Why do politicians apologize?

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Once in a while, well actually all to often there is some headline of a Government official or CEO of a large company publicly apologizing for their actions. Its usually about some scandal or fraud. Everyone, especially in the public eye makes an "opps" saying something either in public or social media that they apologize for, which I have all the respect for, it happens to the best of us, but i'm talking about the scandals that go on behind clothes door for years before they are exposed. The scandals that, said apologizing person is well aware of.
I got to thinking the other day, why even bother apologizing. "i'm truly sorry and embarrassed by my actions" What a load of BS. They knew what they were doing was wrong and usual illegal. It went on for years and they probably profited from it. If they are embarrassed now, why were then not embarrassed then and stopped from doing what they were doing. I just wish that they would say what they actually meant
"i'm embarrassed I got caught" and "yes I made a lot of money, no i don't care about the moral implications of what I did, and Yea, I probably screwed over a lot of people and even though on the surface i'm trying to make things right I don't really care"
#family #parenting #political
  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    I think it's politicians and pundits that do this.

    There are times when a revealing or embarrassing event or statement was accidental or not known to have happened - and an honest apology goes a long way.

    Most times it is an attitude rather than error. It's not "I didn't mean to say/do that" but really is "I though I could get by with doing/saying that". There are so many of those it's hard to tell when an apology is truly an expression of regret. Some never apologize - they try to justify their actions or comments instead.
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Apologies make us think that they actually give a rip. You notice, they never say they are sorry for something until the public outrage hits - once they've been caught. If they made money from what they did, they aren't sorry about much other than the fact they are eating crow for it.
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    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

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    • Profile picture of the author lcombs
      Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

      Apologies make us think that they actually give a rip. You notice, they never say they are sorry for something until the public outrage hits - once they've been caught. If they made money from what they did, they aren't sorry about much other than the fact they are eating crow for it.
      One of my "favorites" was the senator, (don't recall his name), but, he made his apology for cheating then walked to his wife and kids about 10' away well within camera, and had a group hug.
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  • Profile picture of the author socialentry
    If I were a politician I would never apologize for anything even if I start the third world war
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    I guess campaigns should go like:

    When I **** things up so royally and you are calling me stupid and corrupt - remember you're the ones who put my dumb, corrupt ass in here and left it here.

    LOL - not sure that would get votes, but it would be truth in the campaigns.
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    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    "Bridgegate" is interesting. Chris was a major contender, etc... He was given a chance to run, and declined. Then SANDY came and he lied and betrayed and threw it all down the toilet. A lot of support ************VANISHED*********** in perhaps SECONDS! I know he lost MY support that quickly. And NOW some talk like bridgegate will do what he so willingly did LONG ago?

    "apologies" come SO easily because THAT has ALSO been redefined. An apology is now simply lying about how you feel about some perception that another has that you may have wronged them or let them down in some way. They do it in hopes that it will engender enough doubt that they can overcome the negative aspects of what happened.

    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author tradtke
    I agree, Its almost an excepted fact that every politician is going to screw someone over at some point. Why can they get the apology over with during the election. At least they would be being honest. There like a car mechanic. You know you need them, you know when you go to one your going to get screwed in form or another. The only difference is they never apologize.
    I'm the type of person that tells it as it is. I'd be a horrible politician.
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