One of the evils of American electoral politics is the failure to speak plainly.
By this I do not mean outright lying. We almost all agree that is bad and, generally speaking, politicians try to avoid it. (Generally speaking.) In order to avoid outright lies, politicians take the advice of consultants and marketers, experts in the art of never quite answering any question and twisting facts in a way that benefits them. This is weasel talk, and what I mean by the failure to speak plainly.
This practice has built a political culture of weasel talk which most of us have accepted as necessary. To expect otherwise is to be childish or backward. The powers of this world–who believe themselves to be the adults in the room–share weasel talk as their official language. To them, the only thing that matters is their continued hold on power.
Joining in with such power, therefore, should be evaluated carefully by anyone desiring a life of integrity. Weasel talk inevitably leads to moral degradation and, further on but sooner than you expect, the abandonment of truth in pursuit of power.
Having said that, plain-speaking is not a virtue in itself; it must be joined with others.
- Silence: “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin.”
- Love: Love elevates and moderates every virtue.
I do not have any hope that the powers of this age will learn plain-speaking. “But it shall not be so among you.” Few, loving, and plain are the words spoken in the kingdom of God.