Do you prefer an incapable honest politician or a very smart but dishonest one?

I can only speak for my country, but given the nature of the intended form of government our founders established, and given the nature of it today? lol, I'll take an honest idiot. I wouldn't go as far as utterly incomitent, but considering the original intent of our federal government, one does not need to be a genious to run it. The federal government was intended and formed as an agent of our states, with very limited responsabilities and authority. With such limitations, we did not need lawyers and scholars running it. I would argue that it is when we started electing more colligiate intelectual types that our government started going down hill magicly granted itself powers never intended, resulting in more corruption which fed on itself. The legislature in my state is one unique to the rest of the country. Our state legislature is a volunteer job, they only make about a hundred bucks a year (plus travel milage) and then they all go back to their regular jobs when the session is done. the terminology is called "citizen legislature". This was essentialy what our founders originaly established. This is what we should be going back to.

This is a really tough one, I would say none of them, both are equally dangerous for the future of any country, the honest incapable is really bad, because, he can be the most honest person and have really good intentions, but if he doesn't know what he is doing, it can cost a lot to the people, there is a saying in my country that said something like this " they way to hell is paved with good intentions", in order to be a politician you need skills, on the other hand the smart one but dishonest, is equally dangerous, because this one would be corrupt and would probably steal millions of dollars because he is smart and won't get caught. In my opinion both parts will achieve the same bad results one for dishonesty and the other one for incompetent.

How do you differentiate between the two? It seems to me, either one would do harm to the country, one for personal gain and the other out of stupidity. Either way, we get the short end of the stick. And what does it say of us if we choose such politicians?

The term "politician" has become synonamous with liar, dishonesty, and corruption. Rightfully so, given today's Congress and the evil usurper in the WH. We in American have allowed the lowest of the low to ascend into positions of power, because we have accepted a low standard. This shows our own level of stupidity and lack of moral fiber as well. We prefer deception to truth, criminal behavior to moral character and accountability. It's either the cream or the scum that rises to the top, and in the case of politicians, it's truly the scum. "Intelligent" and "smart" are not words I'd ever use to describe any politician I know of today. Sneaky, crafty, mean, greedy, power-mongering, thieves, criminal, and totally bereft of character would be most accurate. Such as these is not smart. The choices you present are like a false dichotomy. An honest politician, though currently a contradiction in terms, would be the best man for the job, because today's powermongers haven't a nodding acquaintance with the truth. Why would anyone consider a dishonest person "qualified" for any position of leadership? A liar is a liar, is a liar........NO INTELLIGENCE there. An honest, loving, God-fearing, thus wise man would be the only right choice for the job. Unfortunately, there are too few around and they would not lie, cheat, steal, etc. to win the "popularity contest" that is now the low bar for leadership.

I would prefer the honest politician - absolutely. I think it is often the case that there are intelligent and honest politicians who are overlooked because they refuse to be drawn into the corrupted, tainted system which currently exists. They are not necessarily less "able" - just less willing to sell themselves for money and power, and therefore receive fewer opportunities.

This question assumes that intelligence requires dishonesty. I know many politicians that are both smart and so far I have not caught them lying about anything. The problem is we never get to hear from them in the media, we focus on the idiots and consummate lyers because they know how to get attention. As an American we seem to lean towards the dishonest and not to bright. As a country we have made it unacceptable in our society to be bright and informed. We have made stupid and proud of it a national mantra. This is apparent by our schools, media, and our politics.

To be honest your question is very hard to answer. All the option above are not positive. In order for the politician to be effective in his duty as servants of the people he must be knowledgeable about laws and how to carry on his duties. But if I have to choose I would rather choose the one who is honest but lack the skills because he has still have plenty of time to learn...the most important thing is that he is honest and not corrupt.

Personally I don't care for politicians of any kind. In fact I believe the politician is the worst thing that has ever happened to this country. We need people to run this country but they need to be paid employees that can be fired on a minutes notice on any level. The people need to take a more active roll and get off their buts and start running this country themselves instead of just whining about the way things are. That's my 2 cents worth on that subject. Art

You just can't trust a corrupt politician. They'll promise one thing and do another. They'll put themselves first, their political party second, and the country last. Even if a particular politician isn't especially clever, at least you know what to expect. Besides, an honest politician is probably more receptive to good advise.

hi ra, that is correct if the leaders/polititians are intelligent they can rule the country and they also so corrupted and dishonest to the govt and people also,they see only their selfishness,but good and sinsere leaders will not capable of rule the country,may be common but some of the leader have that capacity to rule the country,have a nice day

I would prefer an incapable honest politician rather than a dishonest and smart one...because Even though his in not good as a politician he will at least hire a person capable to assist him with his work and take only honest decision. But a dishonest one has very little chances that he will do any thing for the country.

I don't think I would want to have either, but I would probably go with the honest idiot because at least that guy wouldn't have any chance of steering my country in a bad direction to suit his own agenda