This is the world I live in now. Not telling the truth isn’t a big deal. It’s almost fashionable to lie. There are no repercussions. There is no price to pay. Even when liars are called out on their lies – with evidence staring them in their faces – they get away scot-free. The liars don’t feel ashamed or repentant. They go on the offensive and accuse everyone and their grandmothers of making up lies about them.

People with criminal charges levelled at them become celebrities. Even better, they are appointed as consultants and presidents of political parties. They cheat, they steal and they squander. And, these very people manage to capture huge support bases. Who supports them and why?

For sure, I am not the only one asking these questions. I don’t understand this lot (the liars, the thieves, the self-serving). They are supposed to be role models by virtue of the positions they hold. Call me silly but I expect a level of integrity from heads of countries, top business executives and community leaders. I expect accountability not impunity and repeated impunity. I expect diplomacy not heavy handedness. I expect decorum not rudeness. I expect a moral GPS not moral absentia.

I do white lies. As most of us do at some time or other. It doesn’t excuse us and neither do I condone it. But many of us are not Prime Ministers or Presidents, chief executive officers of corporations or chairpersons of associations. Being in public office and in positions of power (elected, nominated or employed) places this lot on a different, higher level of responsibility and answerability.

Even more, I don’t understand the legions of supporters of this lot. I know people are different. We have varied views and opinions. We have diverse perspectives and perceptions. It is indeed welcomed but it is sparklingly clear this is a bad lot, at least to me . This lot should not have powers to pass laws that polarise, divide and treat people unjustly. This lot should not be allowed to impose unilateral actions on sovereign countries, and not care about the repercussions of their actions. This lot should not be allowed to abuse people, especially individuals and communities, who are already in dire situations.

I have a few theories. There is support for this lot because the alternatives are worse? I don’t know. Maybe. But this lot comprises really bad to the core apples. Apples with proven rotten track records that are really quite difficult to overlook or dismiss. They have committed too many documented wrongs on so many levels. It’s just not possible to forgive or forget and move on.

Supporters of this lot expect to enjoy special privileges and rewards. Maybe. But, this is a self-serving lot, who have no qualms about pushing many humans under the bus. They buy votes, literally, with promises they have no plans to keep. It’s this today and something else tomorrow.  There is no consistency. No value to their words. This lot is only going to do what benefits them.

Supporters of this lot are swayed and persuaded by messaging that may not be true but resonate with them. This lot’s teams of lawyers, spin doctors and enforcers craftily leverage media and influence the grass roots with convincing economic and social plans, and reforms to build the nation and the people. The teams subvert the truth, sugar-coat the lies, malign opponents and shut-up dissent.

And, the really scary theory is this lot’s supporters genuinely believe in them. Flag waving, hat wearing and T-shirt emblazoned multitudes of people earnestly backing this lot are evident, locally and the world over. They donate their hard-earned monies, sign petitions, attend rallies and march the streets voicing their support. Some even at the expense of being tear gassed, shot at or killed. Unwavering belief, commitment and trust in this lot.

How? Why? I don’t understand. I suppose like-minded people like me are flummoxed. Just like the like-minded people that support this lot are dumbfounded with people, who cannot fathom their allegiance. But am I wrong in believing that truth, integrity, accountability, diplomacy, decorum and a functioning moral compass are values and virtues that we, as human beings, should live by or at least try to adhere to, and not make a mockery of? I hope not.