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Santos is Not Evil … He is Sick

Santos is Not Evil … He is Sick

The more I hear of Congressman George Santos’ lies, they all seem to have one purpose – to make himself more important … more involved … more relevant … to others. 

It is obviously to impress people.  As I followed his story in the press – I suddenly realized that there are a lot of George Santoses in the world – but they usually do not gain the kind of positions that draw media attention to their prevaricating habit.

They lie to connect to others and to draw attention.  I have known a number of such people. 

We had a candidate for mayor of Chicago who claimed to have seen the alien bodies at Roswell.  He said he was picked up while hitchhiking by President Kennedy – in the presidential limousine, no less.  He claimed to be a multimillionaire businessman and would make major donations to other candidates.  He made none. He once told me that the several “Remington bronzes” in his office were originals worth hundreds of thousands of dollars each.  As a one-time antique dealer, I knew they were reproductions worth a couple hundred bucks, if that.  Of course, he was a descendant of royalty.  His fabrications were endless.

My son had a friend.  A nice kid by all measures.  But he told endless lies about himself in order to relate.  No matter what subject you raised, he would tell of his experience – all made up.

I am not talking about a person telling a lie now and then.  These types tell lies now AND then.  And in most cases, their lies are easily disproved or absurd on the face of them.  

I have come to appreciate that these types are not evil.  They are pathetic.  It does not take a psychiatrist to know that they suffer … really suffer … from low self-esteem.  The lies are pathetic attempts to inflate their importance and/or to establish personal connections based on shared experiences, even if they are invented experiences.  Ironically, those who create these lies are trying to be empathic – reinforcing or validating the other person’s statements.

The lies are not always for monetary gain.  In the case of my son’s friend, he was eager to give people money or gifts – often picking up the tab.  It was always a matter of ingratiation.  He wanted people to like him for his generosity and his tales.

If confronted or challenged about the disinformation, I have found that the response is often merely a shrug, as if the lies are not important.  Never an admission.  

The phenomenon of serial lying among some folks has been captured in literature.  The story of a fictional comedic German character, Baron von Munchausen, was based on his outrageously notorious lies about his exploits and accomplishments.  There was also Walter Mitty, who placed himself in imagined situations completely out of character.  These were fictional characters founded on human reality.

I think folks who are victimized – yes, victimized —  into such creativity are more pathetic than sinister.  The habit is founded in mental issues – and is almost always self-damaging.

Based on everything I have read about Santos – and all my experiences with such pervasive liars – I believe he is the victim of his own mental condition – a self-image and self-esteem he cannot live with.  Ergo, the creation of the fictional person.

Having said all that, I am not saying that Santos’ lies should be ignored.  Lies must still have consequences.  And on any occasion where his lies were more malicious and may have led to criminal activities, the law must be consistent. 

If Santos has violated the campaign finance laws … has embezzled or stolen money … the issue goes beyond chronic bullshitting.  He must be held accountable.  Those are separate issues from the constant fibs. 

We will have to see how the various investigations play out.  Personally, I do not believe that he should be forced out of Congress.  I have never liked political leadership nullifying the manifest will of the people – even if that will of the people was arguably based on deception.  It is more likely, however, that voters supported him for his stand on the major issues – not his biography.   That is almost always the case.  Unfortunately for Santos, it is the lies that make the biography relevant.

 However… I do believe he should resign his seat.  He can still vote according to the wishes of the folks who elected him.  His staff can still perform constituent services.  But … he has lost public confidence.  The voters should get another chance to elect a replacement.  Upon resignation, the New York Governor would have 10 days to announce a special election.  That would be the best outcome for all concerned.

In the meantime, we should pity Santos as a person with obvious mental issues.

So, there ‘tis.

