What should our expectations be of political candidates?

[GoodGame]

I honestly, in all seriousness, don't expect them to do much else except entertain me.

What do you expect actors and comedians to do for you?



I expect politicians to have more than half-a-brain, to surround themselves with trustworthy experts, to not pretend to know more than they do, and to not try to rob us blind. And to generally work towards the common good, even if they do put silver in their own pockets.

 

[Archbob]

Is this mean you're gonna vote for Cain?

I might if he gets the republican nomination just so I can tell future generations that I lived through the terrifying "Reign of Cain".

 

[Whiskey_Lord]

Hypothetical lie detectors that function perfectly, or are real lie detectors good enough?

IIRC, Penn and Teller demonstrated that it was easy enough to throw off a lie detector by contracting your anal sphincter.

 

[El_Machinae]

Can't you easily cheat on lie detectors though?

Hypothetical lie detectors that function perfectly, or are real lie detectors good enough?

It's a technology that's in the process of improving. So, current lie detectors for now, better lie detectors as the techniques arrive. Run properly, it would lead to a system of increasingly honest political candidates.

 

[Zelig]

IIRC, Penn and Teller demonstrated that it was easy enough to throw off a lie detector by contracting your anal sphincter.

That seems easy enough to detect.

 

[pob]

I would like politicians to at least try to stick to their manifesto.

 

[galdre]

This seemed applicable to this thread

Spoiler :

 

[Quackers]

Expectations of politicians: carry out there manifesto they have been voted on (UK specific).

 

[galdre]

Expectations of politicians: carry out there manifesto they have been voted on (UK specific).

that certainly is applicable in the US as well - I can't take what any politician says seriously, since I know they won't deliver on it if they make it into office

 

[timtofly]

Yes, I agree. The current system rewards people who say meaningless platitudes over those who tell the truth. What we truly want (in a meta way) are honest politicians who know their limitations. This is why we need a sea change in what we demand from them. Right now, the maverick politician cannot win. But he'd win if everyone was handicapped so that they had to play honestly.

While I agree with you (somewhat). I think it is more important to know what one is running for. We have kidded ourselves into believing that a lie will never "catch" us. Even a liar can pass a lie detector test (pathologically) or even (ignorantly). If a person did know why he was in politics and stuck with what he knew, then voting would make more sense; than if we voted for who we "thought" represented us.

Not to mention the fact that the "president" was not the one "in control", but a check and balance system to the other two "branches". We may as well vote for dictators or kings and just "think" we have a representative who has our best interest at heart.

I would not expect any more out of who represents me, than I would expect of myself if I were to be in that position. To be truly democratic, one would not vote to elevate their own opinions over those of others, but to allow all to enjoy the same freedoms and responsabilities as is afforded equally. There is a difference between protecting society and putting one social norm above another social norm.

 

[Mr. Dictator]

I'd really just like them to not lie. Also, when they do lie, for their base to abandon them.

 

[Trev]

Debating is not an essential skill of a politician. The ability to assimilate information, make sound political choices and administer a state or country is far more important. People should pay far more attention to Perry's period as governor of Texas than his debating skills. A person under pressure in a forum like debating that he performs badly in will have increased risk of brain freezes. It does not reflect on his ability to govern. Far too much has been made of this issue.