Steve Mensing, Editor
♦Just about every election season a wolf or two shows up donning the latest in wool. We’re talking about the wolf-in-sheep’s clothes: those unethical individuals who mislead others by omission, falsely claiming allegiance to a part of the political spectrum, and wearing two faces. These are those people we entrust with our votes, contribute money to their campaigns, and work hard for their election. Then once in office the sheep skins come off and they behave in office contrary to their supporter’s interests. If they’re real dyed-in-the-wool wolves they even get angry at us for daring to question their original motives.
Most agree its extremely sleazy to pretend to be someone you’re not and use people to get elected.
These wolves-in-sheep’s clothes or character disordered individuals can be noticed during the pre-election vetting process if we will take the time to ask hard questions and probe these folks backgrounds.
Here is the “Political Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing Test: Vetting the Manipulative Candidate”:
Omission. Does the candidate side-step an important issue? Prior to the campaign, the candidate avoids taking a stance on a very important issue or side-steps the issue by saying they are still undecided about it. Such a response better fire off the alarm bells and red flags. If they avoid such a stance–they will take a stance once elected and its guaranteed to be something you don’t want. (5 skunks)
Two-faced. They say one thing to one person and something entirely different to another. Do they speak conveniently? The buzzer is sounding–a political opportunist is on the loose and they’re want to misappropriate your vote. (5 skunks)
Falsely claims allegiance to a certain part of the political spectrum. Just before the campaign starts they ask people not to mention they belong to this affiliation. RED FLAGS. They are already donning the wooly robes. (5 skunks)
A history of approval seeking. These individuals suffer from approvalitis. They are more likely to wear two faces and falsely claim allegiance to a certain part of the political spectrum just to curry favor. (4 skunks)
Who are their regular political allies? Note who they hang with. Are their allies your allies? If not, they will likely support what you don’t want. This is a strong tipoff Wolfikins is edging up on the henhouse. (5 skunks)
How hard have they actually campaigned for people YOU’VE wanted in the past? They didn’t or they were lukewarm? Think about removing this person from your list. (4 skunks)
Changeable Charley or flip-flopping on major issues. Often this person wavers back and forth on an issue important to you. Is it indecision? Changing your mind on something is okay–but too much back and forth hints problems. Are they riding a fence until the right time–their right time and not yours. This is a slippery cousin of omission. (5 skunks)
They are employed in jobs notorious for ethical bending and misleading customers. Not a good recommendation. (4 skunks)
Do you trust this individual? Does your gut feeling say there’s something off with this individual? (5 skunks)
Do they act in visibly manipulative and controlling ways? Be forewarned. (5 skunks)
Do they try to quash tough questions? Have they thwarted having tough questions asked at political forums for fear their favored candidates might get weeded out? A tipoff. (5 skunks)
Not everyone tells you directly what they stand for until after the votes are counted. Use this litmus for disrobing the wolves.
