So-Called Role Models

Politicians have a corrupt reputation, and everyone knows it. They seem to have gotten their reputation because the majority of them act dishonest and deceitful. Nearly everyone assumes that politicians will say anything to get elected, and very few will keep their word. Niccolo Machiavelli, in his work, “The Qualities of a Prince,” established a set of values that has basically turned into the modern day politicians’ bible. Although our nation is supposed to be founded upon Thomas Jefferson’s “The Declaration of Independence”, the standards set by it have slowly deteriorated over the years. Having completely opposite points of view on our world leaders, Jefferson would probably have quite an argument against the principles set forth by the beloved Machiavelli.
Jefferson’s and Machiavelli’s ideals are very contradicting of each other. Machiavelli’s whole system of rules is based on insincerity. In his writing he emphasizes the “say one thing do another�...