About The Author

Larry Horist

So,there‘tis… The opinions, perspectives and analyses of Larry Horist Larry Horist is a businessman, conservative writer and political strategist with an extensive background in economics and public policy. Clients of his consulting firm have included such conservative icons as Steve Forbes and Milton Friedman. He has served as a consultant to the Nixon White House and travelled the country as a spokesman for President Reagan’s economic reforms. He has testified as an expert witness before numerous legislative bodies, including the U. S. Congress. Horist has lectured and taught courses at numerous colleges and universities, including Harvard, Northwestern, DePaul universities, Hope College and his alma mater, Knox College. He has been a guest on hundreds of public affairs talk shows, and hosted his own program, “Chicago In Sight,” on WIND radio. Horist was a one-time candidate for mayor of Chicago and served as Executive Director of the City Club of Chicago, where he led a successful two-year campaign to save the historic Chicago Theatre from the wrecking ball. An award-winning debater, his insightful and sometimes controversial commentaries appear frequently on the editorial pages of newspapers across the nation. He is praised by readers for his style, substance and sense of humor. According to one reader, Horist is the “new Charles Krauthammer.” He is actively semi-retired in Boca Raton, Florida where he devotes his time to writing. So, there ‘tis is Horist’s signature sign off.

10 Comments

  1. Tzione

    He didn’t say he was Jewish. He has a Jewish relative & said he was Jewish-ish

  2. foxy

    Santos is as SICK as the pretending president of the United States. They they may be RELATED 🤔🤔🤔🤔 😮😮😮😮 !!

  3. Frank stetson

    Now, rerun the story, replacing the word Santos with Trump.

    Amazing that Larry could not draw the comparison.

    Then again, Larry believes that a voters elect someone based on deception that that person should be allowed to remain in office. More amazing.

    in any company in the world, if you lie to get your job, once they find out, you’re gone in a heartbeat. Let that be the standard.

    If you buy something based on a lie, you will get your money back one way or another, even if you have to take it to court.

    Allowing serial liars, whatever the reason, and either Congress or the executive office is inexcusable.

    • larry Horist

      Frank Stetson … You just cannot get away from you Trump whataboutism. Are you really unable to deal with the subject … period? If we recalled all politicians who won office by deception — of what they claim or what they hide — we would have very few office holders. Biden buried the Hunter issues. Nixon won a huge election just before being booted. Illinois had a governor elected by denying criminality and they went to jail later. One the election is decided, I prefer they remain in office unless the people remove them. That is why I prefer the recall process.

      • Frank stetson

        What whatabouism. You talked serial liar as if it’s rare for republicans. Your leader was the biggest serial liar ever. He even covered his lies with lies over and over. Just seemed a strange and obvious omission. . Come on man, you don’t see a correlation, a trend, maybe even a republican requirement for vetting?

        Wow, you can forgive a lot. When it favors you. Look at all your buddies lining up to say, it’s ok, everyone is doing it.

        We impeached a dem on a lie. About a legal blowjob.

        A president.

        What’s in your wallet?

    • larry Horist

      Frank Stetson … I hate to call you out, but YOU are a effing liar. I know you obsessively read everything I write, so I know you have seen the articles in which a expressed my critical opinions on Trump’s personality — his prevarications and pugnaciousness. Suggesting that I have not address Trump ‘s negatives is a lie — unless you are having cognitive issues and honestly cannot recall what you read in the past. If that is the case, I apologize. Trump is not a part of every political story except to obsessed hardcore left-wingers like you. You have never been able to stick to the topic without distracting with attacks on Trump, Republicans, conservatives and the mythical me of your lying imagination. I guess I will have to put you in the corner with the dunce cap again until you can dialogue honestly, politely and intelligently.

  4. George

    So he lied. Name one politician who hasn’t! Let’s start with Joe Biden. ALL of his lies are on video, the “news” OR packed away in his Delaware archives All the rest come out of his own mouth when he attempts to speak to the press”.

    • Sam

      His little monkey is always having to fix his lies.

  5. EMMA

    YES WE HAVE WAY TO MANY POLITICIANS WHO LIE EVERY DAY, WHO LACK BACKBONE TO STAND UP FOR OUR COUNTRY. BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN WE NEED ANOTHER LIAR AND TRAITOR.

  6. Frank stetson

    When he lies about his finances, campaign finances, and submits federal forms with a forged signature and his own false signature which proves he was brought into Congress under an assumed name which is not the name on his new forms, Larry — what makes you think his policy stands are nothing more than lies?

    Where did the 760k come from if not a personal lian?

    McCarthy knew this before November and let it go.

    What a circus, gotta live the clowns.

    There’s a sucker born every minute. Happy Birthday Larry 😁

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