In the U.S., although I'm sure it's different in Australia, we are constantly having politicians bitten in the butt by recorded statements they made in the past that contradict either reality or statements they're making today.

A recent hullabaloo was about a politician who implied repeatedly that he'd served in the military in Vietnam and he didn't. Oops. And, Representative Barney Frank is saying he never favored the push by the government to require banks to make bad loans for mortgages. Unfortunately, there are tapes of him supporting what he says he never supported.

Now, given the nature of politics, I think there should be a statute of limitations on dredging up statements from the past to embarrass politicians over statements they make today.

In all fairness, I think the statute of limitations should be ten days. If what a politician says today isn't contradicted by something he's said in the last ten days, he's home free and a politically honest man.

Yes, I was reading about the politician, Blumenthal I think his name was who gave the impression he had been in the military in Vietnam. Perhaps he did this to curry favour with a particular group of voters.

Most political lies are told because they are busy selling themselves or an idea.

Many of us lie, exaggerate, or mislead when we are selling something. When I was younger I used to exaggerate my employment history at times to get a job.

Horrible as it is that we tolerate more lies from politicians then anyone we know personally, I can't see a way of stopping them, given the competitive character of a democratic system.

Well, you could do a Tony Abbott, and try to take the heat out of such revelations by admitting in advance that you often do lie in the heat of discussion.

I think it remains to be seen how effective this tactic will be.

Personally, I think a politician (and a person generally) should be allowed to change their mind. As we learn more, become wiser or look at things from another perspective, naturally we should change our mind. We don't form all our opinions at birth, nor do we stop forming views as we grow older, although I am certain some people on this forum will never change some of their opinions! This is a kettle speaking.

However, to intentionally tell an untruth (I'm practicing political correctness today, so I didn't use the word "lie" ) for one's personal gain e.g. to tell an untruth before an election to gain votes, would in most cases probably be unethical.

I think it is usual for many senior people starting a new job, to say "The situation is worse than I knew, so I can't do all I promised." Often there is an element of truth is this, but only partial. To blame ones' predecessor and reduce the expectation of ones' boss, is very common today. Most newly elected Prime Ministers take this approach in Australia. Very few people believe them, but what can we do about it?