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Comment by randlet | Hacker News Reader

You're shocked I expect politicians to enact policies in good faith and then abide by them themselves?

edit: I'm no longer surprised they act this way, but it still angers me greatly.

I think OP’s point is that the governor’s hypocrisy is evidence that the sensible public health policy is actually wrong, rather than evidence that the governor simply sees himself as above the rules. Which one is more likely?

I'm not sure if you're referring to me as OP or easytiger but my point is I have the (completely reasonable!) expectation that elected officials will act with integrity with regards to the policies they enact.

I was referring to easytiger. That’s the tragedy of this: People will look at this and conclude that the rules are ridiculous, rather than conclude that the governor is simply an asshole. And this conclusion will cost lives unnecessarily. (R) political leaders are already amplifying this conclusion, to the detriment of public health. Thanks, Newsom.

Thanks for your rewording. Yes that was my intent.

I do also however do not quite agree with your assertion of "costing lives", but that is another discussion.

Thanks for clarifying. I agree with your assessment.

If these politicians had any compunction, they would repeal the restrictions which experience had taught them were intolerable.

I'm shocked that people don't apply the basic principles of human nature. The rules are ridiculous. Some people will see that. Politicians are implementing policy because that's what they need to be seen to be doing, not because they honestly believe it should apply universally. Ergo some politicians will be found in a state of hypocrisy.

The man responsible for much of the policy in the west, a UK advisor l, was caught breaching the rules to have sex with a married woman.

Please note I did not include a judgement on whether the rules are justified or not. Whether or not they are justified, if an elected official enacts a rule they expect others to follow, you can be damn sure I expect them to have the integrity to follow it themselves.

> if an elected official enacts a rule they expect others to follow, you can be damn sure I expect them to have the integrity to follow it themselves.

That isn't a rational position. Someone's office (in modern terms more a "job" than historically was the case) is irrelevant to their behaviour, as with any and all people.

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