The Western tradition of believing in a God who answers prayers has shaped an odd expectation in our politics: that we can elect leaders who will grant us prosperity, safety, and comfort as if by divine intervention.
We pray for lower prices, higher wages, less crime, and better parks—and expect politicians to deliver them without cost, effort, trade-offs or effort on our part. This mindset rewards those who promise miracles over those who explain realities.
Why do politicians lie to us?
Because when they tell the truth—that fixing one problem usually means accepting another, that “more of this” (healthcare, for instance) requires “more of that” (taxes)—we punish them at the polls. We tell prospective candidates, If you don't lie to us, we won't vote for you and then act surprised when we find that they've been lying to us.
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