Why do people say they want honest politicians but they really don't want them?

great question, victor.

you have summarized the mindset of most voters, be they republicans or democrats, and you have done so quite well. Sadly, volumes of material can be (and has been) written on this topic. The last really honest politician was president jimmy carter (and i can hear thousands of republicans at this very moment screaming i'm crazy). Back in the 70's, when inflation was up around 15%, and america faced gas lines stretched around the block, and the cost of living was soaring, jimmy carter laid it all out on the line: america's ways were contributing to much of her problems. Jimmy said america needed to change, and instead of heeding his warnings, his critics (not all of them republicans) "strung him up", so to speak. For speaking the honest truth, he was vilified as being out of touch with the voters, his speech being called his "Malaise speech". In truth, carter did what you suggest---he was an honest politician (though he didn't give this speech while running for office; if he had he wouldn't have been elected, as you suggest). Sadly, you are equally correct in predicting the rosy-picture-candidate will defeat the honest politician every time. America is heading for a fall as a world power if we do not change, and people giving me a thumbs down only proves your point---people don't want the truth, they don't want to accept any part of the blame, and are quick to demean and denigrate anyone who challenges their hypocrisy.

They obviously do not want to know the truth, because it huts, and truthful measures exact a fair amount of honest effort and sacrifice on the parts of others. They seems to want validation that the system, for which many of them as well as the politicians have opted, really works. Of course it can never work. It is programmed to ultimate destruction, but they keep hoping that they can eventually come up with one more measure that will resolve the fundamental flaw or flaws in it. In short, they are in denial.

It is lucky you posted this question, asking fro a psychological cause, under the heading of politics and government and not under psychology. Otherwise you might be receiving the equivalent of political nonsense from psychology and from psychologists themselves. They too are part of the system of deception. It is not until the system is over altogether than people really will receive honest answers and promises and word of honour that are actually honoured.

About the time our founding fathers were writing the Constitution, a person in Great Britain wrote that democracy can only be a temporary thing and never a permanent thing because sooner or later the voters will realize that they can vote themselves money out of the state treasury. That is what has happen in this country. People vote for whomever will give them the fastest and most personal satisfaction. The politicians who love their jobs are very willing to please.

Because most people are ignorant and/or apathetic. They really don't understand what freedom is. They think they want freedom, but at the same time, they look to their politicians for all the "free" crap being offered them. And so, they sell themselves into bondage.

At the same time, most people can't be bothered to actually educate themselves about what our politician have been doing to us. They would rather watch the ball game, or soap operas, or ride around in their car with the speakers blaring. They are lazy, and because they are lazy, they are loosing their freedom. They are being robbed. They have no one to blame but themselves.

no longer probably the case. Republicans tend to get in subject while they DO tell the certainty - like "that is stupid to grant living house loans to damaging people" - Dems while they lie - like if I spend 1000000000000 taxpayer money unemployment will pass down. Politics starts with asserting what you may desire to to get elected. Now the greater ineffective Entitlement slackers in you objective audience, the fewer probably you are able to tell the certainty. Liberals might desire to declare that 'anybody Lies' to conceal the actuality that in the time of maximum circumstances, Liberals lie plenty greater. Republicans tell lies like "i did no longer sleep with the housekeeper" or "i've got by no ability employed an unlawful alien" Dems tell lies like "we are able to diminish the cost of healthcare by ability of offering it loose to 30 million non payers" & "we try to reform our unlawful immigration regulations" See the version? Liberals & Marxists might desire to lie greater because of the fact they might desire to tell the needy that artwork is non-compulsory & those with capacity that they won't be robbed.

I think issues trump honesty. Honesty is important here and again, but it is issues that are important. Also, politicians lie and say they are honest, and often people believe them.

They are spoiled and sheltered little children in adult bodies today. They want "mommies" and "daddies" to take care of them. A fairy tale prince like they just elected will due. They want "daddy" to pay for everything, or whatever "sugar-daddy" they can corner.

I don't know. When Presidents are honest, they get heat. When they are dishonest, they get heat when the truth comes out.

Damn if you do - damn if you dont...

excellent point.

an illustration of this was Ron Paul.

Trust is the issue.

And no one trusted McCain.

Sorry that is reality........