A common complaint today laments the “shamelessness” of politicians. Until recently, the argument goes, more elected officials had a sense of shame to hold them back from ugly words and deeds, at least in public. Many in the current crop, however, seem to have no fear of disgrace; they revel in contempt for the niceties of old – unwritten rules against cursing, slander or lying, but also written rules against abuse of power.
The problem isn’t so much a question of bad manners or even of corruption. It’s really about leadership.
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