“The other side (the Republicans) has a level of strictness in following the rules that you can only get over at the highest level,” Democratic operative Scott Forval was caught on hidden camera saying in 2016. Forval knows what he's talking about. His job is to break the rules (voter fraud).
But are Republicans really more honest than Democrats? Well, the distinctive occupations of the two groups may provide some insight.
In an article written this Sunday, commentator Noel S. Williams began by talking about Kamala Harris' egregious evasions at the Democratic National Convention, and listed some of her “big lies” as follows:
Trump wants to destroy Social Security. Trump wants to destroy Medicare. Trump wants a nationwide ban on abortion. Trump encouraged Putin to invade Ukraine (it was Biden who invited the “mini-invasion”).
I would also add that Democrats will often claim that Republicans want to ban contraception and IVF (which, of course, Republicans have not proposed, and have no intention of doing).
Politics is the “art of the possible” (is that a lie?)
Williams then laments that politics attracts “unprincipled people.” (Note in this regard the sociopaths, narcissists, Machiavellians, and perhaps sadists that it attracts too many.) He goes on to point out that the Democratic Party barely has a policy agenda. So, he asks, “What is the ultimate purpose, other than to indulge in the privilege of power?” (Yes, politics also attracts megalomaniacs.)
Williams said that say what you want about Donald Trump, but at least he's outspoken about MAGA policies.
It's not just politics
But Williams also points out that Democrats' lies aren't limited to politics: “There may also be a correlation between perceived dishonesty in occupations and political party affiliation, which is worth considering,” he says. He then uses data from career expert website Zippia to outline the top five areas where Republicans dominate, writing:
The professions with the highest percentage of Republicans are the ones that are widely respected and trusted.
Missionaries – God-inspired zeal, but not much blatant, malicious misconduct. (Some disgraced clergy were not missionaries.) Lumberjacks – not even on the list of dishonest occupations. Truck drivers – not even on the list of dishonest occupations. Roofers – once the contract is made, the roofers themselves have little incentive to “lie” since they risk their own health and safety to reinforce our homes. Masons – No need to lie about building something with bricks, blocks, or stone. Just hard work that is good for the soul, cultivating a labor of love.
The dark half
Williams then introduced the top five Democratic candidates, writing:
Occupations with the largest proportion of Democrats are viewed with more caution.
Labor union organizers – Labor union leaders get a rating of just 24% for honesty and ethics…. Data scientists – There are lies, damn lies, and government statistics. People who work in government are especially bad liars. And some collaborate on studies that can’t be replicated, in part because of “statistical issues.” Environmentalists – Even they acknowledge their hypocrisy. Social workers – … they may be committed to social movements and biased research that justifies funding. And there are many who are determined to help illegal immigrants infiltrate society with various forms of welfare, healthcare, and remedial education. High school teachers – Many are undoubtedly conscientious, but still… their noble cause is corrupted. Too many lie to their students while promoting revisionism (the 1619 Project), wokeism, and gender nonconformity. College teachers are even worse….
To be fair, as is sometimes stated above, there is a big difference between having no “intrinsic need” to lie professionally or having little “incentive” to lie and actually being honest. That being said, as the Democrat Forval confessed above, Republicans do appear to be more honest. What's the explanation?
The story continues
First, let's note that the relationship between Democrats and Republicans is correlational. And what's more important than the party label is what it generally reflects: people's worldview. Democrats tend to be liberal and Republicans are conservative. Furthermore, liberals tend to be atheistic/relativistic and Republicans tend to value more faith and objectivity.
This phenomenon reminds me of a story: At work decades ago, I witnessed a liberal coworker engaging in illegal behavior. A middle-aged, older coworker with a hopelessly self-aware and good sense of humor alluded to his own actions. “Situational values,” he said, glancing at me and chuckling.
Liberals, and unfortunately our entire society in which liberals are rampant, talk a lot about “values” – our distant ancestors did not, they spoke about “virtue”.
Values are relative and, as the Left itself emphasizes, “social constructs,” and therefore easily “situational.” In fact, “situationism” is nothing more than relativism applied impulsively by individuals, not by society or public institutions. To make a rough analogy, if relativism is the cultural climate of our time, then “situationism” is the daily changes in the weather.
Virtues are different: they are objective, elements of truth, and as such were created by God. Honesty is technically a virtue, and those who recognize it as a virtue understand that it is non-negotiable. But considered merely as a value, it is at best a preference, to be ignored when it conflicts with more cherished preferences (e.g., the acquisition of power).
In summary, conservatives are more virtuous, due in large part to their early education. Conservatives are also more likely than liberals to have faith and to believe that morality, including honesty, is objective and non-negotiable. Liberals generally do not truly believe in God or truth. They are defined by moral relativism.
And the ultimate result of relativism is to make everything relative to oneself. One meaning of this is that it is often convenient for oneself to lie.
