Why Do We Call these People "Honorable"?
13 February 2007
Editor, The Washington Post
1150 15th St., NW
Washington, DC 20071
Dear Editor:
E. J. Dionne writes: "As for the politicians, we have created a system that encourages many in their ranks to adjust their convictions to their political needs. And then we denounce them" ("Litmus Test for Hypocrisy," Feb. 13).
True, the political process does encourage unrealistic expectations among voters. But politicians nevertheless deserve unrelenting scorn. No one is forced to seek political office; the system attracts persons whose moral lights are especially dim and distorted. Ordinary people simply could not bear to behave in ways necessary to win elections.
Sincerely,
Donald J. Boudreaux
Chairman, Department of Economics
Enterprise Hall
George Mason University
Editor, The Washington Post
1150 15th St., NW
Washington, DC 20071
Dear Editor:
E. J. Dionne writes: "As for the politicians, we have created a system that encourages many in their ranks to adjust their convictions to their political needs. And then we denounce them" ("Litmus Test for Hypocrisy," Feb. 13).
True, the political process does encourage unrealistic expectations among voters. But politicians nevertheless deserve unrelenting scorn. No one is forced to seek political office; the system attracts persons whose moral lights are especially dim and distorted. Ordinary people simply could not bear to behave in ways necessary to win elections.
Sincerely,
Donald J. Boudreaux
Chairman, Department of Economics
Enterprise Hall
George Mason University
Posted by Don Boudreaux on
Friday October 19, 2007 at 10:12am