The John Adams Society

Christopher T. Wolff

Chairman

Jason D. Hoffman

Secretary

G. Larry Colson Jr.

Chief Whip

Katey Haflund

Chancellor

NOVEMBER 2016

“So, you need both a public and a private position.”

-- Hillary Clinton 

THE TRUTH, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. That is what we demand from those giving testimony, testimony that typically has the ability to impact only a small number of people. Why then do we not demand the same when the ability to affect hundreds of millions is on the line? Politicians, though seldom looked to as paragons of honesty, seem to have increasingly regarded the truth to be whatever their current audience wants to hear.  Ceding any moral authority in the form of a vote to a lying political class only encourages this behavior. 

One philosophical basis for a representative democracy or republic is that the people may select the leaders that best represent them. Politicians who say one thing and do another have sold their voters a bill of goods. Does this not undermine the entire premise of electing leaders? In any event, one need only look at the approval rating of Congress to see that the public at large is disillusioned with the status quo. Perennially un-kept campaign promises are a major reason why.    

ON THE OTHER HAND, is there truly harm done by telling a noble lie to avoid hurting people or to prevent them from hurting others? The vote of the rankest naïve still counts. Perhaps we should encourage politicians who truly share our goals to take “public” positions to pacify low information voters while seeking to actually implement good ideas once in power. The costs of letting the opposition control the pillars of power are simply much greater than the sins of a little, or sometimes big, lie. Besides, if those who get into office are really bad, we can always vote them out next election.

THE CHAIRMAN, starting to chafe from straddling the fence of moral relativism, has called a debate to settle to topic:

RESOLVED: All lies matter.

The Debate will be held on Wednesday, November 2, 2016, at the University Club, 420 Summit Avenue, in Saint Paul. The Chancellor will preside over drinks beginning at seven o’clock p.m. The debate will begin at half past seven. There is no dress code, however gentlemen who wish to speak must wear a tie; ladies are encourage to adhere to a similar sartorial standard. For those gentlemen arriving sans tie yet wishing to discourse on the resolution, the Purveyor of Ties will keep on hand several remarkable selections. Questions regarding debate caucus procedures of about the John Adams Society itself may be directed to the Chairman at (651) 494-9008 or the Secretary at (651) 245-6991.