Salt-Shaker Press Civics Lesson 1: Common Tactics Politicians Use to Disguise Their Actions

 

Politicians can employ a variety of tactics to obscure their actions from public scrutiny.  

Here are some common methods:

Obfuscation:

• Vague Language: Using overly complex or technical jargon in speeches or legislation makes it difficult for the public to understand the true meaning or implications.
• Misdirection: Focusing on peripheral issues or emotional appeals to distract from the actual matter at hand.

Limited Transparency:

• Opaque Funding: Taking advantage of loopholes in campaign finance laws to obscure the sources of donations or how funds are spent. This can involve "dark money" groups that don't disclose their donors.
• Closed-Door Meetings: Conducting important negotiations or discussions behind closed doors, limiting public access and accountability.
• Redacted Documents: Releasing public documents with key information blacked out, hindering complete understanding.

Exploiting Loopholes:

• Earmarks: Adding unrelated spending provisions to unrelated bills, often for personal gain or to benefit certain donors.
• Super PACs: Utilizing political action committees (PACs) with looser regulations to raise and spend unlimited amounts of money on campaigns, potentially influencing politicians' decisions.

Controlling the Narrative:

• Friendly Media: Cultivating relationships with certain media outlets that portray them favorably and downplay any negative actions.
• Social Media Manipulation: Using social media to spread disinformation, bots, or to create a one-sided narrative about their actions.

It's important to note that not all of these tactics are illegal. However, they can be unethical and hinder transparency in government.

Here are some ways to stay informed:

• Fact-checking websites: Use reputable sources to verify information from politicians and the media.
• Campaign finance databases: Research campaign contributions to see who is funding politicians.
• Independent media outlets: Seek diverse viewpoints beyond those presented by mainstream media.
• Public meetings and town halls: Attend events where you can hear directly from politicians and ask questions.

By staying informed and critically evaluating information, you can become a more engaged citizen and hold politicians accountable for their actions.