As we gear up for another political campaign, although this advice is useful at other times and with other people, it becomes more important to look at what a person believes and does than just what he says. Politicians frequently use lies to cover up the truth, and they are adept at audience manipulation. When we made the transition from radio to television campaigns, charisma became very important, as people want to be represented by someone who looks good. Even if you think they sound good, see how it looks on paper.
Proper candidates will speak of things that endorse Life, Liberty, and Property (which is necessary to pursue happiness). Pay attention to their programs, their promises, and their actual lifestyles and weigh whether what they advocate with their words and their wallets actually trends to the protection and expansion of these fundamental rights. Ignore any other 'rights' to which they refer, as they are all, if they really are things to which we have a right, appendages to these larger ideas. Focusing on small portions at the expense of the whole is like telling someone that they're perfectly healthy because their eyes look good even though all their limbs are gangrenous.
Most candidates will talk about and endorse other things. They will either tell you what they think you want to hear or things that will be of benefit specifically to them. Any benefit you happen to get will be coincidental and not purposed. Many of them do this because they want to be reelected. This is inconsistent with people like Adams and Jefferson who stuck to principles and risked defeat in elections for standing firm. What a candidate says in his ad tells you much more about how he views you than it tells you about him.
As we rely more on television, elections become slanted increasingly to a cult of personality. Kennedy and Clinton did very well because women thought they were attractive. FDR worked very hard to keep it a secret that he used a wheelchair, because that would make him appear weak. It's mostly not about you as much as it's about the politicians. When we do however get someone willing to do what he believes rather than what will get him elected, they bury Washington with telegrams asking him to desist.
Watch from 2:00 to 6:12 in the clip.
Some of our politicians hasten to liken themselves to this famous Jimmy Stewart character. I have not however seen any of them fight against Taylor-made character assassinations for sticking to principles. In the end, most of them follow the example of Senator Paine and sacrifice to get ahead and stay in Washington. On the eve of Lincoln's 200th birthday, the administration is working as hard as it can to undo the union and destroy what has happened since Lincoln was born.
It takes a lot less effort to destroy than to create. It takes a lot less effort to lie and pass the buck than to keep your promises or evaluate what you actually can deliver. The man who promises to do all he can to enhance your life, liberty, and ability to pursue happiness is the best man. The rest play parts, clothing their naked villainy in odd old ends stolen forth from holy writ and seem a saint when most they play the devil (Richard III Act I scene iii). They are really about enhancing their own lives. If it costs you, it won't bother them, and if it helps you, they'll surely take the credit. Too often we unjustly ascribe blame to the innocent and credit to spectators. In the end, you are the one who has the most power to improve your life. Remember that.
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