Politicians Should Speak Freely - Like They Are Under Oath

Free speech, especially among politicians, should mirror the seriousness of being under oath to uphold accountability and combat the spread of disinformation. In today's world, misinformation spreads like wildfire, eroding trust in institutions and sowing discord among communities.

When politicians prioritize personal or political gain over truthfulness, the consequences are dire, leading to fractured societies and diminished democratic values. By adopting an oath-like approach to their speech, politicians would be held accountable for their words, fostering transparency and trust among constituents.

Accountability would encourage thorough fact-checking and thoughtful discourse, eliminate the harmful effects of falsehoods, and promote a more informed electorate based on facts, not fiction. In essence, conducting free speech with the gravity of being under oath safeguards the integrity of political discourse and strengthens the pillars of democracy upon which society relies.

In the court of public opinion, is it too much to ask that our leaders and politicians speak the truth? Should there be consequences when they routinely spread disinformation and sow distrust in our systems of government and elections?

At the very least, we could stop sending them money and voting for them or anyone who supports them. It's absurd that there are no legal consequences, other than defamation suits, for our leaders (and our media, for that matter) when they intentionally and repeatedly spread misinformation, corrupting civil discourse and undermining our system of government.

Unless we demand more of our politicians (and ourselves) than entertainment and fuel for our bias, our democracy will continue to erode. As citizens, we can help stop this by seeking out the truth and using it to inform our judgment—even if that truth is not what we thought.