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There are instances when lies are justifiable--only in the circumstances, not as a general rule. And as much as equality-loving citizens may chafe at it, sometimes leaders do know better (i.e., more knowledge and/or more brains) than we do, and thus will want to do things that average joe thinks is unnecessary or foolish. Of course such a power will be abused by the wicked, but what necessary or good thing do the evil not f*** up for everyone else?

Whatever type of system of government you're describing, it isn't representative government. This issue stikes at the very heart of where just government derives its powers: from the 'Consent of the Governed'.

That isn't what the American people signed up for when they entered into the contract known as the Constitution.

"There are instances when lies are justifiable". Like when parents tell their children that Santa Claus exists?

Mr. Sobran seems to argue to hard issues, issues which many in our society have long forgotten even exist. Such a condition brings constant violation of very nearly every rule of law, principle of religion, and even common sense itself. As individuals and as a society, we have ceased to examine issues and actions. Indeed, Mr. Sobran has become a common target, of what I regard as a mob, simply because he has the audacity to raise an issue.

I gained a certain perception of 'mob' from the text by Jose Ortega Y Gasset-The Revolt of the Masses. This man described the historical transition of society from one of a more fixed and layered structure, accepted, willingly employed, and appreciated for its inherent value and utility by all, to our current circumstance where rabble ( fools with no credentials beyond their mere existance ) presume a position beyond their capacities. Certain consequences ensue, & thus this man wrote a short text on the obvious. This extreme turn has been in process for so long now, its results very nearly cease to shock anyone. Indeed, those who point to the issue are regarded as strange-which is another of Mr. Gasset's consequences. So recently has society turned this corner completely, that we must be reminded that even a recent major civil rights leader ( circa 1965? ) admonished his followers in the midst of one of his most famous speeches, to respect societal structure by accepting the 'work ethic', and the desired rewards would come faster than they realized, with fewer negative consequences.

The consequences of these changes which gain my attention have become the ends of all modern government and are the irreversable and complete control of our society and total taxation of every economic event-but that is a distraction from the article above.

I think the import of this article is simply that, when lying by governmental officials becomes the rule ( and it does seem to have become pervasive ), we have a very real problem. One of a magnitude which is beyond the normal scope of the rules of governmental procedures. That would have very great implications-all bad.

...sometimes leaders do know better (i.e., more knowledge and/or more brains)...

Mencken said it better than I can:

“The theory behind representative government is that superior men--or at all events, men not inferior to the average in ability and integrity--are chosen to manage the public business, and that they carry on this work with reasonable intelligence and honesty. There is little support for that theory in the known facts.” -- H.L. Mencken

Regards

J.R.