lying about his private life, why should we trust him to tell the truth about anything...especially if his public service might affect our very lives? Politicians lie, period. What are we supposed to do? Vote for the ones who lie for our own good? That alternative just sucks, IMO. I admit I don't know the answer. Do you?

Answer 1

This was not a political lie.  He lied, as Bill Clinton did, to cover his a** and protect his marriage.

Answer 2

10-4 very well said, and the fact that the man has to family values, or morals, Who would want such a person to be running the country, an old saying, once a liar!! always a liar!! Just another stupnagel, stepping into the shoes of bill clinton, disgraceful, and sinful and very sad indeed!!!!

Answer 3

Friend stated he is insane to say he did it when his wife was in remission.   that said he is a nut.  i have taken the blame for something a friend did and have spoken an untruth to save someone the agony, but never would i betray someone like this.  Yo are correct if someone does this then they are capable of anything as we have learned.  Thanks for a heart felt question.  Coffee?  Just kidding.  Take care.

Answer 4

I wont say I "know" the answer, but I worked in politics and been around people in general long enough to know that politicians always lie. More about the important things than the stuff that wont really affect you. He had an affair. Yeah, messes with his wife and family but how does that affect you?

Now, think about a politician who says he wont raise taxes. Instead, he raises all kinds of fees that you cant avoid paying. In essence, they are taxes. They are not income taxes, but they are money the government takes to run the government (which is, in all aspects a tax).

How about the politician who wont reveal who their backers are? What about the one who wont reveal their personal income? They all have things to hide and they all had to sell out to get where they are. Personally, I'd rather someone have an affair, which nearly 50 percent of the married US does anyway than pass laws that allow corporate criminals to get away with massive oil profits.

When it comes to voting, pay closer attention to your local elections. City Councils, mayors, etc. They're less likely to have been turned into these primped and ridiculous muppets of what might have once been real people

Answer 5

This exposes The B***S*** view that most people have that some people lie and others don't.  We ALL lie on a weekly basis, sometime very small, sometimes a larger lie.  Sometimes to protect others, sometimes for ourselves.  People tend to think that the world is black and white, some people are good, some people are bad.  It's not as simple as that.  Judge people by their whole record, not one event.