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One often overlooked aspect of politics is that the drive for power doesn’t always come from noble intentions. Many politicians can be greedy, dishonest, or even manipulative. A recent example of this is George Santos, a former Representative who has been in hot water for his misleading statements and actions.
On September 5, 2024, Santos took to social media to criticize something called Continuing Resolutions (CRs), which are temporary measures used to keep the government running when a full budget isn’t in place. He called them a “stark reminder” of how broken the U.S. legislative process has become and criticized them as a sign of congressional gridlock.
At first glance, his comments might seem like a thoughtful critique of a political problem, especially if they came from someone who was genuinely working to fix things. However, given Santos’s background, many people are skeptical of his motivations. Santos, who was expelled from Congress in January 2021, has a history of dishonesty. He has been accused of fabricating his resume, pretending to be Jewish, misappropriating funds from a charity for a dying service dog, and making false claims about his family and personal experiences, among other things.
Recently, Santos pleaded guilty to serious charges including identity theft and wire fraud. He could face up to 8 years in prison, with a maximum possible sentence of over 20 years. Despite his legal troubles and history of deceit, he still seems to believe he has the authority to lecture others about how the government should work.
Santos’s recent statements, where he expressed hope that Congress would overcome its dysfunction and rebuild public trust, seem particularly ironic given his own questionable integrity. Many people online have pointed out the absurdity of his comments, reminding him of his own track record.
In the world of social media, where anyone can voice their opinions and hold figures like Santos accountable, responses to his statements have been harsh. People have even questioned when he might face deportation, though it’s more likely he’ll serve a significant prison sentence.